“And that was the gist of it,” Corey told Scott an hour later when he called. “I hope I convinced him he was not to blame for what his brother did.”
“I’m sure you did. You can convince anyone about anything.”
“Meaning?” Corey asked a bit waspishly, unsure if that was a compliment or a criticism.
Scott laughed. “You persuaded me to take a chance on us.”
“Only because I didn’t want you walking out of my life.”
Corey could almost see Scott lifting an eyebrow when he replied, “Only?”
“Okay. I’d have been a broken shell of a man if you had.”
“Oh my God, Corey, could you be any more dramatic?”
Corey snickered. “Probably, if I tried.”
“You are feeling better. This is a side of you I haven’t seen before.”
“I’m happy, Scott. Happy to have my life back on some sort of even keel. Happy that—” He paused then spoke softly “—that you decided I’m worth taking a chance on.”
“That was an easy decision,” Scott replied just as softly.
“You say that now, but I know there was a time….”
“There was, but never doubt I was more than interested in you above and beyond keeping you safe, even then. I just wasn’t willing to cope with being—” He chuckled. “—undercover in your life. I get enough of that with my job.”
“Not happening now, and you know it. You were right. No one at work seems to give a damn that I’m gay. Now I can only pray my family will feel the same way.”
“That, we’ll find out in a couple of weeks. I got the lieutenant to give me two days off to go to the wedding.”
“Yes!” Corey pumped his fist in the air.
“Pumping your fist is so childish.”
“Is not. Wait, how did you know what I did?”
Scott laughed. “I would have done the same thing if the situation was reversed.”
“Making you childish too.”
“Well….”
They continued talking for a while before making a date to go out Saturday night. When they hung up, Corey smiled happily. He really does like me, as much as I like him. Now if only the family will accept that we’re together.
He looked up, praying. Please, God, make it so.
I hope so as well.
ReplyDeleteI think it will be.
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