Total pages in book: 120
Estimated words: 116254 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 581(@200wpm)___ 465(@250wpm)___ 388(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116254 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 581(@200wpm)___ 465(@250wpm)___ 388(@300wpm)
Kai maneuvered his dolly of boxes back out again. Scott exited behind him, then fell in beside him and started talking again, his words sounding more thoughtful this time, as if he were expressing them with a degree of finesse.
“When me and Tad first started interacting… he kinda dragged his feet about coming out. I understood and tried to give him time, but…” His expression sobered. “In the end, it was just too hard. I couldn’t do it.”
Kai looked at him, sensing the emotion in his voice. “That’s a tough place to be.” He could certainly relate.
Scott nodded. “Yeah, it hurt, Tad wanting to keep me a secret. Thankfully, he came around in the end. But honestly? I don’t think I could’ve stayed away even if he hadn’t. I love him, ya know? And despite my pride, I’m confident I would’ve waited for that man forever.” He flicked Kai a smile as they eased their dollies off the curb and onto the asphalt.
Kai returned the gesture as best he could. “I’m glad he didn’t make you wait.” Tad had faced his fears and Kai respected that.
“Yeah. Me, too.” Scott’s smile spread wider. But then his expression turned thoughtful again. “Although, in hindsight, I realize now that it hadn’t just been Tad’s reservations that’d been fucking things up. My own issues had been part of the problem, too.”
Kai eyed him as they closed in on their cars. “Your issues?”
Scott exhaled. “My need to be accepted and not the source of someone else’s shame. Growing up, my dad had always been embarrassed of me because I was gay. The bane of his existence. His greatest regret.” He slowed to a stop at the rear of his car. “So it’s like I superimposed those buried emotions onto my relationship with Tad. And that wasn’t fair. Tad wasn’t my dad and never would be. I should’ve been more patient, more understanding, and given him the time that he deserved.”
Kai frowned, pausing at his own car, parked next to Scott’s. Again, like at the art show, Scott’s words made him wonder if he’d been doing the same. Allowing his resentment of Ryan to taint his perception of Breck.
Maybe it was time for Kai to admit that his problem wasn’t solely with Breck. Recalling how quickly Ryan’s infidelity had surged back at the first sight of Breck with those girls—it was clear his own baggage was still affecting him. Influencing his discernment. Making him begrudge Breck and his driving ambition. Not to mention, judging all high-profile professions as inherently negative.
But Ryan’s success in modeling hadn’t been the problem, his character had. Nor were Breck’s basketball ambitions the issue. Just his fear.
Breck wasn’t the only one harboring fear, though. Kai realized that, in a way, he was scared of things, too. Like being another man’s second string, standing on the sidelines, or worse—left behind.
Thing was, Breck’s fears were proving just as strong as his aspirations and, unlike Tad, he seemed more than content hiding behind his straight-boy façade.
Sighing, Kai popped his trunk and started loading it with boxes. “You’re a lucky man to have found him, Scott. Someone willing to take that kind of risk for you.”
Scott paused and met his gaze. “It wasn’t luck. It was love.” He smiled wryly. “A power one would be wise not to underestimate. If there’s a will, I guarantee, it will find a way.”
Kai eyed him, sensing that Scott was talking to him between the lines. On the surface, discussing his journey with Tad, while underneath… attempting to give Kai some advice. As if he understood, and wholly respected, why Kai couldn’t discuss his situation with Breck.
His lips curved in appreciation. Sometimes he swore Scott was the oldest of souls.
Grabbing another box, he set it next to the others, then repeated the action until his trunk was full, all the while contemplating Scott’s words. The counsel he’d offered without putting Kai on the spot.
Scott may be right about the power of love, but in Kai’s situation, love wasn’t the only formidable opponent at play. Fear and pride were also on the court. And neither one looked to be tiring.
— SIXTEEN —
“Man, it was crazy. That girl has serious game. I’ve never had a woman play so hard to get in all my life. She made me work for it that night at the bar. That’s why I didn’t come back to our table for so long.”
Breck smirked as he pulled his darts from Ned’s dartboard. “Maybe she’s just not into you, pretty boy. Surely there’s gotta be a couple on this planet who aren’t.”
“Nah, man.” Ned moved into throwing position. “She was definitely into me. Was throwing blatant you’re-the-one-for-me vibes with those big, beautiful, ocean-blue eyes.”
“Hmm. So maybe she’s just shy?”
“I dunno...” He sounded perplexed. “Felt more like she was wary… or guarded or something. Her whole demeanor was totally intense.” He threw his darts.