Page 56 of Ship Happens

“Yeah! I mean, there were also times you both made me sick to my stomach. Like when you’d tickle or play-fight each other on the couch, or how you’d get all lovey-dovey and gross out in public.” Kevin makes a twisted expression, sticking out his tongue. “I say this with every ounce of love I have for you two in my body, you were both so fucking gay.”

“I forgave the earlier homophobia,” Owen teases, “but I’m not sure you’re allowed to say that.”

“But other than that . . .” Kevin continues, ignoring Owen’s dispute of his allyship. “I don’t know, you two sort of gave me the blueprint for what I was looking for in a relationship.” Kevin pauses.

“So . . . what are you saying?”

“That maybe . . . maybe you two are done. Maybe it’s for the best that you spend the rest of your time here working through things, getting to a place where you’re friendlier with each other.”

Is that it, though? Is that all Owen can ever hope for?

“But also . . . I don’t know, you two could find something different. Something new. I think you’re doing yourself a disservice by completely cutting yourself off. It’s obvious you both have a lot of feelings still.”

“And you really think things could end differently?” Owen asks.

Shrugging, Kevin says, “I have no clue, dude. But the way that you two keep bouncing around each other without actually talking . . . that can’t be good. Communication is key in any relationship, Owen.”

“And where did you learn that?”

“Hey!” Kevin throws a defensiveness into his tone. “Believe it or not, cis men are capable of being emotionally mature on their own.”

Owen eyes him. “And if I ask for a photo of the bookshelf in your apartment, there won’t be a copy of All About Love?”

“And now I’m being judged for reading! Unbelievable.” Kevin’s stern expression breaks into a smile as he finally stands. “Listen, all I’m saying is that I think leaving things unsaid is the wrong way to go.”

“I’m not sure if I can be his friend again,” Owen admits. “I don’t know if I’m ready for that.”

Even more than that, he’s not sure it’ll be enough.

“That’s fair.” Kevin nods slowly. “But maybe it’ll be helpful to give him a chance. You never know what’ll happen.”

That’s what scares Owen the most. The unknown, the not knowing. Kevin is probably correct, though. They’re not doing each other any favors by cutting the other out completely. That’s no truce.

“Maybe just try opening yourself up a bit more,” Kevin offers. “Hear him out, what he wants to say to you. It could change things.”

It could. It could make things better.

But it could always end so much worse.

“Now, come on!” Kevin smacks Owen’s shoulder. “We’ll do chest press next!”

“Are you trying to kill me?” Owen groans, rearing his head back.

“We’re in international waters!” Kevin laughs. “What better place to do it?”

Chapter Ten

He’s a Person, He’s a Man

“Look.” Owen holds up a small Santa figure in front of Jacob. “It’s you.”

“How is that supposed to be me?” Jacob asks. “I look nothing like him!”

“There’s the beard.” Owen points out. “And the hair.”

“The pointy red hat, the matching fur-lined suit. And the fact that I’m a symbol invented by the Coke company?”

“Mostly that last part.” Owen smiles softly, setting the Santa statue down.