Page 35 of No More Jocks

“So, who’s Caleb?” Brandon said as he stepped into the living room.

“You were listening to my conversation?”

“I stood there to make sure homeboy didn’t kill you and just overheard the discussion. I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop. You want to talk about it?”

“There’s nothing to talk about. The cat is out of the bag,” I replied. My brother was among the last people I wanted to talk to about this outside of my mother. I was angry, yet relieved.

“Marcus, I’m bisexual too,” Brandon said. My eyes widened, and I almost choked on the water I had just swallowed.

“What?”

“Wow, that felt amazing to get off my chest.”

“When? How long have you known? Does mom know?”

“I’ve known since I was twelve, so it’s been about fifteen years now, and hell no, I haven’t told mom.”

“Have you fucked a guy before?”

“Of course. I’m a twenty-seven-year-old man with needs.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“The same reason you didn’t tell. I was embarrassed and didn’t know how you would treat me. I’ve lost good friends over my sexuality. I didn’t want to lose my baby brother as well.”

“Bro, I wouldn’t disown you.”

“I know that now but didn’t know that then.” There was a long, awkward pause between us. I knew he had shared his secret with me and that he expected me to share some details of mine back with him. I wanted to share this part of my life with him, but I knew once I spoke the words, I couldn’t take them back.

“If you aren’t comfortable talking about it. That’s fine. I just wanted you to know. I know this lifestyle can be lonely. Tell me when you’re comfortable. I’m going to head upstairs to pack.”

“Caleb is my boyfriend,” I blurted out. My brother’s eyes lit up with excitement at my willingness to share. He turned around, headed back down the stairs, and sat on the couch beside me.

“How long have you been dating? Have you all done the nasty? What does he look like?”

“Damn, you trying to get all in my business,” I laughed. It’s only been a couple of months. But, yes, we’ve done the nasty, and you know what he looks like.

“I’ve met him?”

“Yes, he stopped by the other day. He was looking for me at the back window. He said he saw some muscular chocolate man looking out my window. He thought you were my boyfriend, and I was cheating on him. You and Bradley are out here fucking up my relationship.”

“The little skinny, nerdy kid with the glasses that was throwing rocks at the window?”

“That’s him.”

“Tell him I’m sorry for cursing him out.”

“You cursed him out?”

“Hell yeah! He was throwing rocks at the window; I thought he was some delinquent teenager trying to vandalize our home.”

“Well, he isn’t a delinquent; he’s, my tutor?”

“You’re fucking your tutor? Well, I hope you’re not paying him, and your ass better get an A.”

“Honestly, we haven’t been doing much studying lately.”

“So why was Bradley telling you to be nice to him?”

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