Page 1 of My One Rule

One

Oliver

We drive along the coast, the sun beating down on us and our hair blowing in the wind.

Ace looks dazzling with the smile he wears. It’s about time. Our relationship has been non stop chaotic. Mostly from outside forces. And while I love the friends I’ve made, I’m enjoying the start of our trip; just the two of us.

Ace’s Tesla has the best AC I’ve ever experienced. He rolls up the window and I bask in the cool air enveloping us.

Accepting a job position as a House Pet from an ad on Craigslist was stupid as hell, yet turned into a life changing experience. My thoughts buoy from where I started when I first met him to where I am now. My parents and entire congregation are shunning me. In those final months I was drowning in loneliness and even considered going back to the meetings. It was the only way I could crawl out of the hole I found myself in, or so I thought.

To think a Craigslist ad saved my life is wild.

Ace glances over at me and gives me the warmest grin. My heart stutters in my chest and I squeeze his hand.

Now that I’m all healed from the accident, we’re spending some time away as a very late birthday celebration. As we packed for the trip I pointed out that it was nearly my twenty-second birthday, it was a little late to celebrate now. But Ace had that pleading warmth in his eyes. How could I say no?

“A Thursday to Saturday, though?” I had asked.

Was he trying to get a better price? Was he taking me somewhere that was expensive even for a millionaire?

I didn’t pester him though because it didn’t matter.

Besides, after both our recoveries, everyone, especially Chance, said we deserved a weekend away.

To be honest, I think my best friend just wants to have sex with his girlfriend uninterrupted in the giant mansion.

Ace loudly stated in front of everyone how our friend deserved to be as loud as I usually am. Somehow I didn’t die of embarrassment.

Ace returns his gaze to the road and I let my mind wander again as my gaze goes out to the sea where white caps break out across the surface without reason. The sea is so turbulent and incredible, the same as life can be.

There’s so much to be happy about, yet my mind crawls back into the stuff that’s tucked away. I want it to stay put away, but the second unopened letter from my mom comes to mind. Why can’t I bring myself to read this one?

The first one was easy to ignore. They kicked me out for being gay. Their love felt conditional. I mean, it was hard, of course. But I got over it.

It’s different now, though. I literally almost died and they were ready to let me die.

Is this a letter saying she still supports their decision? Or is it a letter expressing how awful she feels about everything?

“Ollie?”

Ace’s voice startles me and I jump.

His soft chuckle quells the jumble of emotions raging inside me.

“We’re here.”

The sparkle in his gray eyes is hard to look away from. However, the sound of the city and the gates to welcome us to the hotel are insane and steal my attention!

We pull up to a tower where a guy and Ace start chatting away.

“Enjoy your stay at the resort,” the man says with a beaming grin.

“Wow, what is this place?”

Ace does a little dance in his seat then starts gesturing around the tall, yellow buildings. Vines climb some of the walls and there are little terraces with string lights that aren’t on now but will be later. The clay roofs add to the atmosphere. I roll down my window and the car is instantly filled with what sounds like an electric violin.

“I wanted you to have the best weekend ever. I haven’t been here in a really long time…” He swallows hard. “With my mom.”

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