by Petrova, Em
“Oh, you know. The usual. Keeping busy with work, looking after the house and your father. Helping out with your nieces and nephews, walking Stanley. Gardening—”
“Mum,” he interrupted. “I didn’t ask what you’d been doing. I could have guessed that. I asked how you are. Are you all right?” A health scare a few years ago had made the entire Wilkes family much more appreciative of Joy, and also more aware of when she was trying to do too much.
“I’m fine, darling. I have plenty of rest and relaxation. Stanley’s delighted to have me all to himself when your father’s out at work.”
Wilkes grinned. The family dog, Stanley, was an Irish wolfhound. A gentle giant of a beast that had turned his big brown eyes on Joy in a rescue centre several years ago. She and his dad, John, had been there looking for a low-maintenance dog to help with their empty nest syndrome since Hugh’s youngest brother, Joe, had moved out. They’d walked in with thoughts of taking home a greyhound or a whippet, and had walked out having been captivated by the scruffy wolfhound. “Yeah, I bet he is. Bless him. I’m looking forward to seeing him. Give him a scratch from me.”
“I will do, darling. And you can give him one yourself next weekend.”
“Absolutely. I’m looking forward to seeing all of you, by the way, Mum. It’s been a while since we’ve all been together. I think I was in Afghanistan for the last family event, wasn’t I?”
“Yes,” she replied, a little sadly. “And we missed you terribly. I’m so glad you don’t have to go back there again. Horrible place.”
“Me, too, Mum.” He didn’t comment on the part about it being a horrible place—there was no point. All civilians saw was the war, the death, the psychopaths that made it such a dangerous place. As with most things—the press only reported on the negative stuff, never the ordinary people who were simply trying to go about their everyday lives, while violence erupted around them.
Maybe she’d change her mind when she met Balkhi. She’d realise it wasn’t simply a country full of gun-toting, bomb-laying insurgents. There was so much more to Afghanistan than that.
It was then he realised that he wasn’t afraid about his mother meeting Balkhi. Or his father, for that matter. They’d have no problem with having a Muslim in their home, he knew. They’d always been very much of the each-to-their-own persuasion, so Balkhi’s background and religion wouldn’t be an issue.
But as for him being gay and dating their son? Well, that was another matter altogether. It wouldn’t be prejudice or homophobia, but utter shock that might cause a silence around the dinner table if he turned up with Balkhi, then introduced him as his boyfriend.
Yeah, maybe better to wait for another occasion to divulge that particular piece of information. Or perhaps break everyone in more gently, anyway.
Chapter Ten
When the phone call from his mother finally ended, Wilkes’ heart sunk. The decent thing to do now would to be call Balkhi straight away and let him know he’d screwed up and that there was a change of plan for the weekend. What he really wanted to do was perform some kind of magical spell which allowed him to be in two places at once—keeping both his family and his boyfriend happy.
His music had kicked back in once the phone connection had been cut, but Wilkes muted it, needing the silence to think. If he was going to make the call to Balkhi, he had to do it pretty soon, as he was within half an hour of the base. Privacy was a rarity there, as people often popped in and out of each other’s rooms, so he had to make up his mind quickly.
Wilkes wanted to kick himself for making such an idiotic mistake. He’d been so distracted just lately, with coming back from Afghanistan, Balkhi moving to London, a crazy workload... he genuinely had lost track of time. If his mother hadn’t phoned, he’d have had a huge shock coming to him when he got back to his desk tomorrow and turned the page on his diary to the new week. There, he knew, would be the promise he’d made to his mother all those weeks ago, months even, written in ink.
Fuck! Slamming his palms onto the steering wheel, Wilkes tried desperately to figure out a way he could make this right. Nobody was making him choose between his family and his partner, but it kind of felt that way. And, he realised, he shouldn’t have to choose. Balkhi was fast becoming his family, too.
Gulping, Wilkes knew what he had to do. He had no more excuses. He’d put it off for so many years, telling himself that coming out without a boyfriend to introduce to his family was pointless. Well, now he had one, and he was in love with him.
It was a little sooner than he’d planned, but perhaps this kick up the arse was just what he needed. If Balkhi was agreeable, they’d go together to his parents’ house, and Wilkes would come out and introduce his boyfriend in one fell swoop. They’d do it before the big meal for his father’s birthday, though. It’d be tough enough without the extended family around, too.
Yes, he decided. He and Balkhi would arrive in Wolverhampton as early as possible, get his parents and siblings in the same room together, and tell them. Then they’d have some time to let the information sink in before having to play nice around the dinner table with everybody else present. If they then decided to tell aunts, uncles, cousins, partners and children, too, then fair enough. But his immediate family deserved to be the first to know.
Nodding, Wilkes felt a little weight lift from his shoulders. He hadn’t realised it had been bothering him so much until now. When the deed was done, he was sure the whole weight would lift. But first, he had to make sure Balkhi was okay with all this. Wilkes could still go ahead with the plan without him there, of course, but in a way it’d be easier with Balkhi by his side, for support. And to stop him chickening out.
Huffing out a breath, then pulling in a deep one, he reached over and pressed the relevant buttons on his stereo to put in a call to Balkhi. The sound of ringing filled the car, then cut off, to be replaced by Balkhi’s voice.
“Hello, Hugh? Is everything all right? Have you forgotten something?”
Warmth flooded into Wilkes’ being as he heard the lilting accent. God, he missed him already. “Hi, Rustam. Everything’s fine, don’t worry. I just... well, I just spoke to my mother.”
There was a brief silence, then, “Is she all right? Your father?”
Come on, man, spit it out. Don’t make him guess. “Yes, everyone’s fine. But I, uh, I just need to talk to you. I’m sorry to say I’ve fucked up massively. I know we arranged to see each other again next weekend, but Mum phoned not long ago to ask if I was still going home next weekend. It’s my dad’s birthday, and I promised ages ago that I would go. With everything that’s been going on, I completely lost track of the dates, and ended up double-booking myself.” He took a deep breath, which Balkhi used as a chance to reply.
“It is okay, Hugh. Do not worry. I will miss you, but mistakes happen, and your family is important. We can just see each other the week after that, yes? As long as you do not have to work.”
“Well, that’s just it. The more I thought about it, the more I came to the conclusion that you’re my family, too. And though I hadn’t planned to do this quite so soon, I wondered how you felt about coming with me to Wolverhampton? We’d get there before the big family meal, talk to my parents and my siblings, and tell them about us. Then whatever happens after that... so be it. I can tell them anyway, even if you’re not there, but the moral support would be great.”
Wilkes’ heart skipped and jumped as he waited for Balkhi’s reply. “Rustam?” he prompted gently.
There was an exhalation of air, then Balkhi’s voice came again. “Sorry, Hugh. My brain struggled to process all of that. I believe I am all caught up now. And, as long as you are sure about this, my answer is yes. Of course I will come with you, support you, meet your family. Should we book a hotel nearby?”
Christ, he hadn’t even thought of that. “Um... dunno. I hadn’t even thought that far ahead, to be honest. I’d gotten as far as asking you to come with me when I decided to call you. Guess I need to figure out
the finer details. Are you okay to hop on a train to Salisbury? I’ll come to the station and pick you up, then we can head off.”
“Yes, that is no problem. I can get a train to Wolverhampton, if that is easier for you?”
“No, no, there’s no need. If you go to Salisbury it’ll be a lot cheaper for you, and it means I get a travelling buddy for the rest of the journey. You can help distract me from coming out to my family.”
“As long as you are not too distracted. I do not want to get into a car accident.”
Wilkes chuckled. “We’ll be fine. I can multitask, you know. Driving with you in the car will not be a problem. Unless you’re naked.”
Now it was Balkhi’s turn to laugh. “I promise to keep my clothes on. And I know you can multitask. It is one of your many pleasing skills.”
Balkhi’s voice was somewhere between a growl and a purr, and although he hadn’t been specific, Wilkes knew damn well he was being suggestive. He replied quickly, before his brain started to pull up images that would distract him from driving. “I’m glad. I aim to please.”
“And you succeed. Excel, in fact.”
“Stop that, now, Rustam. Multitasking is one thing. Operating a vehicle with an erection is quite another. Flirting with me while I’m driving is not a good idea. Especially since I’m not seeing you until Friday. And I don’t know if we’ll have chance to have some fun at the weekend, either. God, I hope so.”
“Perhaps it would be a good idea, then, to book a room somewhere. At least then we can have some privacy.”
“Yes, you’re right. I’ll get that sorted as soon as I get chance. Which leads me onto another question. Do I pre-warn my parents, or do I just turn up with you in tow and spring it on them? If I mention it first, then they’ll wonder what the hell is going on. If I don’t, then, well, it’ll be quite the surprise, won’t it?”
“They are your family. I do not know them. Only you can decide what is best.”
Wilkes groaned. “I know. What would you do, if you were in my shoes?”
“It is hard to say.” He paused. “I think... there are positives and negatives to both choices. If you do not tell them first, then they will have the shock of someone turning up that they were not expecting. I am sure they will be polite, but then we will shock them again when we tell them we are more than friends. If you tell them you are bringing a friend, they will probably find that odd, unusual, and spend all week wondering what is going on. They may even work out what we are going to tell them before we get the opportunity to. Either way, it is going to be difficult. I would not blame you if you changed your mind about me coming along, and us telling them.”
“No!” The word leapt forth with more force than he’d intended. “I mean, no. I’ve made my mind up about that part, Rustam. It’s time. They deserve to know. I wonder if meeting somewhere in the middle would be a good idea? Maybe I should call on Friday when we’re on our way and casually mention that I’m bringing a friend along? If they think it’s a more off-the-hoof thing, then perhaps they won’t give it a second thought.”
“I think that sounds like a very good compromise. They may even think the friend is one of your army buddies and not realise anything at all until we arrive. It is perhaps a little deceitful, but I think it is the kindest option for all concerned. We will be surprising them enough next weekend, without adding any extra stress to the situation.”
“Bloody hell, I’m nervous already. I don’t even know why, really. They’ll support me, and they’ll love you.”
“I am sure they will support you. And I hope you are right about them liking me. But, one way or another, this time next week it will all be over.”
Wilkes snorted. “Trust you to look on the bright side. Yeah, I like that. Instead of worrying about it, I’ll tell myself that in seven short days, I will officially be out to my family. All I’ve got to worry about then is my colleagues.”
“That is a bridge to cross when we get to it. Whenever you are ready.”
“Speaking of which, I’d better go. I’m almost back at the base. I’ll text you later, all right? Thank you for being so good and understanding about all of this. I love you.”
“I love you, too. Goodbye.”
“Bye.”
Chapter Eleven
Wilkes shifted nervously from foot to foot as he waited on the platform at Salisbury station for Balkhi’s train to come in. According to the screen hanging from the ceiling, it was due in one minute. The longest bloody minute ever.
He clenched his fists—he really needed to get a grip. It hadn’t even been five full days since he’d last seen Balkhi, and yet he was insanely excited. Worst of all, he wouldn’t be able to show it. Not here, anyway. It was way too close to the base, and military personnel were in and out of the station all the time. The last thing he needed was for someone to see he and Balkhi together and start blabbing. Soldiers were terrible gossips, and although he knew at some point in the future there would inevitably be gossip about him, he wanted the source to be more reputable than someone seeing them kiss in public. Namely, he wanted to come out officially to the people closest to him at work. After that, the grapevine could serve its purpose.
Finally, the train approached, slowed down, and pulled into the station. Wilkes stepped back, making sure he wasn’t blocking the way for people to get on and off the train, and also so he had a better view up and down the length of the platform so he could spot Balkhi when he appeared. Hopefully it wouldn’t be too difficult—tall, gorgeous Middle Eastern men weren’t exactly ten a penny in these parts.
Doors popping open, passengers escaped rapidly. Wilkes’ gaze swept left and right, scanning faces until he saw the one he was looking for. Soon, he did. Stretching up onto his tiptoes, he waved, trying not to look too enthusiastic—or ridiculous. After a beat, Balkhi saw him and grinned, his handsome face growing even more gorgeous and his eyes twinkling. Then, apparently remembering where he was, he sobered up a little as he made his way through the crowd towards Wilkes. He looked very sexy, in dark blue jeans, white t-shirt and trainers.
It was a shame all Wilkes was able to do was look.
“Hi,” Wilkes said, as they met in the middle. “You okay? How was your journey?” He began walking towards the exit, with Balkhi at his side. “My car is in the car park.”
“I am fine, thank you. My journey was fine. Uneventful. I had a seat, my neighbours were quiet and smelled okay. So I cannot complain.”
They exchanged a smirk. It was a little in-joke they’d coined while using the public transport in London. The often overcrowded Tube service served a purpose, and the crush of bodies was just about bearable. But add someone with body odour or poor hygiene to the mix, and suddenly it became a living nightmare. They’d jumped off more than one train the previous weekend with a sigh of relief, pulling in the relatively fresh air of the stuffy stations.
“Good. I’m glad to hear it. Well, in my car you will also have your own seat. I can’t guarantee the good behaviour of your neighbour, but,” he paused, plucked at his t-shirt and sniffed it, “he does smell okay. He’s fresh out of the shower, in fact.”
By now, they’d emerged from the station and were crossing the car park. His voice quiet, Balkhi said, “I would like to have been in that shower with him. Perhaps I will have to make do with making him dirty again, instead.”
Glancing around, Wilkes then focussed on Balkhi and murmured back, “Trust me, if we had the time and the place, I would most definitely take you up on that offer. Unfortunately, two grown men in the back of my car, in broad daylight, in a train station car park, are probably going to attract a considerable amount of attention. And I can’t let my mum down this weekend—not even getting arrested will let me off the hook with her.”
Grinning good-naturedly, Balkhi shot back, “You are right, of course. I am looking forward to meeting your mother. It sounds as though she has you... what is the phrase... under the hand.”
“Under the thumb, you mean?”
Balkhi shrugged. “I was close.”
“Yeah, you were.” Rubbing a hand across his short hair, Wilkes gave a wry grin. “And yeah, I’m embarrassed to say that me, a grown man, I still do as my mum tells me!”
“There is no need to be embarrassed. You respect and care for your mother. I think it is a good thing. Sweet.”
“Now I really am embarrassed.” Wilkes felt his cheeks blaze. “Now get in the car, before my head explodes.”
He took Balkhi’s holdall and put it in the boot, next to his. Then he walked to the driver’s door, and got in the car. With another glance around, he decided the tiniest bit of recklessness wouldn’t hurt. He wasn’t doing anything illegal. Reaching out, he cupped the back of Balkhi’s neck and brought him in for a quick but heated kiss.
When they parted, Balkhi licked his lips, and said, “Wow. That was brave, and very sexy.”
“What can I say? I missed you, and couldn’t keep my hands off you any longer.” Putting on his seatbelt, he started the car and began backing out of the parking space, ready to make a start on the journey.
“I missed you too. And I will show you just how much when we get back to the hotel later.”
“Ah.” Wilkes momentarily took his eyes off the road to peek at Balkhi. “About that.”
“What?”
“Well, uh...” He wriggled uncomfortably in his seat. Get on with it! “I phoned Mum on the way to picking you up, thinking I might be able to sound more casual if I didn’t have you with me, being all sexy and distracting.” He risked another glance, and saw amusement sneaking through the confusion on Balkhi’s face. “And she seemed to buy the friends thing, and was absolutely fine with you coming along. But when I told her you’d booked a hotel—I had to say you, because saying us would have been incredibly weird, since I usually just bunk in my old room—she was horrified. She said no guest of hers was staying in a hotel! And well, since everyone else coming to the shindig is local, the guest room is available. So, um, looks like you’re staying in the room next to mine.”