First

by K. C. Wells

  Chapter Seven

  THE AROMA of fresh coffee tickled his nostrils, and Tommy opened his eyes to find Ben kneeling beside the sofa bed, mug in hand. “Morning, sleepyhead.” Ben’s eyes were kind.

  “G’mornin’.” Tommy propped himself up on his elbow and took the proffered mug. “What time is it?” He took a sip and sighed with pleasure as the flavor burst upon his tongue, rich and strong. “Damn, this is good. Thank you.”

  “Mom made it for you.” Ben rose to his feet and crossed the room to open the blinds that covered the high windows. There wasn’t much natural light that found its way into the basement apartment, but the halogen downlights more than made up for it. Ben came back to the sofa and sat on the edge of the mattress, dressed in only his boxers. “As for what time it is, it’s nine thirty. I let you sleep in, you were so exhausted last night. How’d you sleep, anyway?”

  “Off an’ on,” Tommy replied, drinking some more of the delicious, restorative brew. He vaguely remembered unfolding the sofa bed the night before and collapsing onto it. Ben’s words filtered through. “What d’you tell your parents ’bout why I was stayin’?” He hadn’t seen any of the family. Ben had let him in through the outer door to the basement.

  “I told them it was for a couple days. They don’t need to know more than that right now.” Ben grimaced. “Not that they’d have taken in a word I was saying anyhow.” He pointed toward the ceiling. “It’s chaos up there.”

  Tommy sat up, the sheet pooled around his waist. “What’s goin’ on?”

  Ben chuckled. “The ’rents are throwing a post-Christmas, pre-New Year party tonight. We’re talking caterers, setting up a bar, bartenders, music…. I recommend staying out of it all. In fact, once you’ve had some breakfast, we might wanna think about escaping down here for a while and letting Mom get on with it. Her hairdresser-cum-makeup guy will be arriving after lunch.” He pulled a face.

  “What’s wrong with that?” Tommy asked.

  Ben shook his head. “Danny’s good at what he does—don’t get me wrong—but he’s such a flamer.” He scowled. “I’m just not that big on guys who make it real obvious they’re gay.”

  Having seen Ben at the Jungle when he was pretty much full-on, Tommy found this more than a little ironic, but he bit his lip and kept quiet.

  Ben studied him for a moment. “So, you gonna tell me what happened? ’Cause you didn’t say a right lot last night.”

  Tommy sighed. “That’s prob’ly ’cause there ain’t that much to tell.” It still hurt to think about the whole hateful episode. Now and again during the journey back to Atlanta, he’d had to pull over when the tears came. He’d sat by the side of the road, shaking, wiping his eyes, and feeling like a total loser.

  Guess it was still sinkin’ in. I mean, it’s not every day your family kicks the shit out of you, psychologically speakin’.

  “Well, you might wanna start with how you managed to get that black eye, for one.”

  Ben stretched out his hand and touched it tentatively with his fingertips. Tommy winced, and Ben withdrew instantly. Tommy drank a few mouthfuls of coffee, inhaled deeply, and then told Ben everything. His roommate’s eyes grew wide with incredulity, and he shook his head, his fingers curling in the sheets. When Tommy was finished, Ben stared at him openmouthed.

  “Well, shit.”

  “That about sums it up, all right,” Tommy said morosely. He shook his head. “What I can’t get over is them tellin’ me they love me and then comin’ out with all that….” He huffed. “What ever happened to ‘God is love’?”

  “I guess God is love unless you’re gay,” Ben said quietly. “Shit, Tommy, that sounds like it was awful. So what you gonna do now?”

  “Well, I s’pose I need to think about my studies. I mean, I was studyin’ organic agriculture so’s I could take over the runnin’ of the farm, for when Daddy wanted to call it a day, but now?” He stared into his half-empty mug. “I need to think about what I want to do. Payin’ for my schoolin’ won’t be a problem, not with my college fund and the scholarships. But maybe it’s time to think carefully ’bout what I want my major to be.”

  Ben regarded him steadily. “Sounds like you’ve got some decisions to make. Don’t rush that. We’ve got just over a week before the new semester begins. I’m sure Mom and Dad won’t mind you staying here ’til then.” He grinned. “But that’s something to be discussed after this damn party, okay?”

  Tommy smiled. “Sure thing.” Just then his stomach growled.

  Ben snickered. “Looks like the first order of business is to feed you. When did you eat last?”

  Tommy shrugged. He recalled snacking on a couple of bars of chocolate during the journey back to Atlanta, but food had been the last thing on his mind. He was still too churned up to eat when he’d arrived.

  “Go grab a shower,” Ben suggested, “and then we’ll get some breakfast into you. We can decide what we’re doing after that.”

  Tommy nodded in agreement. Ben got up from the sofa bed, and Tommy caught hold of his arm.

  “Thank you,” he said simply.

  Ben’s cheeks grew rosy. “What are friends for?” He patted Tommy’s hand and walked into his bedroom. Tommy threw off the sheets and got out of bed. He then straightened them, tucking them in before he folded the bed back into its usual state. A shower would feel really good right then. And maybe things would look a little better with some food inside him.

  ’Cause Lord knew, they couldn’t look much worse.

  “MERCY, WHAT happened to you, Tommy?” Caroline’s eyes grew wide when she caught sight of his face.

  “I had a fight with a door in the middle of the night,” Tommy explained weakly. He’d managed to avoid being seen by the family all day, keeping out of sight in the basement, but when Ben’s parents had asked where his guest was hiding, it had been time to show his face.

  She arched her finely sculpted eyebrows and pursed her lips, but that was all. Tommy had the distinct feeling that she wasn’t buying it, however. Ben’s momma was a smart one.

  “Now you boys need to keep out of the way while everyone gets set up for this evening. Danny will be here any minute to do my hair and makeup, and then it won’t be long before the first guests start arriving.”

  Every available surface in the kitchen was taken up with platters of party food, along with boxes of wineglasses and cases of wine.

  “We still okay to stay downstairs?” Ben asked, helping himself to a large shrimp from a nearby platter on the counter and earning himself a smack on the hand for his efforts. “Ow!”

  “Then keep your paws off,” Caroline said with a firm stare. “And what makes you think I don’t expect you to attend, Benson Cardiff Wellington?”

  “Mom,” Ben groused.

  “It’s your name, so quit complaining. And yes, you will be attending the party. Tommy, you can join us if you want.”

  “If you don’t mind, ma’am, I’d rather not.” Tommy gestured to his eye. “Not really feelin’ presentable right now.”

  She nodded sympathetically. “I understand. You can stay downstairs.” When Ben let out a plaintive whine, she glared at him. “Tommy has an excuse, whereas you do not. As you are so fond of telling your sister, ‘suck it up.’” There was a mischievous gleam in her eyes. “Tommy, I’ll have a plate of food made up for you a little later, okay?”

  He nodded.

  “Mom, Danny’s here.” Bethany called from the doorway, the hairdresser behind her.

  Bethany promptly retreated. Tommy tried not to stare at the flamboyant Danny, who wore tight black leather pants, boots, and a bright blue shirt that fit his slim curves like a glove. His hair was black, short at the sides and longer, fashionably unruly on top. Danny breezed into the kitchen and air kissed in the general direction of Caroline’s cheeks. He regarded her hair with pursed lips and then nodded.

  “By the time I’m finished, you’re going to look absolutely fabulous, honey,” he said emphatically. He nodded politely in
Ben’s direction, and then his eyes lit up when he saw Tommy. His gaze traveled up and down Tommy’s body with frank appreciation. “Well, hel-lo there.”

  Tommy froze to the spot, pulse racing.

  “Danny, this is Tommy, Ben’s roommate from college.”

  Danny grinned, revealing a set of perfect white teeth. “Hi, Tommy. Delighted to meet you.” His eyes glittered as he moved closer. “Well, aren’t you just scrumptious looking?”

  He flung out his arm, hand extended toward Tommy, who was at a loss whether to kiss it or shake it. He was suddenly hyperaware of Caroline’s presence. He grasped Danny’s hand firmly, but shaking it was akin to holding a cold, dead fish. He released it quickly.

  “Oh my, how butch.”

  Danny pursed his lips once more, letting his gaze move slowly up and down Tommy’s body again. Tommy got the definite feeling Danny was picturing him naked. That tongue darting out to lick his lips only made him more certain of it.

  “Why, honey, whatever did you do to your poor eye? Oh, that must’ve hurt.” He stretched out his fingers toward Tommy’s cheek.

  “Excuse me, but you’re here to do my hair, not ogle my son’s roommate.” Caroline tapped her foot, nails drumming on the counter. Danny retracted his hand quickly.

  “And we’ve got things to do,” Ben said hurriedly, tugging at Tommy’s arm and dragging him toward the kitchen door. Tommy was only too happy to go with him. “Later, Mom.”

  Caroline waved her hand in acknowledgment and then launched into a discussion with Danny about how she wanted her hair done. Danny listened, nodding, but his gaze kept drifting over to where Tommy and Ben stood by the fridge, Ben reaching into its vast interior to grab bottles of water. Tommy was able to pick up the whispered conversation, which sent his heart plummeting.

  “Yes, dear, your hair will be simply stunning.” Danny was staring at him pointedly. “Maybe Mr. Big-n-Handsome would like to join me later for a drink.”

  Caroline smirked. “I doubt you’re his type, Danny—i.e., you’re male.”

  Danny arched his eyebrows. “Honey, that man is gay—I can feel it. My gaydar is banging all the way into the red zone.”

  Caroline gaped at Danny. “That boy is not gay. Now can we just get on with getting me ready for this party, please?”

  Danny opened his eyes wide, hands held high. “Whatever you say.” His eyes flicked in Tommy’s direction, and those full lips pursed up yet again.

  Ben chose that moment to pull him through one door and then another. He shook his head as they went downstairs into the basement. “Sorry ’bout that.”

  Tommy shuddered. “Really freaked me out, him lookin’ at me so obviously and talkin’ to me like that in front of your mom.” Hearing the bartenders at Woofs say stuff like that was one thing—they were in a gay bar, after all—but standing in Ben’s family kitchen was something else entirely.

  Ben scowled. “Oh, he was looking at you, all right. He was staring at you like you were the last ice cream on the Fourth of July.” He met Tommy’s gaze. “Sorry, but I was really uncomfortable. I just felt you didn’t need that, not right now. You’ve got enough on your plate without having to deal with Danny.”

  It was sweet seeing Ben being so protective of him. “Thanks,” Tommy said with a smile. “Think I’m gonna stay down here and let the food come to me, though.” Right then he didn’t want to see anyone.

  “Sure thing.” Ben handed him a bottle of water. “Wanna hang out and watch a movie or something ’til I have to go join the fun?” He rolled his eyes.

  “That sounds like a great idea.” Anything so he didn’t have to think. There was way too much going on his head.

  “YOUR EYE’S looking a little better, Tommy,” Ben’s daddy commented over lunch a couple of days after the party.

  “Thank you, sir.” Tommy helped himself to more mashed potatoes and gravy. “I’ll know to be more careful in future when I go to the bathroom in the middle of the night.” The lie felt wrong on his lips, but it was better than telling the truth. It had been four days since he’d arrived to stay at Ben’s house, and he was trying his best to stop thinking about his family interaction. He could still see their faces, though. Some things were too difficult to dismiss so easily.

  “What you boys planning to do for New Year’s Eve?” Caroline asked. “Because you can always join us at the aquarium. We’re attending a fund-raising event, and I’m sure we can still get tickets if you want. I know it’s tomorrow night, but we could manage it.”

  Ben grinned. “Mom, that sounds delightful, but I have a date.”

  Tommy stared at him in surprise.

  “Anyone we know?” his mom inquired.

  “Just a girl from my class, Della,” he replied. “Her folks are throwing a party, and she invited me.” He grinned at Tommy. “And Tommy here is going out too.”

  “Oh, just to a party at a bar in the city,” Tommy added hastily, glaring at Ben. His roommate had been doing his best to get Tommy to tell him exactly where he was going, but Tommy wasn’t about to do that. There were some secrets he wasn’t prepared to share.

  “Don’t drink too much, now,” Benson Wellington admonished. He lifted a forkful of roast beef to his lips and then picked up his newspaper, ignoring his wife’s tut-tut of disapproval.

  Tommy didn’t plan on letting anything alcoholic pass his lips, New Year’s Eve or no. His momma’s lectures on the evils of drink still rang in his head. Another one of those things that was proving difficult to ignore.

  Caroline appeared surprised. “I thought you might have been planning to go spend New Year’s Eve with your parents, Tommy.”

  He winced, the reaction so instinctive he couldn’t control it. So much for puttin’ it behind me. Everything was still too raw. Across the table from him, Ben’s expression was one of sympathy.

  Caroline’s brow furrowed. “Did I say something wrong?”

  Before Tommy could say something to reassure her, Ben let out a heavy sigh and stared at Tommy.

  “You know what? They deserve to know what’s going on.”

  Tommy’s heartbeat sped up. Oh no, he wouldn’t….

  Ben turned to his parents. “Tommy’s staying here ’cause his parents kicked him out.” He gave Tommy an apologetic glance.

  Benson lowered his newspaper. “Why? What happened?” He seemed appalled by the revelation.

  Caroline’s mouth fell open, and she let out a gasp.

  Ben bit his lip. “Let’s just say they had a difference of opinion.”

  Tommy put down his fork and sighed. “Well, you’ve told ’em that much. They may as well know the whole story.” He regarded Benson and Caroline, his heart racing. “I… I came out to my parents the day after Christmas, and they were none too happy about it.” He paused, unsure of what else to tell them. It had been enough of an effort to share that.

  “What about the rest of it?” Ben said hotly. “Tell them about the camp your parents and that pastor wanted to send you to, where they were gonna cure you of being gay.” His face glowed.

  Silence fell. Ben’s parents stared at him, openmouthed. Finally Caroline spoke. “Oh, you poor thing. You should’ve told us, dear.” She sighed. “Tommy, there is nothing wrong with being gay, y’hear? And you are welcome to stay here as long as you want. Isn’t that right, Benny?”

  Ben’s dad nodded. “You’re always welcome here, son. You’re good for Ben. He needs someone like you around.” Then he smiled. “You can even take one of the bedrooms upstairs if my sloth of a son gets to be too much for you,” he added before picking up his newspaper once more.

  “Thank you,” Tommy said warmly. Ben was so lucky to have such supportive, understanding parents. He couldn’t believe how unruffled they were by his announcement.

  Then Caroline grinned. “Well, I’ll be damned. It just burns me up that Danny was right after all.” Her comment was met with chuckles from her family. Caroline rolled her eyes. Then she glanced at Bethany, who was sitting next to Tommy, a s
mug expression on her face. Caroline narrowed her gaze. “You already knew Tommy was gay, didn’t you?”

  Bethany’s expression became innocent. “I may have.”

  Tommy squeezed her knee, and she smiled at him. There was a wicked gleam in her eyes as she glanced over at her brother.

  “At least Tommy has taste. He’d never consider dating Ben.”

  Ben glared at her. “You little witch!”

  Bethany shrugged. “I figured as long as Tommy was being honest, maybe it was time you were too.” Her lips twitched.

  Caroline regarded her son in silence, and Tommy watched as Ben swallowed. Then she gave him a wide smile.

  “Oh, baby, like I didn’t already know about you.”

  Tommy had to fight hard to hold back his laughter at the sight of Ben’s dazed look.

  “You know?” It came out as a squeak.

  Caroline’s expression was full of love. “Of course, sugar. Do you think a mother doesn’t know these things? Though I admit, you had me fooled for a while, until I figured out you like boys and girls.”

  Benson’s newspaper flapped. “Wait—what?” He frowned. “What was that about Ben liking boys?”

  “Go back to your paper, dear,” Caroline said with a wave of her hand. “Everything’s fine. Our son is bisexual, that’s all.” She smiled sweetly in his direction.

  “Oh, okay,” he said absently. Then his paper flapped again. “Wait—Ben is bisexual? Why am I the last to know these things?”

  “Benny.” Caroline waited until he was focusing on her. “Do you have a problem with Ben being bi? Because I surely don’t.”

  Benny’s brow cleared. “Of course I don’t. All I want is for our children to be happy.” He smiled at Ben. “That’s fine, son.” Then he went back to his paper, still murmuring about always being the last to know.

  Caroline turned to Ben. “See, honey? That wasn’t so bad, was it?” She beamed at him and then swept a glance around the table. “Now, is there anything else we need to be told? No? Fine, then I for one am going to finish my lunch.” And with that she picked up her knife and fork and calmly proceeded to eat her meal.