Page 106 of Call Me Sir

“When Oliver and I were thrown into the spotlight, all my sister did to make our father more accepting was overshadowed.”

Oliver nods.

“I’d love to have them. Imagine how comforting that will be for women who leave the religion and see others like them sharing their experiences,” I say.

Everyone perks up and we clear the table.

“I appreciate you coming over,” I say to them at the door.

“For sure! If you’re up for it, we’d love to have you both over,” Oliver says with a genuine smile.

“That would be awesome!” I say back to him.

Ace and Sal shake hands.

“Feel free to text me,” Ace says to him.

I can’t read Sal’s expression, a cross between amused and… is it contentment?

“Sure will.”

“I’ll text you Ace’s number,” Oliver says.

We say one last goodbye then close the door.

Immediately my shoulders relax and I slump against the hallway wall.

Sal starts rubbing my shoulders and my legs wobble.

“You did good.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.” He presses a kiss to my forehead. “Let’s get you to bed.”

“I gotta clean,” I grumble.

“The chef does not clean the kitchen.”

That makes me smile.

Walking me to my room, Sal slips my shorts down and gently pushes me to sit on the bed. After he pulls off my shirt, he helps slip my nightshirt on and even brings me my toothbrush.

I brush quickly, hand it back and he eases me into bed. The whole thing is a bit silly, yet when he kisses my lips and turns off the light, tears stream down my cheeks as I listen to him cleaning the dishes and the kitchen up.

Struggling to keep my eyes open, I wipe at the tears on my cheek, I finally let them close and drift off.

Thirty Six

Sal

Washing the dishes is therapeutic as the evening replays in my mind. There’s a strange sense of gratitude for Ace. He understands what it’s like to have a shitty father, and from what I recall, his mother died as well. How the hell do we have so much in common, yet I’ve spent all this time hating him?

The realization makes me shake my head. I’ve been absolutely absurd.

While I don’t follow celebrity gossip, I can see why they’re loved by many. They compliment each other so well. If people love them, can they love and accept me and Cole too?

The pleading in my chest is overshadowed by the anger for my father. How dare he make up some insane lie that i moved to Italy. Didn’t he love her? Everyone knew she died. When did it get so twisted?

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