Page 14 of My Dear Mr. Corporate

“You’d choose him over me? I’ve known you for ten years. I know you better than anyone else.”

“Then know me enough to understand that I’m old enough to pick out my own boyfriends. I do not want to choose between the two most important people in the world to me. Be his friend, Gio. For my sake.”

He seemed almost ready to argue, the look in his eyes conflicted before he sighed and raised his glass to me. “Fine. I’ll back off. I didn’t mean to make your boy toy uncomfortable.”

“Gio.”

“Sorry. It’ll take some getting used to seeing you with him.”

“You’ll get used to it. He’s not going anywhere if I have anything to say about it.”

“You love him?”

If anyone else had asked me this question I would have said no, but this was Gio, and I couldn’t lie to him. In all the time we had known each other, the only lie I had told him was one of omission. He hadn’t known I was bisexual because I didn’t know how he would react to it.

“I believe so,” I answered, clutching the small shot glass. “It’s different, the feelings I have for him. I know you think me a fool since it hasn’t been long. Truth is we aren’t even having sex right now. We are reclaimed celibates trying to get to know each other— yeah, laugh all you want but it’s true. We’re both trying hard for this relationship to work, and for that reason, I don’t want you to add to the complications. It’s already hard enough with Bryan declaring his independence and not wanting to accept my help.”

“Fine.” He knocked back another shot of tequila and I frowned at him.

“How many of those have you had?” I asked.

He shrugged. “Why? I haven’t been counting.”

“Because I think you’ve had too many to drive home tonight,” I told him in concern. “I’ll either have to drive you home or let you crash here the night.”

“You’ve had the same number as me,” he pointed out.

That was true. “I guess you’re staying in the guest room then.”

“Don’t think your boyfriend would appreciate that. I don’t think he likes me.”

“If I were he I wouldn’t like you too. You were rude to him which reminds me. You owe him an apology tomorrow about that smartass comment.”

“Ugh. Which one again?”

I glared at him. Jesus Christ. He was really going to make this difficult, wasn’t he? “The go-go dancer comment. He’s a smart guy and he didn’t deserve that.”

He laughed aloud. “I was just kidding. I’m sure he didn’t take me seriously. But be honest, he does have the pretty boy look for it. Don’t tell me you didn’t notice.”

He seemed upset to me and I wasn’t taking any chances. “Just do it, please. For my sake. I really think you’d like him if you tried to get to know him a little.”

“Truth is I don’t want to get to know him,” he replied, sounding like a petulant child who didn’t want to share his best friend with anyone else. “But, for your sake, I’ll try.”

“Good. Now let me show you to your room.”

“Not yet. Since I won’t be driving home tonight, why don’t we finish this bottle of tequila? For old time’s sake.”

I glanced at the entrance of the kitchen as though Bryan would walk in and ask me when I was coming up to bed. I turned back to Gio. “Bryan’s waiting for me.”

“Come on, Tate. You’ll have the guy for a lifetime. I missed out on two years of your friendship. You owe me. In case it escaped you, I don’t have that many friends around either and I missed you, man. Plus, today was just a fucking awful day for me.”

“What happened?”

He shook his head. “I don’t want to talk about it. I’m too late anyway. There’s nothing else I can do about it now but wait.”

“Now you’re keeping secrets from me.”

He gave me a sad smile. “Some secrets are worth keeping until the right time. If there’s a right time. So, what do you say? You’ll help me finish this drink, while we reminisce about college?”

I did want to go to bed with Bryan and have him cuddle against my back or my front as we exchanged positions during the night. At the same time, I felt some guilt for not having been there for Gio lately. He had done so much for me, organizing the funeral to bury my wife and daughter. He had sold my house and bought this one. He had done it all without me even having to coax him. Now he needed me I must be able to spend some time with him.

“Fine,” I told him with a nod. Bryan was a sensitive guy and he would understand. Plus, he was probably asleep already anyway. I’d never seen anyone fall asleep so quickly once their head hit the pillow. I wouldn’t be gone long anyway. We were already half-way through the tequila bottle.

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