Glenn flinched but didn't drop his gaze. "I'd hoped there wasn't, but if there is then all I can say is he's a lucky man to have won your love. You deserve someone you can love who loves you in return."
A long silence ensued after Glenn's words, neither man looking away from the other. "That's the problem," Joey finally said, "I don't love him." He glanced away then. "I like him, he's a good man, we have a lot in common." He shook his head slowly. "But… as my mother put it, the passion isn't there."
"There's more to loving someone than just passion," Glenn replied even though he felt he was cutting his own throat by pointing that out.
Joey sank down onto the stairs. "I'm not a callow fool, I know that. But there still has to be more to love than just enjoying each other's company." He smiled bleakly, catching Glenn's eyes. "Doesn't there?"
"You're asking the wrong man here. I've never been in a situation where I could even ask that question. However, I'd say yes, there does have to be more, for me at least. Have the two of you… you said you didn't have a roommate but does he spend the night?"
Joey couldn't help but smile. "You can kill someone without a second thought, but you're afraid to ask in so many words if I'm sleeping with him. Well the answer is that I'm not. We've known each other for a while now but we've never gotten beyond kissing and a bit of touching."
"Thank God," Glenn muttered before he could stop himself. "Sorry, that was unnecessary."
"Maybe, but it was an honest response. If I'd said that I was sleeping with him I doubt you'd have reacted the same way, or I hope you wouldn't have."
"Believe me, if you'd said you were my first impulse would have been to find that man and…" He chuckled softly. "I wouldn't have though. If I thought you were happy with him I'd back off and… back off."
Joey cocked an eyebrow. "That's it, you'd just back off."
"It would hurt, but yeah. I want to see you have what's best for you and if he's it, I have no right to interfere."
"Well that's a damned noble statement."
"It was rather, wasn't it?" Glenn replied with a slight smile. "Doesn't mean it's not the truth though."
"So you wouldn't fight for me? I think I'm hurt."
"If I thought I stood a chance, damned straight I would, but no one can fight love."
"Well, Mr. Tanner, you're right about that. Oh, that is your real name isn't it, I hope."
"Yeah, Glenn Tanner is me, the real me."
"Good. Now as I was saying, Mr. Tanner, you're right, you can't fight love so will you please for once stop trying to?"
"Meaning?"
"Ever since the day we met you've done all in your power to push me away. Well it's time that stopped." Joey inched a bit closer to Glenn as he said that.
"What about… what's his face?"
"Nate? We've talked and he… knows about you. He said he understands and I pray that he does, as callous as that may sound. You on the other hand…" He moved another inch closer.
"Are going to be stuck with you?"
"I hope you don't really think of it that way, but yeah, you are. I'm tired of the games. You're not too old, I know what you do, and what you did, and I can deal with it. Are there any other barriers you can think of that I need to knock down?"
"Umm, no." Glenn eyed him with cautious amusement.
"Good. Then damn it will you kiss me. I've been waiting for over two years to see what it would be like."
"I'm still too old for you," Glenn muttered as he closed the distance between them.
"We'll see about that once I get you to bed," Joey replied with a broad grin. He wrapped his arms around Glenn's neck. "But I think you can keep up."
"Damned straight I can," Glenn growled. And then he kissed him.
The End
(Next up: 'Lessons Learned'. The sequel to 'Hitman's Creed'.)
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