Page 230 of The Liar's Reckoning

“If it’s the way he thinks, I’m sure he’s not the only one. Anyway, this whole thing’s got me thinking about kids who come out when they’re young.” I explain to him the gestalt I had in my parents’ dining room about why it took me so long to act on my desire for men. And, as a result why I won’t be supporting that bill in any way. I have a very different kind of legislation in mind.

“No offense, but you could probably use a therapist,” Silas says.

I laugh. “I don’t know if I can afford one, but I take your point.”

“This is a lot, Graham,” he says seriously.

“No, I know. I’m sure I sound like I’m out of my mind.”

“It’s not that, it’s just—what happened to you today was awful.”

“I didn’t even tell you what my brother said.”

He frowns, and I pull up my text thread with Holden, showing it to him.

His scowl deepens as he reads it, and without thinking, I reach out to smooth the lines on his forehead. He glances up at me with affection and concern. “Wanna suck my cock while you’re at it.”

I run my hand through his hair and shake my head. “I’ll save that. Hopefully it’ll give you something to look forward to if you decide you ever want to see me again.”

Silas takes my hand off his face, but holds it, resting it on his thigh. “Your brother’s a dick.”

“He can be.”

“Just saying with family like that…”

“Yeah, I know.”

Silas puts his empty beer bottle on the bar. “Let’s take this one step at a time.”

“Let’s? As inus?”

He grins. “What are you fishing for?”

“I don’t know. A boyfriend?” We’ve been a lot of things over the last few years. He’s been my doorman, my trainer, my escort, my lover, my ex, my enemy, and my friend, but I really like the sound of boyfriend. I’ve never had one of those.

“You don’t want to date around a little?” he asks. “See what’s out there? I might not end up being your type.”

I burst out laughing. “I’ve had offers. Well, one.”

He squeezes my hand and tugs it slightly. “You’re mine, though,” he says. “Type.”

“And?”

“I’m yours.”

“Type?”

“No…just…yours. You got me. Honestly, I hate to admit it, but you’ve always had me.”

“I hate to hear it,” I say. “Well…part of me does.”

“What does the other part say?” he asks.

“Damn right.” I grin at him, and he returns it before pressing his lips together and casting his eyes down, almost shyly.

“Do you have to move to Florida?”

Silas drops his head back and groans, giving me that angle of him I love so much—my favorite. When he’s done doing that, he says, “Can you honestly tell me you want to have to deal with this all the time?” He gestures at the crowded bar, the people and their very unsubtle phones.

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