Page 21 of Theo (Stone Brothers #6)

George's face dropped. "I'm so sorry about all of this, Lacey.

" He lifted his gaze. "I am still fond of you.

You are funny and sweet and smart. My parents told me I needed to date someone, a woman, of course, and find a proper spouse for when I was the head of the family.

They also made it clear that they wouldn't leave the estate to me if I married Gabe.

He's my one and only. I feel like shit that I brought you into this. "

"I'm feeling a bit like a used piece of beef jerky right now." He looked miserable. I took his hand. "George, is that estate really worth the heartbreak? I walked away from my one and only not once but twice, and I live with utter regret about it every day."

George smiled weakly. "The man who came to take you on our wedding day?"

"Theo, yes. We were high school sweethearts. I never talked about him because it hurt too much."

George tilted his head to the side. "He's pretty fucking hot."

I laughed. "My god, he got even hotter, and I didn't think that was possible." George so rarely stepped out of his Dr. George Plunkett persona, it was nice to see a real person underneath. I supposed having his big secret out in the open helped.

We had a moment of laughter, which it seemed George really needed. As soon as the laughter faded, his smile went with it.

"Your secret is safe with me, George, but, seriously, is the estate worth it? You're a surgeon, a highly-respected one. I can't believe your sexuality would affect that."

George shrugged. "You'd be surprised but, no, it wouldn't make much difference. It's hard, you know. I grew up with private planes and holiday homes all over the world."

"I know and confession time. That villa in France was the dreamiest place I've ever been.

I can see why that would be hard to give up but at such a steep price?

I mean, not ever being able to be with your one and only?

" And then my own reality slapped me, and I slumped back against the very unwieldy couch cushions.

"Shit, what a couple of lovelorn losers we are, and all in the name of doing what we think society wants rather than what our souls are telling us we need. "

"So, you'll go back to him?" George asked.

"Not sure he'll have me. I really fucked him over this time.

But this couch chat is about you. I'll just tell you what I'd do.

I'd let everyone in the whole fucking world know that Gabe is your one and only, and if people don't like that they can fuck off.

It's the twenty-first century, after all.

And I'd tell your parents that if they want you, their only child, to stay a part of their lives, then they'll look past their antiquated views and allow you to be happy. "

George turned and gazed out the window. The sun was still blazing, and the sidewalks and surrounding buildings reflected laser-strength heat into the air.

"I'm going to think about it. Honestly, I think Dad will take it better than Mom.

" He turned back to me. "I'm going to tell her the whole sham marriage is off, and you're not paying one cent for the wedding.

I'll also see that you're taken care of financially.

Fuck the prenup. You deserve a big reward for what we put you through.

If Mom says no, then I'll let her know that Gabe and I will be announcing our engagement in the papers.

That should squelch her protests before they even start. "

I reached up and hugged him. "Thank you, George." I sat back. "But think about what we discussed. I know it's a lot to give up. Especially that damn French villa. Your happiness will never be complete. No matter how many fancy homes and cars you inherit, there will still be a hole in your heart."

"Smart words from a smart woman. And you? Where will you go? Of course, you're welcome to stay here. I don't mind. I think we ended up being pretty good friends. We will remain friends, right?"

"I don't see why not. After all, we were husband and wife."

"We can do a simple divorce, and I'll make sure you're well compensated. In fact, I know one of those snappy, savvy lawyers who does simple divorces right online."

I smiled. "I'll bet your mom threw a fit when you told her I'd lost my big law firm job."

"I think the staff were hiding the glassware because she started breaking things.

" He sighed. "She's always been hard to deal with, and frankly, both Dad and I found it easiest to just roll with all of her outbursts.

Honestly, we never discussed it, but I think my dad might have leaned toward being gay.

His family and that time period would have made coming out of the closet out of the question.

Instead, he hitched himself to a shrew of a woman just to give the appearance he was straight. "

"Then that's where you start. A conversation with your dad. Maybe he can even talk some sense into your mom."

George laughed at that suggestion. "Probably getting ahead of ourselves with that." He relaxed back with a smile. "I've got to get back to the hospital, but I'm glad this happened. It's freeing knowing that at least one important person in my life knows about my relationship with Gabe."

"I'm glad this happened, too. It answers so many of the questions I had rolling through my head.

And now I have a lot to think about for myself.

I'm free from your mom's control now, and as exciting as that is, I'm also a little freaked out about where to go next.

But I think I'll start with home. My parents were stunned by all that happened, and I don't think they've fully recovered.

I'm going to go home and spend some time with them. "

"That sounds like a good start," George said. "I wish you all the best, Lacey." He'd become so human. I could only imagine how much keeping this secret had weighed on him.

"Same to you, George."