“That’s where we differ. I’d wait until we got home.”
“You kissed me in your plane today.” Bobby tilted his head.
“That’s different. No one was around.”
“Wow. You really do have some serious issues with being openly gay that you need to come to terms with.”
“Now you sound like my ex.”
“What does that mean?”
Navy faced the ocean and slipped his hands into his pockets. “Shamus and I could never make it work because I followed the rule don’t ask, don’t tell. I’m sure many of my buddies in the military knew I was gay, but I never told a soul, and no one ever asked. It was best that way. So when Shamus was around, he was just a friend, not my lover.”
“That’s fucking cold.”
“Those were about his exact words. And I know you’re both right. I hurt him in ways that he can’t ever forgive me for, and I wish I could take some of that away for him. For myself.” Navy turned. “I am different today. I am more open. More people know. Hell, your entire family does, and I’m not upset over it.”
“Because they accept you and it’s a safe environment. It’s like walking into a gay bar. I bet you’d feel different if I had more of your upbringing and my family frowned upon it,” Bobby said with a bitter taste in his mouth. “Being told your entire life that who you are and what you feel is against everything your family believes in will force any person to stuff their true self into a nice neat little box inside their soul. You can tell yourself that the military’s attitude toward the LGBT community and the fact that you’re a decade older than me and things were a tad different for you growing up forced you to remain in the closet. But you’re forty years old and you’re living in fear, not so much of being gay, because I can tell you’re comfortable with your sexuality.” Bobby pressed his hand against the center of Navy’s chest. “But the little boy inside of you is terrified not just of what people think about you, but you’re afraid of love. For whatever reason, you’re scared to give you heart completely. I suspect it’s because if you openly do it, you’re afraid you’ll lose your family for good and deep down, all you want is for them to accept and love you for who you really are.”
“Sounds like you’ve got yourself some really good fiction and we’ve both had a little too much to drink.”
“I’ll give you the fact I’m a little tipsy.” Bobby palmed Navy’s face, running his thumb under his cheek. “But my job as an author is to understand people. It’s why my degree is in psychology and not creative writing. You’re protecting your heart, but I’m not exactly sure you understand what you’re protecting it from.”
Navy’s lips parted and Bobby took that as an invitation. A warmth spread across his body as they embraced. Their tongues tangled in a familiar dance as the evening ocean sounds became a romantic lullaby.
Bobby slid his hands down Navy’s back, stopping at the swell of his back. Holding him close, Bobby deepened the kiss. He knew he shouldn’t. Navy was the kind of man that Bobby had been searching for and he held the power to break Bobby’s heart.
He could respect Navy’s need for privacy. He needed it too, but he’d want to be able to say in an interview, when asked, who he’d become involved with, and Bobby didn’t think that was too much to ask.
Navy took a step back. “I find myself breaking all my rules with you.”
“Sometimes we need to step out of our comfort zone. I learned that today and I’m really glad I did.” Bobby smiled. “I have a proposition for you.”
“If I didn’t have to fly your sister and Casper tomorrow, you could probably twist my arm to stay tonight.”
Bobby let out a short laugh. “Good to know, but I really like you and I’m not willing to risk going too fast.” He ran his finger across Navy’s plump lower lip. “Let’s go out on a date next weekend, and I’m not talking the gay club scene. I’m kind of over all that.”
Navy chuckled. “I’ve never been into clubbing anyway. Not my thing.”
“One more thing we have in common. You should probably order your Lyft.” Bobby took him by the arm and led him into the kitchen.
“Good idea.” Navy pulled out his cell. “I’d really like to see you again, but something tells me you want this date to be very public.”
“I’m not asking you to suck face with me on national television. I just want to be able to go out to dinner at my favorite restaurant and not feel like I have to hide that we’re into each other.”
“Friday night?”
“You’re agreeing?” Bobby lowered his chin.
“Don’t act so surprised. It’s not like I’ve never been on a date before. I am forty.” Navy narrowed his eyes. “How old are you, really?”
“At this point, does it matter?”
“Yes. No. I don’t know.” Navy let out a long breath.
“I’m twenty-five.” Bobby tapped Navy’s cell. “Your ride is here.”
Navy leaned in and gave Bobby a quick, but passionate kiss. “I’ll see you next weekend. Don’t get behind on your words and feel free to reach out to me. I sometimes get bored when I’m sitting around waiting for my next flight.”
“You might regret that statement.”
“I doubt it.”
Bobby walked Navy to the door and watched him saunter toward the Lyft.
Navy paused and glanced over his shoulder. “I can arrange for someone to get my car tomorrow, if that’s okay.”
“Sure thing. Good night.”
“Take care.” Navy waved and ducked into the vehicle.
Bobby closed the door and leaned against the wood, letting out a long sigh. This had to be the craziest thing he’d ever done.
And he never felt so alive.
6
Navy slammed the gearshift of his SUV into park. He snagged his cell from its cradle on the dash and tapped the screen. Mr. Walgreen had been kind enough to let Navy take two days off to deal with his family crisis.
Living only thirty miles from his family had been the only negative about working for Casper and his old man. And it wasn’t even that he had to be in such close proximity to his family as much as he missed what the rest of the world had.
He hated to admit it, even only to himself, that Bobby had struck a nerve.
Navy: R U around?
Bubbles appeared on his screen immediately.
Bobby: Aren’t you supposed to be taking off right about now?
Navy: Change in plans. My father was taken to UCLA, Santa Monica Emergency Room a couple of hours ago.
His phone vibrated with an incoming call.
“Hey, Bobby. You didn’t have to call.” Navy stepped from his vehicle and slowly made his way toward the entrance.
“What happened?”
“I don’t know much. My little sister called just as I was boarding. She said he collapsed. That’s all the information I have.”
“How are you holding up?”
“Honestly? I don’t know.” Navy paused by the sliding doors that led to the emergency room. “The last time we spoke it wasn’t a pleasant conversation.”