Long_Way_Home Read Free

longer.
    What really made up my mind was the bone-deep loneliness I felt radiating off him. I could relate; I’d lost him too. I’d been living openly as a gay man in the city and it made me mad that my best friend didn’t know me. Even if he recoiled from me in horror, at least the truth would be out in the open at last.

14
    The Long Way Home / Catt Ford

    “I didn’t want to dance at your wedding.” I could have smacked myself in the forehead. Way to boldly declare my sexual orientation!
    His lips curved slightly upward and trembled, like he was trying not to smile. “What wedding?”
    “I thought you were engaged to June Singer,” I said stupidly. “You’ve been married the last five years…. Haven’t you?”
    “Married? What makes you think I was married?”
    “I – I just assumed – Your sister Leslie told me you were engaged,” I said, feeling stunned.
    “Did you ever ask your mother?”
    “No.” The truth was that I couldn’t bear to hear about his wedded bliss so I’d never asked.
    Finally the smile that was struggling to emerge succeeded and familiar dimples dug into his cheeks. “June was her best friend. Les was always trying to get me to date her.” He waved a dismissive hand. “She’s not my type.”
    “Oh.”
    “Aren’t you going to ask what my type is?”
    “Jake, I’m gay,” I blurted. I steeled myself as I waited for his response, for him to yell at me, or sneer, or maybe just leave without another word.

15
    The Long Way Home / Catt Ford

    “Well, damn. So that’s what it was.” I looked up; his eyes were luminous again and he was grinning at me, the same open, delighted smile of the photograph when we were ten. “I thought you ran because you figured out how I felt about you.”
    “You – you – felt about – I ran –” I sputtered. “ You’re gay too?”
    “Yeah, you, me, and I.” He looked good enough to eat.
    “What are the odds?” He stripped off his gloves and held out his hand to me.
    I took his hand and his warm fingers closed around my freezing ones.
    “You’re cold,” he said.
    I launched myself at him and he caught me in his arms, feeling so good. I stared into his eyes seeing the truth there, naked and laid out for me to see. “How – what – why didn’t you – I can’t believe this.”
    “I just know I’ve always loved you,” he said softly.
    I kissed him. It was too soon for a hot, sexy kiss; I just wanted to taste him, like I’d been dreaming of all these years. I wasn’t disappointed; his mouth was delicious and soft, eager for me as I brushed my lips against his. I felt his body tremble and wrapped my arms around him protectively.
    I could sense that this was all new to him. I had a brief 16

    The Long Way Home / Catt Ford

    moment of bitter regret that my first time couldn’t have been with him, but I tossed it away. It was what it was.
    Then I pulled back and studied his face.
    “Don’t do that,” Jake pleaded.
    “What?”
    “Give me that look full of doubt. I’ve never lied to you and I wouldn’t about something as important as this.” I touched his cheek with my fingertips and he closed his eyes, turning his face into my hand and rubbing against my palm like a cat, before shivering because my fingers were cold.
    “I always loved you,” I said in a tone of wonder.
    “I should have told you. I always swore to myself that I would, but I thought there was time. I kept putting it off and then you went to college.” He stared at me accusingly. “You never came back. Not even for summer vacation.”
    “I had to work my way through, I got a job….” My voice trailed off. We both knew the reason I hadn’t come back.
    He bent his head to kiss me and his lips were hungry, if clumsy, as if he didn’t do this very often. “I want us to make love.”
    I laughed, feeling lighter than I had in six years. “You sure you want to strip in here? It’s freezing.” 17

    The Long Way Home / Catt Ford

    He covered one of my