"I've met a man, not a woman. Someone I see a long-term future with." Avery kept his gaze focused, looking each person in the eye, refusing to look at his mother. This would mean more to her. He'd wait to talk this through with her later.
"They discussed this with you from the beginning, Mr. Adams. You can't be openly gay and have any chance of winning," Mr. Joslin said.
"I understand that, but it doesn't change the facts," Avery argued.
"Do you understand what we are telling you? There is no way you would be supported if you ran as a gay man. How long could you have possibly known him if you talked about this before and he wasn't a factor?" Mr. Joslin asked.
"The length of the relationship isn't important," Avery replied.
"So we hide him. You aren't the only gay man in office. We can find a nice filler woman to stand in. No one has to know…" Mr. Freeport was on a roll, the other two nodding along with him. He could see their minds ticking away with the possibilities.
"I'm not interested in hiding him. I'm not unsympathetic to the complications this poses or unfamiliar with the odds of running a viable campaign as a homosexual. Regardless, it doesn't change the facts, I refuse to hide him." Avery left no further room for discussion on the subject.
"Avery…" Kennedy Adams said from across the table. Finally, he looked over at her, and based on the look in her eyes, he couldn't tell where she was headed with her line of thinking, but whatever she had to say, needed to be said in private.
"Mother, I'm not hiding him," Avery said, just as stoned-faced and hard as he had said to the three political strategists in front of him.
"You honestly can't make this kind of decision on a recently found piece of ass, Adams. This affects more than just you," Mr. Joslin said. He was clearly disgusted with Avery's turnabout.
"Don't ever talk about him that way again." Avery turned his steely gaze in the man's direction. He understood all the time and effort they put into making this campaign a reality, but he'd climb over this table and beat the shit out of anyone who dared trash Kane.
"No offense, I swear, but come on, man. Everything's in place. You're the ticket back in. It's been sixteen years since we ran the White House. You know all this," Mr. Joslin said, changing his tactic. He appeared to believe acting like Avery's buddy would encourage him into the better decision.
"I do, but I'm gay. This country's too narrow-minded and I can't— and won't—put him through it. He's been through too much." Avery had just pulled himself from the race. He schooled his facial features, kept his game face in place, and let his internal emotions run rampant. This decision was huge and based completely on emotion over a man he'd known for a short time. But seriously, what a man! He allowed the thoughts of Kane to fill his heart and his mind, giving him strength.
"So that's it then. Everything's over? You just let us go on and on for nothing?" Mr. Freeport said.
"It's truly unfortunate. I would have loved to give this a shot, but I won't hide him. When you're ready to run an integrity-driven campaign, based on the honest truth of who I am, give me a call." Avery wasn't going to let them pin this on him in a negative way. It wasn't his fault the United States mentality was so incredibly shallow and narrow-minded.
He said what needed to be said and walked to the conference room door. No one moved. Janice looked proud of him and that meant something since he'd have to listen to her every day about this decision. His mother sat back in her seat, her eyes calculating. Anything could be going on inside that head of hers.
"Janice, will you show our guests out?" Avery left the room, taking long strides to the front door. He needed fresh air and perspective. This was right! Absolutely the right thing to do, he just wished he'd known Kane longer. Had the time under their belts to have commitments and those three little words spoken, but he also couldn't rip those possibilities from them. He wanted those words with Kane. He'd get those words from Kane. Kane was meant for him.
"Avery, wait!" Kennedy Adams said, her high heels clicking on the tile floor as she crossed the office toward him before he could get out the front door.
"I don't want you to try and talk me out of this." Avery rolled his eyes as he pivoted to face her.
"Son, this is a big step you're taking. Are you certain of everything you're doing right now?" she asked, coming to stand right in front of him. She was a tall woman, but he still had to lower his head to make eye contact. She looked like a worried mother, not the strong-willed businesswoman she had become.
"I am reasonably certain of what I'm doing," he said. She didn't look pacified by his response.
"And does this man know what you're giving up? He's good with this decision?" she asked, and Avery just stared down at her. Damn, she was good. She knew exactly the right questions to ask.
"No, he doesn't, and no, he wouldn't like me doing this. Mother, I need you to trust me on this. I know what I'm doing. I love him, and even if he isn't there with me yet, I want to give us the chance. Please go back in there and smooth those ruffled feathers. Have Janice cover the cost of their trip," Avery said. As he spoke, he reached out and took both her arms in his hands, drawing her close to him. He kissed her on the forehead before turning his searching gaze back to her. "I need to go. I'll see you back at the hotel in a little while. I'd like you to meet him, if it's not asking too much right now."
"Of course, I want to meet him," Kennedy said.
"Thank you." Avery didn't say another word. He took off out the front door. He had preparations to make and little time to do it in.
The restaurant was packed solid. Every table was full and the waiting area was standing room only, with guests trickling outside on the front porch for a place to stand. This might just turn out to be the best Sunday night in La Bella Luna history. Kane worked feverishly to maintain the pace. As long as everything fell into place, he was sure they could pull this off.
Maybe all this positive attitude he was sporting had to do with the giant smile that never seemed to leave his face and the incredible sense of love radiating through his heart. It had only been a short time since he had started seeing Avery, yet everything about Kane was a changed man. They were the best days of his entire life.
"Kane, they're ten minutes behind in the kitchen," Rodney said, standing beside him as he ran a charge through for a client.
"Have they asked for help yet?" Kane asked, never looking up from his task.
"Not yet, but I think you need to get in there. Paulie's yelling at them all," Rodney said quietly as they stood together in the packed lobby. Kane nodded, finished with the charge, and wound his way around the tables until he dropped off the credit card and thanked everyone at the party for coming that evening. He kept his super calm composure in place, making his way to the kitchen. He barely got inside the first set of doors before Paulie let out a string of curse words to rival any sailor on a dock. Paulie had been that sailor back in the day.
"Kane, we need a bottle of Merlot, or whatever you suggest, for table twenty-one," one of his waiters said. Kane nodded as he stuck his head in the kitchen. It took a second for Paulie to see him. Every person in the kitchen was bent over their stations, working as feverishly as they could in hopes of not being targeted by Paulie's wrath.
"What are you grinning about? I got this under control," Paulie barked at him. Kane just nodded, still grinning.
"I got the wine, you're needed up front," Rodney said, shooting past him toward the wine cellar. Kane changed direction and went back the way he'd come.
He was deep in thought and bent over the hostess stand, trying to work out a problem with seating when the light dimmed above him. He glanced up to see who hovered so closely and was surprised to find Avery standing over him.
"I love that smile. Can I see you for a minute?" Avery asked.
"Can it wait? We're busy and behind," Kane started, but Avery looked crestfallen, and he immediately amended what he said. "Can you wait for me by the bar or back in the kitchen. Paulie won't yell so lou
dly with you in there."
"Sure, which one," Avery asked and reached out, taking Kane's hand, giving him a small squeeze. The gesture was sweet, but out of place, confusing him that much more.
"Would my office be better?" Kane questioned, and he could feel his smile faltering. Avery showing up during the height of business hours, reaching out, gripping his hand…Kane had sat through too many grieving church services. The hand squeeze was the universal signal for things are bad, and I'm so sorry. The smile completely faded as panic filled his heart.
"Your office. Come back when you can," Avery said, leaving as quickly as he'd come.
Kane worked to tie up his loose ends as dread took hold. The hopefulness of a few minutes ago fled, desperation filling its place. Kane had tried with Avery. He had broken out of his normal routines, opened himself up more than ever before. He tried hard to be the man worthy of Avery. Where had he gone wrong?
He'd left the restaurant on the busiest night of the week and gone out dancing. He'd had sex in a public place. Maybe that was it? No. Avery wanted that, right? Thoughts of Brian trickled in. If he couldn't keep someone like Brian, how in the world had he ever thought he could have Avery Adams?
Kane stalled for as long as he could. He didn't want to head back to his office. His blissful night had taken a full nosedive in a matter of thirty seconds. Maybe if he didn't go back to his office, he wouldn't have to hear the words and Avery would just leave. But Avery was a stand-up guy. He'd feel like he had to make it clear, this breakup wasn't Kane's fault, blah, blah, blah. The better plan was to get back to the office, let Avery say whatever he planned to say, and get him moving out the door sooner rather than later.
Kane's heart hurt on a level he'd never experienced before. Why did this seem to ache so much worse than both Brian and his mother?
"You all right, man?" Rodney asked as Kane walked past the bar, heading toward his office.
"Sure. Can you watch things for a minute?" Kane asked, barely looking over his shoulder or waiting for Rodney's answer. Kane pushed through the doors to find Avery pacing the hall from his office to the kitchen. Crap. Desolation filled his soul as Avery looked at him with worry. Kane kept quiet, dropping his sweaty palms inside his pants pockets as he decided to take it like a man, and forced himself to walk toward Avery.
"Is everything okay? Do you have time to talk to me right now?" Avery asked, and Kane nodded, coming to stop about five feet from where Avery stood. The sounds from the kitchen filled the small hall. Avery looked antsy and intense. Kane crossed his arms over his chest, trying to hold his heart inside. "Can we go in your office?"
"Please just say whatever it is you have to say. We're busy," Kane responded. His tone didn't come out harsh like he intended. Instead, he was more quiet and resolved. The super calm was completely in place. Kane knew what Avery came here to say, and he really didn't want to listen to any part of it.
Avery hesitated, seeming unsure. The emotions playing out across his face matched the havoc tearing through Kane's heart. After a second or so, Avery visibly squared his shoulders, firmed up his spine, and took the few steps separating them, wrapping Kane inside his arms. Kane resisted, but the smell of Avery's cologne, the feel of strong arms wrapping around his waist threatened tears, and he dropped his hands to his side. Crap, was he going to cry? He closed his eyes and dropped his head as Avery went in for one brief, swift, chaste kiss.
"I know you're busy, I just couldn't wait, I'll plan better next time. I turned down the Democratic Party today. They wanted me to run for the senate," Avery said, and Kane snapped his head up.
"I heard about you possibly running. You hadn't said anything. Avery, why didn't you run? Everyone's talking about you running…" Kane started but Avery cut him off, pulling him tighter against his body.
"I'm not running for office. Not anymore. Because of you," Avery said, smiling down at him.
"What? Avery, no," Kane argued, he was completely confused and too much emotion rolled through his brain to allow him to think properly. "I never asked you not to run."
"No, wait, Kane. Let me finish. Will you please hold me? Put your arms around me. I need you touching me right now." Avery lifted Kane's arms, draping them around his body. Kane was stunned as the magnitude of Avery's confession settled inside his heart.
"Avery, you can't give that up…" Avery looked frustrated and gripped the sides of his arms, pushing Kane back a step before he bent down to one knee. The whole action confused Kane as he looked down to see Avery extending a hand.
"No, Kane, you aren't listening. Let me finish. I need you to listen. I know this is too soon. And I'm not saying right now, but promise me, one year from today, that you'll marry me if you still want to be with me." Avery held a small black velvet box and flipped open the lid. Kane's eyes landed on the ring and then darted straight to Avery's face where an intense expression stared back at him. A minute or two passed with neither man willing to look away.
"Say something," Avery finally said.
"You barely know me," Kane shot back. A few minutes ago, he thought they were breaking up, and now, Avery was down on one knee. What?
"I said in a year. One year from today. I don't want to marry you tomorrow. A year will give us time. If either of us wants out, it's all right, but for now, this is a promise ring. You are promising to be mine," Avery said, carefully explaining everything while still down on one knee.
"We can't marry," Kane fired back.
"We can in the church. We can be married by your God's word," Avery said, pleading with him now.
"Avery, my God doesn't believe in us," Kane said. That had Avery faltering. He lowered his arms and stood, backing Kane against the wall both literally and physically.
"But he does. I know he does. I know you're meant for me. I know you're the other half of my soul. We are meant to be together. I know in one year we will be married, and I promise to spend the rest of my life loving you, taking care of and standing beside you. Say yes," Avery said, placing both palms on the side of Kane's face, slightly lifting his head to look into his eyes. "You're killing me, Kane. You told me always on the phone. You said you agreed with always."
"I'm scared," Kane whispered. He wasn't sure he'd ever said those words out loud before in his life.
"Me too. What we have between us is so strong. Please say yes," Avery said, placing a simple kiss on his lips.
"Okay," Kane said, his voice growing stronger with each word he spoke. "Yes, I will marry you in one year."
"Thank you, I'll hold you to that!" Avery grinned before devouring his slightly parted lips. Kane kissed him back with everything he held inside his heart. The barriers he'd constructed over his heart tore free. He was so completely in love with Avery Adams, and they hadn't broken up, actually quite the opposite.
Paulie stuck his head around the side wall separating them from the kitchen. They must have been heard, or more likely, Paulie eavesdropped, which was completely okay with Kane. His voice didn't match the smile he wore.
"If you two lovebirds can tear away from each other for a minute, table four has the wrong bottle of wine and Rodney's playing host. You traumatized the staff doing that dead man walking through the dining room just a minute ago. It's a bad day when the staff would rather come to me, than interrupt you," Paulie said, darting back from where he'd come.
"I asked him to marry me," Avery called out. Paulie's head shot back around the wall.
"Did ya now?" Paulie asked, coming forward to shake both their hands, taking it all in stride. Clearly that hadn't been a surprise to him.
He'd definitely eavesdropped. There was no way the old man hadn't heard them, but he pretended like he hadn't and shook Avery's hand before doing the same to Kane, ending with a big fatherly bear hug.
"In a church," Kane added, a bigger smile hitting his face.
"Great! True love prevails and table four needs their wine. And these pansy asses can't be left unattended for even a second," Paulie yelled, already rounding
the corner back into the kitchen. Kane couldn't wipe the smile off his face. He leaned in to give Avery a peck on the lips, but Avery deepened the kiss.
"I got table four," Rodney called out as Kane wrapped himself around Avery, letting the world fade away.
Chapter 13
April, 1976 ~ Stillwater, Minnesota.
Kane stared at himself in the dressing room mirror for several long minutes, probably more like thirty, yet he never truly saw himself. He sat absorbed in nothing more than his thoughts. Today was his and Avery's big day, their wedding day.
His hair was cut short and perfectly styled in the latest trend. He'd even let Avery talk him into adding some very subtle lowlight auburn streaks to the front. He was surprised and rather pleased at how such an insignificant, almost unnoticeable change could make his blue eyes pop. At least that was how Avery described him after he was done. A smile came to his lips as he thought about how Avery had dropped to his knees in the entryway of their apartment and given him one of the sexiest and best blow jobs of his life because he'd followed through with that simple request.
Kane was also freshly clean shaven, plucked, tweezed, and clipped. Avery took care of all the elements of the wedding, including giving Kane a morning at the local spa. Avery had clearly missed his calling in life. His honey was a born party planner, handling every detail with skill and a decisive grace. Without question, he was certain this wedding extravaganza would fit Avery perfectly and be beyond spectacular. Just like he saw Avery—perfect and spectacular.
Avery chose handmade tuxedos for them both. The tailors performed fittings as late as a couple of days ago to make sure everything fit just right. Honestly, Kane had always spent money on his wardrobe, wanting to appear successful to his clientele, but this tuxedo was the most comfortable fit he'd ever worn.
Avery dictated every part of their wedding, but Kane drew the line at the tie. He chose a black silk necktie over the standard bowtie. His negotiating point, he caved, allowing for a slightly ruffled silk dress shirt. Avery loved the shirt he was wearing, saying Kane looked like a prince who rode in and swept him off his feet. It didn't take long for Kane to find he usually got lucky when wearing his prince shirt around the house. Avery was his perfect lover in every sense of the word.
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