Page 33 of The Trust
“Um, Mackie,” Toby says, his brown eyes leveling me. “It would be for himself, also. You aren’t the only queer guy in the group anymore. Plus, there’s Lemon? And that one you were telling me about. Pope or something?”
I snicker and nod. “Poe.”
“Yeah, that one.”
Sighing, I study the clarity in my friend’s eyes. The honey flecks through the brown that I remember from my childhood before life stole Toby from us for a bit. He’s good now, but he’s got this thing that …
“I would imagine being queer is a lot like being an addict.”
Toby flinches and blinks. “Why would you compare this to that?”
“Because. It’s a part of us. Something we have to live with, even when you might not want to. Society doesn’t understand it, though they pretend to, and so many people beat around it like it’s a curse.”
He shakes his head. “It’s not a curse.”
I swallow hard as I squeeze his shoulder and blink back the burn in my eyes at his admission.
“No, it’s not, Broby. It’s just part of who we are.”
There’s a hint of a smile that plays on my friend’s lips and I just know that he’s thinking of his girl.
“It makes us stronger. Worth fighting for.”
I knuckle his shoulder and turn back to the case to hide the way my eyes mist over. “Proud of you.”
He sniffs. “Shut up and pick out a ring for your man.”
It’s thick, his words, but they mean everything.
“Where’s my twin? He’ll know what feels right.”
Snorting, Toby nods across the store where my brother holds up a pretty necklace that glints in the light.
“She’d hate that,” I call out and Rex nods.
“You’re right. Think she’d let me put a ring on every finger instead?”
Shaking my head, I can’t hide my smile.
“Love you, fart munch.”
“Fine. What about another wedding band?”
“She’salreadyyour wife,” I call back with a chuckle.
My twin grins across the store at me. “Yeah, she is.”
God, I love my family.
Jordan
Occasionally, my boyfriend sleepwalks.
It’s been a few weeks since he’s done anything besides just get out of bed and climb back in on the other side, even if I’m already occupying the space.
His arcade opening is giving him anxiety, but I know it’ll be perfect.
So, when I feel the jamming of something in my arm pit, I just move over. Let him slide back in my spot and fling an arm over my hips.
