Page 80 of Unexpected Boyfriends

Axel just shrugs.

“Well, let’s get you settled, and then we can have a cup of tea and make plans. Have you got bags?”

Axel nods. “I’ll get them.”

While he’s fetching our backpacks, Gran shows me to my room. The walls are painted in a peaceful blue color, and there’s a single bed, a dresser and a bookcase. Filmy curtains cover the floor-to-ceiling glass that looks out onto a balcony with a stunning view of the bay. A beautiful salty breeze blows gently through the open window.

“This is Max’s room when he visits,” Gran says in her sing-song voice. “There are empty drawers in the dresser where you can put your things, Justin. Make yourself at home. This is your room for as long as you need it.”

“Thank you. It’s a beautiful room. It’s… peaceful.”

“Yes. This room has seen some stories over the years.” She sighs, a wistful expression flickering across her face, but she doesn’t elaborate on her comment.

Axel appears in the doorway with my backpack and puts it down inside. His eyes flick to the bed, and I can almost see what he’s thinking.

Gran turns to Axel.

“I assumed you’d stay at least one night before driving back to Sydney, so I’ve made up the other guest room for you. It’s down here.”

She leads the way to the other bedroom which is located a little further down the corridor and on the other side, facing the garden instead of towards the bay. It’s a storage room aswell as a bedroom, as evidenced by the piles of laundry on the cupboards and the sewing machine in the corner. There’s also a large bed, at least a double, probably queen size.

“While you’re here, this is your room,” Gran says. Then adds nonchalantly, “My room is across the hall, but I sleep quite soundly, so I won’t hear if you move around in the night.”

I’m pretty sure she just gave us carte blanche to sleep together.

Chapter 34

Gran’s House, Melbourne

AXEL

After giving us a quick tour of the house that will be Justin’s home for the next six weeks, Gran makes a pot of tea and we sit at the kitchen table to discuss the situation.

“Max has given me an outline of your circumstances, but why don’t you fill me in on any details you think I need to know,” Max’s grandmother starts the conversation.

“Well, the police showed up at my place looking for Justin, so we think he’s been reported a missing person,” I explain.

“At your house? That’s… interesting.”

“Justin’s grandparents must have figured out we were involved with each other.”

“They did,” inserts Justin. I give him a look. He hasn’t mentioned this so far.

“My mother also knew, but she seemed uncomfortable with the police turning up. I don’t think she would have called them,” I continue. “Anyway, it means Justin needs to stay out of public view, you know, just in case someone recognizes him.”

“You know gay conversion therapy or whatever name they use to conceal what it really is, is illegal in Victoria, don’t you?”

“Yes, but they sent him interstate. It wasn’t done here.”

“It’s also illegal to send someone interstate for the purpose of giving them that therapy.”

“Didn’t stop them last time,” Justin points out. “If I get sent home, they’ll just do it again.”

“Well, you could report them to the police. What they did is a crime, not simply morally reprehensible.”

Justin looks bleak. “But they’re my parents, you know? If I report them, I’ll lose them. They won’t want anything to do with me anymore.”

Gran looks at him sympathetically.

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