Page 12 of Off Limits

“Well, it's too fucking late for that now! Tell me!”

“Okay, but sit back down first. You're gonna have a coronary.”

I plopped my ass back into the recliner and gave him a demanding look. “You've known this for a decade?”

“Well, no, I haven't known that long; for years, I was as oblivious as you.” I would have taken offense if it weren't so true. “He told me back in our freshman year of college. He got a little too drunk and spilled everything. Apparently, he's had it bad for you since he knew he was gay.”

“Shit,” I sighed as I deflated in the chair.

“But this is a good thing! Now you know he feels the same way about you, and you guys can get together.”

“I think I've already blown my chances.”

I told my son about what happened at and after the party; how Gavin and I spent the evening flirting and dancing, and then shared the hottest, most exciting experience of my life before I sent him away.

“First of all,” he began, pinching the bridge of his nose, “Next time, skimp on the details. I do not need to hear about my dad jizzing his pants. Secondly, why the actual fuck would you kick him out?” I laid out all the reasons I had that night, and had been thinking about ever since. “That's dumb, dude.”

I scowled at him. “Okay, yes, given what I know now, my reasons are dumb, but I didn't know any of this at the time! How was I supposed to know how he felt?”

“I mean…you could have asked him.”

My brows furrowed deeper. Wade was making perfectly valid points and I didn't care for it. I was supposed to be the level headed, responsible one with sage fatherly advice. But I'd acted like an idiot, and my son was happy to point that out.

“Like you said, Gavin is a good guy,” he said after several moments of silence. “He'll understand. You two just need to sit down together and hash everything out.”

“I hope you're right. And you're sure you're okay with this?” As much as I wanted a future with Gavin, I also didn't want to upset my son.

“I'm sure. You two are the most amazing people I know, and you would be great together…as soon as you get your head out of your ass.”

“Harsh, but fair.”

Wade laughed, but stopped abruptly as his face went pale. “He's probably got a dozen guys drooling over him right now.”

I felt the color drain from my own face as my stomach churned. “Where did he go?” I'd go pick him up and beg for his forgiveness.

“I'm not sure. It's a big city and there's loads of places he’s talked about checking out.”

“Damn.”

“But I can call him.” Wade was full of good ideas today. Why didn't I think of that? He pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed, but he didn't receive an answer. He tried again, but he still couldn't get in touch with Gavin. “He must not be able to hear his phone over the music. That, or he has his ringer turned off. Hopefully, he will see that I called him and try back.”

“I hope so. What happens if he doesn't?”

Wade gave me a pained expression. “We wait until he gets back.”

I added my worst fear, “And hope he doesn't find someone else.”

*****

I hadn't moved from the recliner for hours. I barely ate anything for dinner. Wade and I had a long heart to heart, but then we'd been silent for the last couple of hours as we waited for Gavin’s return. I sent Wade to bed about thirty minutes ago; I wasn't very good company, and this was something I needed to do on my own.

My heart leapt when I heard the crunching of gravel outside, followed by a car door. But it took a nosedive when I heard two voices just beyond the front door. After a quick jingle of keys, the door opened, and in staggered a disheveled Gavin, followed by a tall, thin stranger.

“Where's your bedroom, sexy?” the mystery man slurred too loudly.

I jumped up from the chair and stomped to the door. “That's none of your concern.”

Both men blinked in surprise, apparently not noticing me in their drunken state, but it was Mr. Lanky who spoke up, hiccuping, “You didn't tell me you lived with your dad.”

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