Page 54 of Fresh Start
“Then I got busy with work. By the time things slowed down, I couldn’t face going back. I knew my dad was upset, and so were my brothers. I haven’t spoken to them in so long. They’re all mad at me. And they’re right. I was a coward.”
“You’re not a coward. You’ve been through a lot,” I said, placing my hand on his back.
“It’s not an excuse. It can’t be an excuse anymore. I just hope it’s not too late to rebuild my relationship with them,” he said.
“You can do it, Leo. I don’t how easy it will be. I mean, I haven’t seen my parents for five years, and my mom is still mad at me, so I can’t imagine what twenty years might be like, but you’ll do your best. Won’t you?”
Leo smiled and turned to look at me.
“You deserve to be forgiven. Just like you’ve forgiven me,” I said and kissed him to show him my gratitude. How lucky was I to find this man again? Being with him made me feel whole again.
Was it too much if I wished he wanted to be whole with me too?
Sixteen
Leo
Acouple of hours later, we made our way back after a lot more food, sex, and sparkling apple juice. I hadn’t had so much fun with someone in a long time, not having to worry about my ex-bandmates, or the media, or anything else for that matter. Being with Dawson was so easy and so oddly liberating, I didn't want it to end.
Of course I wanted to go to LA and audition and snatch that role I’d been dreaming of my entire life, but I also wanted to stay here with him forever and never leave.
I was finally hopeful for the future. Dawson had helped reassure me about the role again, and I was becoming more confident about the outcome.
It was my time to shine. It was my turn to find success. Both in my career and in my personal life. It was my turn to find love.
Yes, love. It was a bit too early to think about it, but I didn't care.
"I want to take you on a date," Dawson said, pulling me out of my little daze.
"Wasn't this a date?" I asked.
"Yes, but I mean like a proper date. A candlelit dinner and some nice music and… I dunno. You know what I mean?"
"I'd love for you to take me on a date," I said.
I smiled and thought he was going to kiss me, but we were in town again, not hidden away by our little cove anymore.
"It's just…" Dawson started to say but hesitated.
"It's just what?" I asked, resisting the urge to reach for him and caress his cheek.
"I dunno. It might be a bit crap, you know? I can't really take you to a nice restaurant or anything, so you might be disappointed."
My urge became overbearing, and I took hold of Dawson's hand, giving it a quick squeeze before releasing it again. Dawson glanced from left to right at the passers-by.
"Don't worry about that. I'm sure whatever you come up with, whatever we do, it will be perfect," I told him.
"I’ll let you know tomorrow. I’ll have a little brainstorming session,” he said, and I grimaced.
“You don’t want to come to my room tonight? After dinner with your parents?”
Dawson tried to hide a smile, but it was impossible. He was beaming as bright as the sun.
“Of course,” he said.
“Good,” I said trying to keep a straight face.
“Good,” Dawson repeated, trying to do the same but failing miserably.
