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“Second weekend in July. You able to come?”

In just over two months. The thought of visiting my family in Ohio iced my blood. I had no fond memories from my childhood. Our parents had been strict with a stinging hand if you didn’t obey. Their narrow-minded views, rejection and harsh opinions had done irreparable damage. At Pop’s funeral they’d kept their distance, never acknowledging my existence. At three of my siblings’ weddings, I hadn’t been allowed to sit with my family. I’d been a mere guest, shoved on the table farthest from them. I hadn’t even been invited to celebrate two of my other siblings’ marriages. But Lucy was cool. Like my oldest brothers, Lee and Lyndon, Lucy hadn’t succumbed to our parents’ narrow views. Luke, Linda, and Lisa were a different matter. Lucy had been five when I’d run away. We’d reconnected via social media when she became a teenager. She was sweet and beautiful and had the kindest heart. I’d love to celebrate her special day. “If I can come, I will. I’ll have to check our schedule. We have a lot of promo before the tour.”

Could I handle another event being shunned by my family?

I smirked. Wouldn’t it shock the fuck out of them if I turned up with Tia?

Thing was, I didn’t want to give them the satisfaction of them seeing me with her. They’d turn it around and toss that straight-is-the-only-way bullshit in my face. Say that I should’ve gone to conversion school all those years ago.

Lee lowered his sunglasses onto the bridge of his nose. The glare off the pool was blinding. “She’d love you there.”

I tucked the invite under my cell phone, resting on the table. “I’ll do my best.”

“So, tell me what’s been happening?” He play-shoved my shoulder. “You big-time celebrity.”

I chuckled as warmth crept up my neck and settled in my cheeks. “I’m far from big, but I’m loving the change. Sorry we didn’t visit Cleveland during promo. But it’s a scheduled stop on the tour. I’ll make sure you and your family have tickets to the show.”

“My kids would love that.” He swiveled his beer bottle back and forth on the table. “But I’m not sure about Amanda.”

“Why not? She loves concerts.”

“Um...” He lowered his chin and picked at his beer label. “We’re getting a divorce.”

“What? Why?” About fucking time.

He stared across the pool. “I couldn’t fight it any longer. I had to stop living a lie. You inspired me and gave me the confidence to take the leap. It’s only taken fifteen years, but I’m finally coming out.”

Me? Inspire? There was a first. But my chest swelled. I was so freaking happy for him. “That’s awesome. How did Amanda and the kids take the news?” His wife was a gem. A true angel. But living states apart, I’d never had the opportunity to get to know his two now teenage kids very well. The three times Lee had brought them to New York for short vacations had been our only time together.

“Amanda has always known. The kids know. They’ve been the ones who’ve encouraged me and been my biggest supporters. We’ve talked about it a lot over the past several months. Amanda has been amazing and helped me to make the right decision. I’m thirty-seven years old and terrified about coming out. But I can’t deny it anymore.”

I knew all about wanting to make the right decision. Tia and I were doing just that. “So conversion school, all those years ago, didn’t work.” Other than successfully messing with his mind.

“No. It made me miserable. It clouded my judgment. Destroyed my soul.” The anguish in his voice hurt every cell in my body. That could’ve been me. Thank God, I’d run away.

I pinched my brows together. “Why did you stay with Amanda for so long?”

“For the kids. When we were forced to marry, we tried to make it work. We honestly became best of friends. We respected each other. In many ways, we loved each other but weren’t in love. We’re divorcing on very amicable terms. There is no hate or anger. The kids are old enough to understand. I moved out two months ago. I’m finally being true to myself.”

Tears prickled my eyes. Sometimes no matter how hard people tried to change you, they couldn’t. Shit...was I in that category?

No. Changing had been my decision, no one else’s. I’d taken the leap and was experimenting. I’d opened my mind and heart to new possibilities. Was it a solid flip? No. I still found men attractive. But Tia had captured me and intrigued me. Every day with her was new territory I wanted to explore. “Do you have a boyfriend?

A smile that made him look ten years’ younger inched across his face. “Yes. His name’s Mateo. We’re lying low, telling everyone we’re just roommates until the divorce is finalized. Amanda has met someone too. We’re finally happy. Free from living a lie.”

“That’s awesome.”

He knocked his knee against mine. “So thanks for all those times I visited you in Brooklyn when you took me to gay clubs. Every time, it was pure torture, pure temptation, pure heaven. But it was exactly what I’d needed to see the light.”

I’d hated seeing him suffer in an unhappy marriage. But when he’d been in those bars, fire had ignited in his eyes. It wasn’t about being turned on by the scantily clad men; it had been about finding the courage to be honest with himself. “Someone had to help you find the right path. I’m glad I played a small part.”

He fidgeted with his wedding ring. “I haven’t told our parents yet. They’ve never changed their views. I guess they’ll disown me. But that’s the risk I’m willing to take.”

“People who can’t accept you for who you are, aren’t worth the energy. I was so scared and terrified when I ran away. But I had to be me. I knew who I was. Nothing would change that.”

He clutched my hand on the table. “I’ve always admired how strong you were. It took guts to leave. I’ve loved watching you live your life the way you’ve wanted to. I’ve seen you in recent interviews, unashamed and proud of who you are. That’s how I want to spend the rest of my days.”

I wanted to laugh. I wasn’t sure who I was now I was with Tia, but I was open to what I could become.