Zach (Torey Hope: The Later Years #3)
Page 21
She knew she should have left, should have allowed him this intimate moment, but it was too late; an ill-timed sneeze, obstructed by a quick pinch to the nose, but not thwarted completely, literally blew her cover.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Walking arm-in-arm, they headed back toward his house. “So, Josh, huh? Do you want him to be, like, your boyfriend?” Katie nudged Sawyer’s hip in teasingly playful way.
“I like Josh, but I think I like him because he’s the first guy I’ve kissed. I like his body next to mine; I like to have my hands on him; I like to kiss him. Do I like him? I don’t know. I don’t think he’s any closer to admitting or accepting his sexuality than I am, so I don’t see us becoming a couple and publicly outing ourselves. If anything, we’ll spend time behind closed doors and try to figure things out for ourselves, individually.” Katie blushed at the mention of closed doors.
“Hey, bud, that door was practically wide open. I probably should have just walked away, but you two were astonishingly beautiful in your sexy little coupling, and I couldn’t help myself. You should thank your lucky stars it was me and not your mom or dad or brother!” Katie wagged a finger sternly in front of his face.
Sawyer blanched yet again at the thought of his parents or twin brother, Decker, finding him in a compromising position with another man. He knew in his heart that his parents and brother would accept him no matter what, but he didn’t want to bring undue stress or drama into their lives; for now, he’d keep it secret, but he’d tell them once he was a little more comfortable with it himself.
But, the thing with keeping secrets and not being truthful with those who love you is that it gets harder and harder with each day. As the years passed, Sawyer realized he’d missed several prime opportunities to be upfront with his parents and Decker.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I’m gay.
His brother, Decker, had taken the news fairly well. He’d needed a solo walk through the woods to gather his thoughts; Sawyer suspected his always-in-control, serious, black and white brother also needed to come to grips with the fact that he’d never suspected his brother’s sexual preference was different than his own. How ironic that the one person Sawyer was the closest to in the whole world was the one person who was the most clueless.
Sawyer had held his breath practically the whole time Decker had been walking through the woods. A deluge of rain poured down as the dark sky broke open, yet Sawyer still sat alone at the campfire. His head had started playing tricks on him. You disgust him…he can’t stand the thought of having a gay brother…you’ve lost him…he’s not coming back. But Sawyer held out hope that Decker was just doing his usual thinking things through.
He had breathed a sigh of relief when Decker emerged, soaking wet, from the woods. Walking towards him with purpose, his twin had stopped in front of him and spoke the most heartwarming, sincere words Sawyer had ever heard from him.
“You’re my brother, always have been, always will be. I wish you could have told me sooner, but nothing has changed between us. I’ll be there in any and every way that I can.” Decker grabbed Sawyer and pulled him into a deep embrace, communicating his love and acceptance through his touch.
Telling his cousins, Zach and Kendrick, had been less emotional, and a lot more entertaining. Sawyer had to laugh at the questions his admission had stirred up.
“I’m gay.”
Two words that held such power. Would they laugh? Would they walk away in disgust? Would they be angry?
Zach smiled and nodded. “I think I’ve known that for a long time, man, but thanks for telling me.”
“Wait, you knew? Why didn’t you ever say something? Why did you joke with me about girls?”
“I don’t know, I guess I figured you’d tell me when you were ready. I didn’t want to bring it up if I was wrong and it offended you. I think I joked about girls thinking it would give you the opportunity to bring it up if you wanted to.” Zach stood and walked to his cousin, reaching a hand down, he pulled the other man up into a hug. “Nothing changes, I’ve got your back, man.”
Kendrick sat with his hand rubbing his chin. Would he be the one who couldn’t accept it?
Eyes twinkling and a shit-eatin’ grin on his face, he finally spoke. “What’s it like to suck cock?”
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Recipes
Cucumber, Lemon, Mint Water
This is a quick and easy recipe from the author’s mom.
In a pitcher of water, cut slices of cucumber and lemon. Add sprigs of mint.
Pour over glasses of ice.
Enjoy!
CRISPY RICE TREATS
3 tablespoons butter
1 package (10 oz., about 40) JET-PUFFED Marshmallows
OR
4 cups JET-PUFFED Miniature Marshmallows
6 cups crisped rice cereal
DIRECTIONS
1) In large saucepan melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat.
2) Add crisped rice cereal. Stir until well coated.
3) Using buttered spatula or wax paper evenly press mixture into 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan coated with cooking spray. Cool. Cut into 2-inch squares. Best if served the same day.
MICROWAVE DIRECTIONS:
In microwave-safe bowl heat butter and marshmallows on HIGH for 3 minutes, stirring after 2 minutes. Stir until smooth. Follow steps 2 and 3 above. Microwave cooking times may vary.
CHICKEN and RICE SOUP
This is a favorite soup of the author’s. As with Judy Jordan, the author’s mom used no exact recipe, but she swears it’s easy.
1) Cook 13-18 chicken wings in water until tender.
2) Take the wings out.
3) Into the broth put a cup of finely chopped celery, half cup finely chopped onions. Cook until tender.
4) Try to have at least 4 quarts of broth water.
5) After veggies are tender, put in one and a half cup of long cooking rice. Simmer until rice has cooked.
6) Put in the chicken you take off the wings.
7) Little paprika, salt, pepper.
Optional:
After step 6, add in heavy cream and let it simmer (this is the way the author likes it best!)
On step 3, depending on your mood, you can add in other chopped veggies in addition to the celery and onion.