Page 137 of The Texas Sterling Collection
Stewy nodded. “Just like I didn’t have the guts to come out to my parents, I didn’t have the guts to tell you how I felt. Then you went one way, and I went another.”
“I felt that loss, Stewy. You were my best friend. But anything more than that never entered my mind. Back then, I didn’t experience urges for men, or women, for that matter. You know I never dated in high school.”
Stewy reached out and touched his shoulder. “You’re a very handsome guy, and I could still go for you in a heartbeat.” He leaned closer, “You want to see what you missed back in high school?”
* * *
Inside, Rod and Matthew put the potato wedges in the oven to roast and spooned the broccoli salad into a serving bowl. They took the plates and silverware to set the table.
“I wonder how the steaks are doing?” Rod asked. He glanced out at Stewy and Wyl and gasped. Matthew glanced too. Stewy and Wyl stood in a lip-lock, with Wyl’s hands on Stewy’s shoulders.
Shock jolted through Rod like he’d been stuck with a cattle prod. Silverware clattered to the table as he dropped everything and ran for the elevator. “Matthew, I’m sorry,” his voice broke. “But I need to leave.” He rushed into the open elevator and repeatedly pressed the lobby button.
* * *
Out on the balcony, unaware of the witnesses, Wyl shoved Stewy away. “Stewy, stop! I don’t like you that way and am not interested in a tryst. Rod is my whole life, and he is all I need.”
The balcony door slid open, and Matthew poked his head out. “Wyl, we both witnessed your kiss. Rod left in a hurry.”
“Shit!” Panic flooded Wyl. “Stewy, watch the steaks.” Wyl’s voice shook. “Matthew, watch anything in the kitchen.” Wyl’s voice broke. “I gotta go after my husband!”
Wyl ran to the elevator and pounded the call button repeatedly with his fist. It took an eternity for the elevator to arrive and even longer for it to descend to the lobby. The doors finally opened, and Wyl raced to the security desk. “Did Rod Sterling go through here?” Wyl asked.
“Yes, sir. He went out the main doors. I think he walked north.” The security guard noticed the panic in Wyl’s expression. “Is everything okay, Mr. Sterling?”
“Everything is fine. I need to find him,” Wyl shouted as he ran for the doors. Outside, Wyl ran down the circular drive and scanned the street to the left, hoping to see Rod. No Rod anywhere. He searched in the other direction. No Rod. Gasping for air, he fell on his back onto a bench in front of the building. Bending his knees, he closed his eyes and steadied his breathing to ease the hyperventilation.Calm down. You’ll find him. Calm down. Calm down.As the panic subsided, he stood unsteadily, steadying his legs before turning to walk north. Maybe Rod went all the way to Market Street. Tears clouded his vision at the thought of Rod, overwhelmed by emotional stress over something he witnessed that differed from how it appeared. He broke into a trot down to Market Street. At the corner, he looked both ways but didn’t see Rod. He remembered Rod pointing out the Civic Center as they rode the bus from Pier 39 and mentioning a large, grassy mall. He ran in that direction and found the plaza. A lone figure sat on the grass in the center of the plaza. He broke into a run, smiling through his tears. Nearing Rod, he could see his shoulders heaving. He breathed a sigh of relief as he dropped to his knees before his husband. “Rod? Baby? I’m glad I found you.”
Rod glared at him with red, wet eyes. “Go away,” he shouted through a sob, shoving against Wyl’s shoulder with a fist. “I saw you and Stewy. You pulled him into a lip-lock. You forgot to tell me you still carried a torch for your high school boyfriend!”
Rod’s anger stabbed Wyl through the heart. He reached out, but Rod’s arm flew up to block, blades of grass flying. “Leave me alone.” Rod choked out words as loud as his emotional state allowed.
Wyl huffed out a sigh. “It’s not what you think. Stewy forced himself on me, and I physically pushed him away. He told me he loved me back in high school and tried to talk me into a tryst, but I rejected his advances.”
“Seriously?” Rod cocked an eyebrow, sniffling the word. “It certainly didn’tlooklike you rejected his advances. I saw your hands on his shoulders!”
Wyl grabbed Rod’s face between his powerful hands. Rod struggled to turn away, but couldn’t.
“Let me go!” Rod’s shout filled the air as he struggled to break free.
“Not until you listen to me, Rod Sterling,” Wyl said. “You’re my husband. We are married. I wear a wedding ring that seals the deal. Nobody but nobody is going to come between you and me. My life is nothing without you. Do you hear me? Stewy grabbed me and kissed me. What you witnessed was me desperately trying to push Stewy away. I told him you are the only man for me, and the only man I ever want.”
Rod stopped struggling, and his lower lip trembled. His eyes teared again. “Really?” His watery, red-rimmed hazel eyes met Wyl’s.
“Really,” Wyl said. He stroked Rod’s cheek with his thumb to wipe away a tear.
“Oh, babe, I’m so sorry I overreacted.” Rod opened his arms. “I never expected to see you in the arms of another man.”
Wyl pulled him into an embrace. “I was not in the arms of another man. I wanted out of those arms. I didn’t like it at all.”
Rod buried his face in Wyl’s shoulder and let the sobs break free. Wyl held him and let him cry it out.
“I love you, Rod Sterling,” Wyl whispered softly in his ear as Rod shook with sobs. “I love only you. I am attracted only to you and never want anyone but you.”
“I’m glad you came after me, Wyl. You and Stewy were best friends. Seeing you together like that, my brain went where it shouldn’t have, and I thought you might have been high school sweethearts. I felt so devastated, I didn’t know what to do.”
“Baby, I wouldn’t have stopped searching until I found you.” Wyl held Rod in a tight embrace. “I can’t live without you.”
Rod composed himself, and Wyl kissed him. That spark still existed, and the vibes they both felt helped to heal Rod’s wounded emotions.
