Page 10 of Any Given Lifetime

“You’re the first person I’ve told.”

Neil stared up at him for a long moment before jerking his head back the way they’d come. “Let’s head back. I’ve got beer in the fridge and a Takeout Taxi menu in my junk drawer.”

“I don’t know. I haven’t ever…”

Neil rolled his eyes. “We’re just going to talk.”

Joshua looked around to see who might be watching as Neil put his hand out as though to take hold of his. And then, with a rush of feeling like none he’d ever known, electric and hot, Joshua took the offered fingers.

Then he let Neil guide him and Magic home.

September 2018—Scottsville, Kentucky

“So you talked?”Lee asked.

“We talked.” Joshua sipped his coffee. “This is good, by the way. What brand do you use?”

“But you didn’tjusttalk,” Lee said with a wink as he reached behind him and grabbed the tin of coffee off the counter to show him the label.

“We did actually. That first day, anyway. I was way too skittish about who I was and how I felt to do anything more. Just holding his hand felt like a life-or-death event.”

“I get it. When I came out to my family, I was terrified, but it was hardest to come out to myself. Admitting the truth of my feelings was scary as hell.”

Joshua bit into his lower lip, considering Lee for a moment. “I had wondered…”

“If I was gay?”

“Yes.”

“I hope that’s because you’d be willing to go on a date with me.”

Joshua closed his eyes, heat in his cheeks.

“Is that a yes?” Lee asked.

“Why would you want to?”

Lee laughed. “You’re handsome, kind, and obviously a loving guy. Why wouldn’t I want to go out with you?”

“I feel like maybe I’ve misled you.”

Lee’s eyebrows drew down, and he seemed to brace himself. “How’s that?”

“I’m not the blushing virgin I was when Neil took me back to his apartment.”

Lee chuckled. “I’d hope not.”

“But not because of Neil…”

Lee’s dark eyes grew quizzical. “I’m not sure I understand.”

“I never slept with Neil. Before…yeah.” He swallowed thickly. “Before he died.”

Lee’s eyes softened. “I’m sorry.” Then he put his hand out and touched Joshua’s wrist. “I’m not sure what that has to do with me asking you out? Or how you’ve misled me?”

“You have this idea of me as this loyal grieving widow, but the truth is different from that.”

“I don’t follow.”