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Jon hadn’t slept well on Sunday night. He was filled with feelings of excitement and nervousness. Levi had been courteous and slid into bed with Jon at four a.m. trying not to wake him, unaware that sleep had eluded him most of the night. He didn’t say a word as Levi had gently wrapped his arms around him and drifted off.

Just before five a.m. Jon slid out of bed and turned off his alarm to avoid waking him. He started a pot of coffee and quietly made his way to the bathroom to shower. Gus would be here at five-thirty, and Jon didn’t expect Gus was the type to be late.

He had been surprised when he had met with his new boss and the man he was replacing. The job sounded too easy. Too good to be true. He would just manage the company’s website and social media presence. He could do this in his sleep. There had to be more to it, and he was certain he would find the catch out soon. He hoped he had made the right decision.

Twenty-five minutes after five, his phone buzzed on the counter. Gus was outside. He walked to the bedroom door and smiled at the sleeping man as he rolled over. He picked up his gym bag and laptop and headed out the door.

“Is that all you’re taking?”

“Yep. I travel light. Without Levi, this is definitely not a pleasure trip.”

The expression on Gus’s face shifted, but Jon couldn’t tell whether it was a grin or a scowl. “Makes sense. All business.”

“Yeah. Though I’ve never been to Galveston, I know I couldn’t enjoy the beach by myself. Besides, who knows if I’d have time.”

“Sometimes you just have to make time, Jon.” Gus stopped and inhaled. “I think I need more coffee.”

Jon smiled. “I completely understand.”

“If you don’t mind, I’m going to swing by a drive-through and grab a cup. If you want anything, just let me know. It’s my treat.”

Jon agreed to let him buy him a bagel from the shop. “Thank you, Gus. You didn’t have to do that.”

“I know, but I wanted to. I’ve not gotten to know you as much as I would’ve liked yet, but I can tell how Levi feels about you, and that boy doesn’t just take to people quickly. You are something special.”

Jon blushed and looked away. “Nah, I think he likes me sure, but I almost think he only keeps me around because he is worried about what’ll happen if he made me leave.”

“I don’t think that’s the case, but the way his face lights up when you walk through the door tells me all I need to know.”

Jon arched an eyebrow. “I’ve not seen that.”

“Oh, I have. It’s almost as obvious as the way you look at him.”

Jon looked away. Silent. He could feel the blood rushing to his face.

“Come on, don’t deny it. Even when he’s left the room for just a minute, as soon as he comes back into view, your eyes light up like a kid walking into a candy store for the first time. Like he is everything you want, everything you need, and God himself couldn’t pry you away.”

Jon hoped it was still dark enough to hide what he was certain was the beet red shade of his face, but also feared his silence spoke volumes. He opened his mouth to speak but couldn’t find the words to divert the conversation. “Ok, you got me. I’ve fallen for Levi…more than I’ve even admitted to myself.”

“Have you told him how you feel?”

“Not exactly.”

“Jon, let me be direct here. I know you two have been playing coy. It’s almost endearing to watch the two of you dance around your feelings. Why don’t you just tell him how you feel?”

He hesitated. Why hadn’t he said the words? He let out a sigh. His head dropped. “I’ve lost everything and I’m afraid of losing him, too.”

Jon was thankful Gus didn’t have a response to that.

After a few minutes, Gus spoke. His voice a whisper. “Jon, I know a little something about loss. My brother, my son, my wife. I’ve lived a long time and I let too many years slip by before I reached out to Russ. He thought we would never reconnect. It took a lot for both of us to get past it, but he is the only family I have left.”

“That’s why you went to Tennessee.”

“Yeah. The details are a story for another day, but the takeaway you need to hear today. Don’t let time get away from you. You never know what tomorrow brings.”

“What are you saying?”

“You need to tell him how you feel. Tell him you love him and that you aren’t going to abandon him.”

“I don’t know if I can, Gus. I’m terrified.”

“Oh, I don’t think you have anything to be scared of.”

“I know you think so, but what would I do if tells me to pack my shit and leave?”

“Pick up the pieces and move on. But like I said, I don’t think that’ll happen. If he does, you can come cuss me out, and I’ll not let you end up on the street.”

“It’s definitely not as easy as you make it sound, but I’m going to trust you, Gus. But you better be right, or you’ll have to help me pick up the pieces of my broken heart.”

“That’s a heavy responsibility, but I think it’s time. You’ll never learn to fly if you can’t jump over the edge.”

Jon exhaled. “Ok.”

“Ok?”

“Yes. I’ll spend this week figuring out the best way to say it and tell him when I get back. I love him too much to tell him over the phone for the first time.” He sighed. “I almost did the other day, but it just didn’t feel like the right time.”

Gus flashed a slick smile. “I agree. Something that important shouldn’t be left to a phone call.” He paused. “Just don’t keep waiting for the ‘right time’ because sometimes things always get in the way and the time never feels right.”

Something in Gus’s voice cracked. “Gus, are you okay?”

He was quiet for a moment. “Jon, I just keep thinking ‘what if.’ What if I’d told Timmy that I loved him no matter what? One last time. Oh, there are days I mourn for the time I lost. But in the grand scheme of things that doesn’t do any of us any good. We are wasting time on the moments that have already slipped through our fingers and not focusing on the ones in front of us.”

Jon instinctively placed a hand on the man’s shoulder. “I’m sorry Gus”

“No, it’s ok. Just promise me you will quit pussyfooting around and just do it.”

“I promise. I’ll talk to him as soon as I see him.”

Gus smiled as he hit the accelerator and changed lanes.