Page 109 of The Kiss Of Death
“Stop this nonsense! You don’t know what you’re talking about. In college, everyone tries new things.”
“I’m gay,” Sylas confessed, a tear glistening in his eye.
It was my turn to squeeze his hand, chewing the inside of my cheek. He did it. He found the courage to face him. Mr.Archambault’s eyes also welled up, and I prayed he would accept him.
“You’re not,” he spat, and I felt Sylas’s grip loosening on my hand. “You’re confused.”
“I’m not. I’m in love with Kay.”
My heart thudded loudly in my chest, goose bumps scattering on my spine. Sylas displayed a strength I would never have.
“I’m still your son, Dad; it doesn’t change a thing. I’m still me. I’m—” Sylas attempted to embrace his father, but he recoiled, bumping into the table behind him.
“You disgust me.” His father grimaced. “I didn’t raise you to become one of them.”
Stop. This had to stop.
“How could you speak to your son like that? He loves you more than anything and tries to hide who he is, for you! To please you!” I erupted, each syllable punctuated with the rage inside my heart of all the things I’d never been able to tell my father. “Everyone loves him here! He’s an example to so many people. And you’re hurting him because he likes men? What does it change, forfuck’ssake!”
His father gasped, hearing the f-word from my mouth.Fuck him. “Dalia, don’t intervene, or I’ll tell your father how this school has corrupted his daughter.”
“And if you speak to her again in that tone, with all due respect, sir, I’ll ruin your life,” Levi added from behind my back.
“And who are you?”
“My boyfriend,” I defended, piercing through Levi’s controlled mask. His brows shot up, and his eyes widened imperceptibly as a flicker of surprise passed over his features. I turned back to face Mr. Archambault. “Sylas is my friend, and I’ll support him. You can tell my dad whatever you want, but Sylas is a good person, and you should be proud of the man he hasbecome! If you can’t love him for who he is, you’re not worthy of being his father.”
His narrowed gaze bore into me, and I was screwed. So screwed. Sylas’s bravery had rubbed off on me, and the consequences would be disastrous. I had never been one to fight for myself, but witnessing Sylas being belittled by his father flipped a switch in my head.
Sylas shouldn’t have to fight for his father’s love, just as I shouldn’t have to fight for mine.
“You best reconsider,” Sylas’s dad warned, dismissing my outburst by fixing his gaze on his son. “If a whisper about your… preferences leaks, I’ll never forgive you.”
“All you care about is politics and catching Los Calaveras,” Sylas said, his words laden with bitterness.
“Don’t bother coming home for Christmas if you’re not ready to act like a man.” He pushed his shoulder and stormed out of the café, slamming the door behind him.
Amid the wreckage, Sylas let out a shaky laugh, tears still clinging to his lashes. He crumpled to his knees. “Well, I believe I just ended my relationship with my father, lost the man I love, and got you in trouble, Dalia. I’m sorry.”
My heart was breaking. He wasn’t at fault. I was so proud of him.
“You did nothing wrong, I—” I began, intending to crouch beside him, but before I could, Levi moved faster.
He lunged forward and grabbed the fabric of Sylas’s blazer, yanking him off the floor with a forceful grip.
“Levi!” I screamed.
“I hate people who cry,” Levi said, his voice cold and unforgiving. “It makes me want to put them in a casket. Bury them, so I won’t hear their cries anymore. Do you want to be thrown in a casket, Sylas?”
“You’ve never had a heart, Levi. How would you know how it feels?” Sylas shot back, pushing him away.
“Your father wants you to be a man, so prove to him you can be a damn man. Beat him at his own game. Become better than him. You want a career in politics, use your strength and vision. People gather around you for some unknown reason because you’re fucking annoying. Start a political party instead of following your father’s beliefs,” Levi finished, his words cutting through the air with a razor-sharp edge. “This is my last pep talk. I hate doing this and losing the only dirt I had on you so far.”
Sylas gulped. “Thanks, I guess. I think I need some time alone to process this.”
“You can talk to me anytime,” I added.
Sylas nodded. “I’ll be fine, Dalia. I’ll see you later.”
