Page 79 of The Road Home
Orson leaned back as Jared's hand clamped down around his hips. "You're sure this is okay? I haven't worn anything like this since Junior Prom."
"You went to prom?"
"I didn't have a date, but I went. A couple friends and I just hung out. It was the place to be." Orson stared into the mirror, taking in how the two of them looked together. "Did you go to yours?"
"No, I wasn't much of a dancer, and I didn't go to a lot of school events. My parents thought they were a waste of time when I was younger, then as I got older, I just didn't go." Jared stared at him in the mirror. "My parents were strange. They thought school was for learning, not fun. Going to football games or dances got in the way of work. They figured I had enough to do on the ranch. The only reason they allowed Daryl to come around was he was a rancher too and he'd help around our ranch and they let me go over to help with his."
"Were his parents like yours?"
"No, they were cool. I loved going over there. Things were so different."
"I'm sorry your parents were like that."
"You're hardly one to be sorry about my parents being bad after what yours did."
"I know, but up until they found out I was gay, they were great. It was like that was the switch that changed everything." Orson turned in his arms. "I don't want to talk about our families. I'd rather focus on us now, on our family."
"Me too." Jared kissed him softly. "You ready?"
"Yeah, just need to put on my shoes."
"I'll go let Tippy out quickly, then once she's done we can go." Jared kissed him again before pulling away.
Orson smiled as he grabbed his shoes. As he looked around the bedroom, it hit him how in just a short time they'd managed to get so comfortable with each other. He thought sharing a room would be uncomfortable, but now, as he looked at his things scattered around, and thought about how comfortable he was climbing into bed beside Jared, he realized that this was what he'd always missed. The connection the two of them shared was so strong. He dreaded the day that Jared decided to end it, though things like him deciding to go on a date gave Orson hope that that day wouldn't come anytime soon.
Once ready, he found Jared in the kitchen, filling Tippy's water dish. "Did you have a place in mind for dinner?"
"I was thinking a little Mexican place near your work. It's always got a line to get in, and we can't do reservations, but if we leave now, we should be able to eat and get to the symphony on time. You do like Mexican, right?"
"I love it." Orson hadn't had it in a long time. The last time he remembered having it, he'd gone out with his parents to celebrate his mom's birthday.
"Good." Jared set the water dish down. "Ready?"
"Yep."
Jared flipped off the light before reaching for Orson's hand. "Do you want to drive?'
Orson shook his head. "Not yet." He didn't know exactly where they were going, and the last thing he wanted was to have his first time on the road in years be just as rush hour was ending.
"Okay, but the offer is there if you change your mind."
"Thanks, but like I said, I want to practice a bit first. You know where we are going. I'll let you deal with the traffic and parking downtown."
Once they were in the car, Jared turned to him. "I'm going to try hard tonight to hold your hand and not be scared of peoples' reactions, but I want to apologize now if I can't. If I freak out or get scared."
"Babe, it's okay. I don't want you uncomfortable. If you don't feel you can, I'm okay with just going out. It doesn't have to be anything more than two guys hanging out."
"I want more. I want to change. I need to. I can't keep hiding like this anymore. I admitted to Cameron I was gay. That was the first step. I want to do this. I've hidden long enough. If you, Richard, Tyler, and Cameron can do it, so can I. I think I've let the past settle in and my parents' hate force me into fearing what I shouldn't. I don't want to hide what we have. I want the world to know you're mine. I wanted to kill Cameron when he said he wanted to ask you out."
"He said that?" Orson laughed.
Jared growled, turning back around to start the car. "We aren't talking about it. That was what made me finally admit to him I was gay. I had to stake my claim and let him know to keep his hands off you."
Orson smiled as they backed out of the driveway. He had no interest in anyone other than Jared, but knowing that Cameron had wanted to ask him out was a good feeling. He wasn't used to being desired by other men. At least not that way. What he liked even more was the sudden possessiveness he was seeing Jared display.
"I love you." Orson reached over and placed his hand on Jared's thigh.
"I love you too. Just be patient with me. I'll get there."
