by Jake Biondi
“Lately, dealing with reality has become my specialty, I guess. I want Michael and you to be happy -- you both deserve it.”
“You deserve to be happy, too,” Keith said. “You just need to determine who makes you happiest.”
“For now, I’m happy on my own. I don’t want to rush into anything. Having some quiet time in my personal life is a good thing for me.”
“And what about Max?”
“Right now, just being friends with him as well as business partners is all I can offer him. My heart is guarded and I don’t want to be hurt again.”
“And Patrick? I saw how he looked at you at the party.”
“Patrick and I are just friends. He’s a great guy and I’m enjoying getting to know him more.”
“Jesse and Logan rave about him. He basically saved Logan’s life and they are very appreciative.”
Emmett smiled. “We’re all appreciative of that. It’s good to have the Logan we all know and love back.”
“Absolutely,” Keith agreed. “Well, whoever you choose as your partner will be the luckiest man alive. I’m not sure Max deserves you.”
“Keith…”
“I’m not judging him. I just know from experience how stupid someone is who takes you for granted and doesn’t appreciate you until after you’re gone.”
“So, do I get to be best man at your wedding?”
“My wedding?” Keith asked. “To Michael? That’s funny. We are just starting over. I’m not sure marriage is anywhere in our future.”
“I think it is,” Emmett said, smiling. “Don’t disappoint me.”
While Emmett and Keith discussed him, Michael was lying on the couch in his living room. Both Hugo and David stood nearby.
“I have to meet a few clients, otherwise I’d stay here to make sure you rest. But Hugo is here to do that for me.”
Michael groaned. “You guys, I’m fine. Really.”
David looked at Hugo. “Don’t take your eyes off him. You know how your uncle is. If we turn our backs, he’ll be out the door and back on his beat.”
Hugo smiled. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure he stays put. If he tries to get up, I’ll tackle him.”
“With my blessing,” David added. “I’ll check in with both of you after my client sessions.” With that, David was out the door.
“Can I get you anything?”
“I’m your uncle, not your grandfather. If I need something, I’ll get it.”
Hugo sat down on the floor near the sofa and crossed his legs. “I’m actually glad that we have this time alone together, Uncle Michael. If you’re not too tired, there are some things I’d like to talk to you about….in confidence, preferably.”
Michael sat up a bit. “Of course. Is something wrong?”
“No, no,” Hugo reassured his uncle. “What was my father’s response when you told him you were gay?”
Michael reclined more fully onto the couch. “Wow. Didn’t see that question coming.”
“Please.”
“Your father and I weren’t the best of friends when we were younger.”
“You aren’t now, either.”
“We understand each other better now. We co-exist much more peacefully.”
“But when you came out?”
“Oh, Hugo. We didn’t see eye to eye on much of anything back then.”
“So he was upset? Intolerant?”
“Mateo is a good father. I have always said that about him and I believe you know that, too.”
“He tries,” Hugo agreed. “But he puts such pressure on me to meet all of his expectations.”
“Like our father did to him. That’s why he became a doctor, you know. Because our father pushed him.”
“But when you came out to him...what did he do? What did he say?”
“Hugo, I didn’t really come out to him...voluntarily. He caught me...with a boyfriend. It wasn’t like we sat down and had a conversation about it.”
“And he rejected you?”
“Hugo, what are you really trying to ask me? If he’d reject you?”
“Jensen’s parents did. They threw him out of the house. If it weren’t for Emmett taking him in, he’d probably be dead.”
“Jensen wasn’t as lucky as you. Your gay uncle would never let that happen to you. As long as I’m alive, you always have a home and a safe place. You know that. I love you so much and I’d never abandon you.”
“Like my father would...”
“I thought we were talking about Jensen.” Michael sat up on the sofa. “Hugo, you know that you can tell me anything. It will stay between us, if you want it to.”
Hugo paused before responding. “I think I’m in love with Jensen.”
Michael smiled and touched Hugo’s head. “I know.”
“You know?”
“Hugo, I’ve known for a while. He’s a lucky guy.”
“Geez, was it that obvious?”
“Only to someone with my keen sense of gaydar,” Michael joked.
“Oh, brother.”
“Seriously, Hugo, it’s okay. It’s not anything specific that you’ve said or done -- and it’s not like you wear it on your sleeve, either. But I just had a hunch.”
“But you never said anything.”
“That’s not how it works. It’s not up to me to out you -- that’s a process you have to go through on your own. First, you have to accept yourself. Then you decide to share it with others when you are ready.”
“I appreciate that. I’ve just been so conflicted. I’ve done some really stupid things lately in an effort to prove that I’m not gay.”
“You can’t deny who you are, Hugo.”
“But how will I ever tell my father? Sometimes, we can barely have a conversation about anything.”
“You’ll tell him when the time is right for you. And I’m here to support you every step of the way.”
“Thank you,” Hugo said. “There’s something else.”
“What?”
“I know Keith killed your father.”
“How do you know that?”
“Rachel told me.”
“Rachel?” Michael asked curiously. “Why were you talking about that with Rachel?”
“It’s a long story, another bad decision of mine.”
“Does your father know?”
Hugo shook his head. “I don’t think so.”
“Good,” Michael said. “I don’t think he has any need to know at this point. It wouldn’t change anything...”
“And he could cause trouble for Keith and you.”
“Yes. We are just trying to work things out between us. At the moment, things are...fragile.”
“I won’t say anything. I’ve realized lately that I may have been wrong about Keith all along.”
“He’s a good man who makes mistakes like all of us. As for Jensen and you, learn from our mistakes. Always be honest and open with him. No secrets -- they destroy relationships.”
“Agreed,” Hugo said. “Wow, I’m doing all this talking and you should be resting.”
Michael smiled. “I’m fine, and I appreciate that you shared all this with me. Remember, Hugo, that I want you to be happy. You are never alone.”
As Hugo finally let Michael get some rest, Mateo met with Rachel in his office at the hospital.
“I want you to take a paternity test,” Mateo declared.
“Why? Don’t you trust me?”
“I’m no fool, Rachel. I’m not naive enough to think that I’m the only one you’ve been playing around with.”
“Playing around? That’s offensive,” Rachel said. “You know I love you. That’s why I want to marry you.”
“And you know I’m not the marrying type. I’ve told you that before.”
“Is this because of your newfound interest in Joyelle Mancini? She’s hardly your type, Mateo.”
“Joyelle is a wonderful woman--”
“--who’s carrying a dead man’s baby,” Rachel barked.
“I’m not here to discuss Joyelle with you. I’m here to tell you that we are going to run a paternity test. I’ll do it myself and have the results rushed. We can go from there.”
“When you find out I’m telling the truth, you’re going to feel bad about forcing me to take this test.”
“If you’re being honest, you have nothing to worry about.”
“I love you, Mateo. I wish you knew just how much.”
“Let’s just get this test done,” Mateo said, standing up from his desk and escorting Rachel into the hallway.
Arriving back at Derek’s condominium, Cole and he entered the kitchen. Derek walked to the refrigerator and pulled out a beer.
“Want one?” Derek asked Cole.
“Sure,” Cole said, walking up behind Derek, who handed him a beer.
“Are you sure you’re okay? You were so quiet all the way home.”
“I just can’t shake this feeling that Michael took a bullet meant for me.”
Derek wrapped his arms around Cole. “There is nothing to prove that’s true.”
“But there’s nothing to disprove it, either.”
“I’m going to talk to Gino and make sure you get additional security, especially with all the trips you have lined up.”
“Thank you.”
“It’s taken us this long to be together. I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”
Cole kissed Derek.
“Let’s talk about something more fun. Our wedding. Have you thought about what kind of wedding you want?”
“There hasn’t really been time for it all to sink in since the proposal last night, but I have been thinking....”
Derek smiled. “Good. I want it to be everything you want it to be.”
“All that matters is that we are finally together,” Cole stated, hugging Derek.
“Forever,” Derek added, holding his fiancé tightly.
The Fourth of July brought to Chicago all the traditional celebrations. People hosted barbeques for friends and neighbors, others spent the day on the beaches along the lakefront, and tourists from all over enjoyed all that Chicago had to offer them.
Early on the holiday, Adam returned home from jogging. He put his ear buds onto the counter, pulled off his sweaty shirt, and went to the cupboard to take out the powder to make a protein shake. As he began to fill a cup with the powder, his leg cramped up.
Wincing in pain, Adam leaned down to rub his calf. As he hobbled over to the sofa to sit down, David entered from his bedroom. Wearing gym shorts and tank top, David noticed his roommate struggling and assisted him to the couch.
“You okay?” David asked, helping Adam sit down.
“I don’t know. My leg just cramped up all of a sudden.”
“Lie back,” David instructed and then watched Adam recline on the couch. He sat down on the other end of the sofa and pulled Adam’s feet onto his lap. Then he began to massage Adam’s calf. “Lucky for you, your roommate is a physical therapist.”
“Mmm,” Adam moaned as David massaged his leg. “Lucky me is right.”
“Feel better?” David asked as he continued to massage.
“Much, thank you,” Adam said, closing his eyes to enjoy the massage.
“Good,” David said as he moved his hands up to Adam’s thigh.
“I could get used to this,” Adam announced.
“You can’t afford my hourly rate. Emmett and Max don’t pay you enough,” David joked.
Smiling, Adam opened his eyes and sat up. “Oh, really? Well, I can pay you with free drinks at the club then.” He took the pillow from behind his head and tossed it at David.
“Oh, no you don’t,” David said, playfully hitting Adam with another pillow from the sofa.
The two engaged in a small pillow fight, each hitting the other with the throw pillows. The fight evolved into a fun wrestling match on the couch, until David eventually pinned Adam on his back on the sofa.
Both slightly out of breath, the two men paused for a moment, each looking into the other’s eyes. David slowly lowered his head and kissed Adam. As their lips touched, Adam wrapped his arms around David and ran his fingers over his back.
The kiss lingered, growing more and more passionate. Adam’s fingers made their way up David’s back to his shoulders and neck and then through his hair. He savored the feeling of David’s weight on top of him as his tongue worked its way into David’s mouth.
When the kiss finally ended, David opened his eyes and looked into Adam’s. “How’s your leg?” he asked with a smile.
“You don’t have to stop,” Adam whispered.
“I don’t intend to,” David replied, kissing Adam again.
This time, Adam wrapped his arms and legs around David, comingling their bodies as they kissed deeply. Adam kissed David’s neck and ears, then ran his tongue along David’s jaw line.
“Are you sure you’re okay with this?” David asked.
“Does it sound like I’m complaining?”
David smiled. “Good.”
“I have wanted to kiss you from the moment I met you,” Adam added.
“Well, I know where you live so I’m happy to oblige any time you want.”
Adam grinned widely. “I do have to get to work, though.”
David frowned. “Boo.”
“I’m sorry.”
“The big Fourth of July barbeque at the restaurant?”
“Want to be my date?”
“I’d love to,” David replied. “Thank you.”
David rolled over to allow Adam to get off the sofa. “I need to shower and get ready. See you there later?”
“Deal.”
David watched Adam head toward his bedroom and then walked into the kitchen.
At their own apartment, Cole and Jesse were returning from the gym. Tossing their gym bags onto a sofa, they walked into the kitchen. Cole pulled two bottles of water from the fridge and Jesse pulled some oatmeal from the cabinet.
“It really was sweet of Derek to call your mother and ask her permission to marry you before he proposed.”
“He’s a keeper.”
Jesse laughed. “I smile when I think about how you two met -- and how you insisted to me he was just a hook up. We both knew you were full of shit.”
“But even I had no idea we’d end up getting married.”
“Have you two picked a date yet?”
“We’re thinking September. I actually have a few ideas I want to share with him and get his thoughts.”
“I’m so excited for you, bro.”
“Well, you’ll be right there with me, best man.”
Jesse smiled. “No place I’d rather be.”
“You’ve been the best man in my life for as long as I can remember. Don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“You’ll never have to find out because I’ll always be right next to you as I have always been,” Jesse declared.
“So have you talked to Logan yet?”
“About moving in with him? No, not yet. I don’t want to pressure him at all. He’s still in recovery and he’s doing so well that I don’t want to say or do anything that would inhibit his progress.”
“I’d think that you moving in with him permanently would actually support his progress.”
“I agree, but I still want to be careful. I’ll talk about it soon, certainly before our lease is up.”
“I’ve loved sharing this apartment with you, you know.”
“Me, too, bro. And you’re only moving across the street.”
“I want to talk to Derek about that, too. I’m wondering if we should have a new place, our own. Not the same place that he shared with Joyelle.”
“Good point,” Jesse agreed. “I’m sure he’d be open to that. Or Joyelle could keep the place herself. She can’t live with her mother forever.”
“Sounds like we still have some things to work out.”
“It’ll all be fine,” Jesse reassured Cole. “You’ll see.” Jesse looked at
the oatmeal. “Come on, let’s eat and then get ready for the party.”
At the same time, Logan was meeting with Mateo in his office at the hospital. They were seated next to each other in chairs along the window which looked out over Lincoln Park.
“I wanted to meet with you one on one to discuss my surgery,” Logan said.
“I’m glad you did. Like all surgeries, there are always risks and I want you to have realistic expectations.”
“Thank you for changing your mind about all of this.”
“You have my brother to thank for that. And Patrick, too. I was really hesitant about all this.”
“If you don’t think you can do it...”
“That’s not it. There was a personal issue, but Michael helped me move past that.”
“Everyone says you’re the best, so I’m comfortable putting my looks in your hands.”
“I’ve examined all your medical reports as well as your scars and I think you’ll be very happy with what we are able to do. Of course, there are no guarantees, but if you trust me, I think you’ll be happy with the results.”
“You know, these scars are reminders of some emotional moments in my past. I’m hoping healing these physical scars will help heal the emotional ones.”
Mateo smiled. “I think it might. I hope it will.”
“Then let’s do it.”
A knock came to the door.
“Come in,” Mateo said.
A tall, dark haired man entered the room with an envelope in his hand. “I’m sorry to interrupt.”
“It’s not a problem, Connor.”
“I have the test results you wanted.”
Mateo took the envelope from Connor. “Great, thanks.”
“I ran the tests and analyzed the results myself.”
“Thank you.”
Connor turned and left the office.
“I should be going, too,” Logan said, standing up. “Thank you so much for everything, Mateo.”
“My pleasure,” Mateo replied, also rising from his chair. “My staff will be in touch to pre-register you for the surgery and we will be all set.”
“Thanks again,” Logan said and then left the office.
Alone, Mateo opened the envelope Connor had delivered. He perused the documents inside and then dropped them back onto his desk.
