Love Wins Read online

  “No!” His shout was loud before the wind carried it away. He stood, every muscle in his body a tight line. His hands clenched into fists at his side. Henry’s scowl was intense, and it broke my heart even more. He should always have a smile on his face. His features were made for joy.

  “Tell me what you want,” I pleaded, because I just couldn’t stand to see him hurt.

  “I want you to be free,” he responded vehemently. “I want us to be free.”

  It took me a second to realize what he was doing. His flannel shirt and plain white tee landed in the sand, his jeans following quickly. He stalked a few yards away, and for just a moment, my breath caught at the sight of his bare, near perfect body. Henry had toned muscles and the most beautiful ass I’d ever seen. Then my brain overruled my libido, and I surged to my feet, grabbing the nearest piece of clothing.

  “You’re a lunatic,” I yelled, striding toward him. I held up his shirt, trying to cover his nakedness. But he ripped it from my hands and tossed it with a flourish. The wind caught it, and it flew. Both of us watched as it fluttered in the breeze before starting to float down toward the ocean. Then Henry was in my arms, his body plastered to mine.

  “Totally went overboard just now.” His murmur was quiet in my ear, and his body shivered a little. “It’s fucking cold too.”

  I couldn’t help the grin. “You always did have a flair for the dramatic. Christ on a crutch, Henry. You just stripped naked.”

  “I did. You know, the whole ‘free’ thing.” He nodded. Then he pulled back so he could look at me. “But we’re talking rationally now, aren’t we? No anger.”

  “You’re a lunatic,” I repeated, this time much softer and full of affection. God, I loved this man. I pulled him in closer to keep him warm, and he snuggled into my embrace with his full body, resting his head on my shoulder. I tucked a finger under his chin and canted his face up so I could see his eyes. His entire expression softened.

  “I won’t push you if you’re really not ready. But Shane….” He sucked in a deep breath. “I think you are. I know you don’t want to do this anymore. The hiding and the lying. And it’s going to suck donkey balls and hurt really badly when you tell your parents who you are. But you have me, and my family, and our friends. We’ll help you through it.”

  I knew that. Deep down, I knew I would have a safety net when my world started crashing. And crash it would. There’d be no going back once I said the words. I was just being cowardly, putting it off. Because I was scared. Because I didn’t want my life to change. Because the thought of my parents turning their backs on me was almost too much to bear.

  “And when my father fires me? What am I going to do about a job?” I asked quietly.

  Henry made a face. “There are plenty of other construction jobs in this city.”

  I snorted out a mirthless laugh. “And my father does business with every one of those companies. Or knows them. You think he’s not going to blackball me?”

  “He can’t turn everyone against you. And if he does, so what? Find something else entirely. Start your own business. There are options. If you’re ready, we’ll handle it.”

  I was just a little bit surprised he could be so logical when he was standing naked on the beach and shivering in the cold. But the truth was, Henry was right. It was going to hurt worse than anything I’d ever felt, but I couldn’t keep hiding who I was. There was something about him stripping naked, standing bare and exposed, that made the whole thing click in my brain. He was willing to go to any length to keep me, because he thought we were that good together. He was willing to let it all hang out for the world to see. Who was I to try to cover that up? I couldn’t let him be exposed to the world by himself. In that instant, I knew what I needed to do. What I wanted to do. How I wanted to live.

  I blew out a breath. “I’m scared.” It was hard to admit it out loud. Even to Henry, who held my heart and whom I trusted more than anyone else on the planet.

  Henry kissed my chin and squeezed me tightly. “It’s okay to be scared. It’s a very scary thing. But the question is, are you ready?”

  I took a deep breath, let it out slowly, and then smiled, just a little. “I’m ready.”

  His grin was blinding. He knew if I said it, I wouldn’t back down. He’d shown me we were worth fighting for, and I knew it was time to take that leap. He kissed me hard and fast but had to break it off when a violent shiver wracked his frame.

  “You’re freezing.” I rubbed my hands briskly up and down his arms. His grin turned into a leer.

  “So how about you get naked and warm me up?”

  I shook my head, chuckling, and stepped back. “Shake out your clothes and get dressed. I’ll warm you up at home. We’ll make a night of it. Give me strength for when I go talk to my parents tomorrow.”

  “Tomorrow?” Henry’s head jerked up, and he paused with one foot in his jeans.

  I nodded. Now that I was set on my course, there was no reason to delay. “If I’m going to change our lives, there’s no point in waiting.”

  He was surprised by that. I could see it all over his face. He stared at me for a long moment and then turned back to his task, shaking his head as he mumbled, “Should have stripped naked on the beach a year ago.”

  It probably wouldn’t have worked if this had happened a year ago. But I loved him, I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him, and I was done hiding. Just like Henry said, I was ready to be free.

  IN STARK contrast to the day before, the temperature had soared into the eighties and the beach showed distinctive signs that hundreds of people had taken advantage of the beautiful day by splashing in the surf and building castles in the sand. There was even a volleyball net still strung up between the previously naked poles. But with the sun sinking lower on the horizon, and the temperature dropping by noticeable degrees, the stretch of sand was once again deserted.

  I hadn’t intentionally come back to this place, but I wasn’t ready yet to go home and somehow found myself sitting in almost the same exact spot where yesterday I had decided to change my life. Seemed appropriate that now I’d be here again.

  I wasn’t sure how long I’d been sitting there staring at the tide before Henry showed up. I didn’t even need to look to know it was him. He didn’t say anything as he sat down beside me. He was close, but our shoulders were barely touching. I wasn’t sure yet if I needed him closer or farther away.

  “How’d you find me?” I asked quietly.

  “I know you incredibly well, Shane. I figured you would come here.”

  I couldn’t help the derisive snort as I glanced quickly at him. He was staring straight ahead, but I could see his smirk, even in profile. I returned my gaze to the ocean, but I knew I’d gotten my disbelief across when he sighed heavily.

  “Yeah, all right. I used the GPS tracking on your phone. You never turned it off after we used it last year to find each other at the state fair.” Henry’s tone was amused, but then he got serious. “I was worried.”

  I nodded. I knew he would be. I should have sent him a text, at least, but I just couldn’t make myself function with any sort of normality at the moment. I could barely process what had happened a few hours ago. It was a good thing that breathing was an automatic function, because otherwise I would have suffocated by now.

  “Was it bad?” he inquired gently.

  I didn’t answer. Bad didn’t even begin to describe my parents’ reaction to my news. I had been expecting a fight. There should have been yelling, denials, something. Instead, I was met with icy indifference. They had both stared at me, cold impassivity on their faces, and when it was clear I was telling the truth, they simply told me to get out. My father added that I no longer had a job, and that I’d never be his son again. And that was it. Any further attempts at conversation were met with complete silence.

  Henry’s movements were cautious as he slid close enough that our entire sides were pressed together. When I didn’t pull away from his touch, he grew bolder a
nd laid a warm hand on my thigh. I stared down at it, not really feeling it. I was numb.

  “Do I have to strip naked again to get you to talk to me?”

  That brought a reluctant smile to my lips. Even though it was warmer so Henry wouldn’t freeze, and it was always a treat to see him naked, we didn’t need to go that far. I took a look around to make sure we were alone before I wrapped an arm around him and pulled him close. Old habits die hard. I’d have to work on that. Henry snuggled right in, completely at ease.

  “They didn’t care,” I finally said. Henry’s head jerked up, his eyes wide with surprise. I shook my head. “I mean, they didn’t show any emotion. They just… told me to leave. That I wasn’t their son anymore. Threw me away like yesterday’s garbage. Maybe not even with that much care.”

  “Oh, babe,” Henry replied softly. He tried to get closer. I tugged until he was in my lap. He didn’t exactly fit, but he was flexible and contorted himself until we were pressed together as closely as possible. Emotion welled up inside me, the numbness leaving abruptly until all I could do was hurt. It didn’t matter that anyone could see. I needed him.

  “Are you going to cry?” Henry’s voice was low and without censure.

  “No.”

  He was quiet for a long moment. Then he said, “Maybe you should.”

  I understood what he was saying, but I didn’t need to cry over this. They weren’t worth it. I kept telling myself that. Maybe that time would come, when the pain would overwhelm and the only way to release it would be with tears. But it wasn’t now.

  “I’m angry,” I blurted, surprising myself. “And hurt. I knew they wouldn’t accept me, but I thought that they’d fight me about it. When Lucy started dating Darren, they had a hell of an argument. It lasted for days. Lucy finally—” I cut myself short with a groan. “Oh shit. I have to tell Lucy.”

  Henry’s chuckle was just a tiny bit evil. “Your sister is going to kick your ass for never sharing this with her. But you’ve said you thought she would be supportive.”

  I nodded ruefully. I knew Lucy probably wouldn’t have a problem with my sexuality, and the only reason she didn’t know before now was because I’d never told anyone at all. “Yeah, but at least you’ll finally get to meet her.”

  “There is that.” Henry snuggled in again, squeezing me tightly. The silence stretched between us for a bit before Henry tentatively asked, “Shane? Are you okay?”

  “Nope,” I answered truthfully. I might have spent the better part of the past two years lying to everyone about who I was—longer, if I was completely honest—but I’d never lied to Henry. I wasn’t about to start now. “But I will be. Eventually. I think.”

  Henry nodded. “Yeah. You will be. I love you.”

  “I love you,” I responded fervently. The words didn’t seem adequate but they were the only ones I had. If it hadn’t been for him, for his love and support, I never would have done this. I would have spent the rest of my days living a half life. But because I believed in him, in us, because I loved him with everything I was, I’d been able to take this step. Because he’d shown me that being exposed and vulnerable was scary but worth it.

  I tapped Henry’s hip and urged him to stand. He gave me a puzzled frown as he did. I just gave him a small smile and started stripping off my clothes. Shoes, socks, pants, and shirt landed in the sand with a soft thump. Henry’s eyes widened comically; then an unholy gleam entered his eyes, and he raced to catch up. In moments we were both naked on the deserted beach. I held out a hand, and he took it without hesitation. Together, we ran for the ocean.

  It would be a while before I was truly okay. But I would get there. Because I was free.

  I SMOOTHED down my collar, shrugged my shoulders, then grimaced at my reflection and pulled the shirt off. I tossed it behind me to land on the ever-growing pile on the bed. Bare chested, I walked to the closet and started rifling through its offerings.

  “That shirt looked great.” Henry’s voice came from the direction of the doorway. I startled and jerked my gaze in his direction. He gave me an amused sort of half smile. “So did the four before it.”

  I scowled, turning my attention back to the closet. “Yeah, but—”

  Henry gave a soft laugh, cutting me off. “It’s just dinner with your sister.”

  “I know, but—”

  “Nerves are okay,” he said, interrupting again. He pushed off the doorframe and sauntered closer. He reached up and took my face in his hands. “It’s going to be fine. You’ll see.”

  I blew out a breath and tried to smile. I knew he was right. When I had told Lucy that not only was I gay, but that I had a boyfriend I’d been seeing for two years—over the phone because I was a chicken—she immediately told me she didn’t care who I loved. Then she invited us over to dinner. I’d managed to put it off for three weeks, but I was out of excuses. I’d have to see her in person tonight, and I was scared that somehow everything would change. That the evidence of my loving another man would somehow make her turn away from me. Logically, I knew better. But it was hard to change a mindset like the one I’d been living with since my teens.

  Henry leaned forward and kissed me softly. When I wanted to linger, he pulled back. His smile was full of affection and heat. “Put on the red one. I love the way that looks on you.”

  I nodded and swallowed hard but didn’t move. Henry gave a soft laugh, retrieved the shirt he wanted me to wear, and handed it to me. I pulled it on quickly, smoothing my hands down the front. Henry grinned, then took my hand and yanked until I followed.

  Twenty-five minutes later, we pulled up in front of my sister’s home. I turned off the car but then couldn’t make myself move. Henry put his hand on my forearm and squeezed, then slid his fingers down to loosen mine from their death grip on the steering wheel.

  “Ready?”

  “Nope,” I answered fast.

  Henry shook his head, but I could see the edges of his grin in my peripheral vision. I took a deep breath, then let it out slowly. I had to do that three times before I felt any semblance of calm. The logical part of my brain told me that this dinner wasn’t any different than the hundreds that had come before. The rest of my head said that this was my first public appearance since coming out, and therefore it was scary.

  “Uh, Shane?” Henry’s voice was tentative. I looked at him. Then my gaze followed to where he was pointing. I gulped.

  Lucy was standing on the porch with her hands fisted on her hips and a bit of a scowl on her face. She was nearly as tall as I was and had a willowy grace that turned heads when she walked by. But I knew the truth. Under the incredibly ladylike exterior, my sister was full of steel and fire.

  I briefly considered making a run for it, but she had already spotted us, and I did not want to be on the receiving end of her ire. I took one more deep breath, squeezed Henry’s fingers, and got out of the car. He followed suit, and we met up on the lawn. The back of his hand brushed mine. It was a familiar gesture, something he had been doing practically the whole time we had been dating. He knew I wouldn’t hold his hand in public, but he was letting me know I had his support.

  I took his hand firmly in mine. His gaze landed on my face, a question in his eyes. I just smiled and squeezed. I’d blown the doors off my closet, and while this sort of thing wasn’t natural to me yet, I wanted it to be. Henry’s smile was all the reward I needed. Together, we crossed the yard and climbed the porch steps.

  My sister gave me a long, searching look. Then she opened her arms, and I practically fell into them. She hugged me hard and didn’t seem to mind that I hadn’t let go of Henry’s hand. We stayed like that for an indeterminable amount of time. Lucy eventually pulled back. And then smacked me hard on the shoulder.

  Her scowl was back. “You could have told me, you know.”

  “I know,” I responded softly. “It’s just—”

  “Never mind,” she interrupted with a fluttering of her hand. “I actually do understand completely. I get it, Shaney.
Dinner’s just about ready so we can all sit down. You must be Henry.” She turned her attention to my boyfriend.

  “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Lucy.” Henry practically oozed charm, and my sister grinned. Henry’s answering smile was beautiful. “I can’t wait to meet Darren and little Emmett.”

  And just like that, Henry had won over my sister. That Henry had included her husband and son made her incredibly happy. She ushered us inside. Darren was putting the finishing touches on dinner, and he gave us a huge smile and happy greetings when we walked into the room. Emmett placed the last fork on the table, then ran at me full speed.

  “Uncle Shane!” he shouted, launching himself into my arms.

  “Oof! Man, you’ve gotten big. How old are you now, fifteen? Sixteen?”

  Emmett rolled his eyes in a perfect imitation of his mother. “Still five, Uncle Shane. I told you that last time.”

  Everyone laughed as we sat at the table. My sister and her husband had pulled out all the stops. Everything was delicious and, to my relief, conversation and laughter flowed easily. I didn’t know what I had been expecting, but this was so much better than anything I could have imagined. I relaxed and leaned back in my seat. Even though my sister had said she didn’t care what my sexuality was, to have the proof of it before my eyes finally made it feel real in a way I hadn’t anticipated.

  “So.” Darren’s voice was a bass rumble as he passed me the mashed potatoes. “You’re in need of a new job, Lucy says.”

  My chuckle held little humor. “Um, yeah. My father doesn’t even want to look at me, let alone give me a paycheck. I was done the instant I told him the truth.” The past three weeks had been one long introspective session, trying to figure out if there was a new company I could approach that would be willing to risk my father’s wrath. Or if I even wanted to.

  Darren nodded and stabbed a piece of pot roast with his fork. “You’ve got your general contractor’s license, right?”