Kiss and Tell

Chapter 25

Doug

Randy, Logan and I sat on the porch, soaking up the last of the afternoon sun. I knew what I had to say. The words had been on the tip of my tongue all the way through lunch, but I’d waited until I’d gotten them straight in my head.

I took a long drink of iced tea and looked Randy in the eye.

“I’m sorry. It’s a fault of mine. I need to put my brain into gear before I put my mouth into action.”

Randy’s eyes held nothing but compassion, and that was a step in the right direction.

“I totally get how much of a shock this was.” He stared at me. “But what I need to know is… are we good?”

I smirked. “We’d better be. You’re going to be family.” I glanced at Logan. “Still sure this is what you want?”

Logan didn’t break eye contact. “Dad. I’m not a kid anymore. And this isn’t some Hallmark movie. We all know there are no absolutes in life. Sure, five years down the line, Randy and I could be screaming at each other.” He smiled at Randy. “But I don’t believe that.” Logan reached for Randy’s hand, an action I now recognized as habitual between them. “Randy wants the best for me. He cares for me, just like I care for him. We support each other.” He smiled, and the sight warmed my insides. “My heart is safe with him.”

Randy laced their fingers. “I told Jeff, I didn’t plan to fall in love. I never saw Logan coming. But with every day that passes, he slips deeper into my life.” Randy gazed at me, his brow clear. “He is my life.”

I sighed. “Then I guess that means we’ve got a wedding to plan for.” I peered at Logan. “You’ve still got your Masters to do. Want to wait until after all your studies are finished?”

He blinked. “Why wait? The only things that will change will be my name—because I’m taking yours,” he said to Randy with a smile. “Plus the ring on my finger, and a piece of paper. I’ll still be going to classes, but spending weekends and breaks in Carmel. Except I won’t be visiting my boyfriend—I’ll be visiting my husband. So I’d like to get married before the semester starts.”

One glance at Randy’s thoughtful expression told me it wasn’t going to be that easy. “You don’t agree?”

He pushed out a sigh. “I hate doing things in a rush. Couldn’t we wait until next summer? You’d be done with college, you might even be starting a new job… Because you’re right. Getting married next month wouldn’t change a damn thing about our lives, but I only intend getting married once. Let’s do it right?” He gazed intently at Logan.

“I’m with Randy,” I added. “Take your time. And I’m not saying that because I think you’ll change your mind by then. You’ve sold me, okay? You two are head-over-heels in love, and I don’t think anything less than a nuclear bomb going off would stop you from getting married.” I smirked. “And maybe not even that. So yeah, wait. June, July… great months for weddings.”

Logan smiled. “You’re right. Both of you. Okay, we wait.”

Then a thought struck me.

“Does your mom know you’re gay?”

Logan shook his head. “So that’s a conversation that needs to happen.”

“Well, let me know when you intend telling her, and I’ll be there.” I imagined this relationship was going to be as big a shock for Angela as it was for me. Then I reasoned it could be more. I was used to seeing older gay men hook up with younger ones.

She isn’t going to like this.

The least I could do would be to smooth the way for them.

He beamed. “Thanks, Dad.”

Logan was right. Happiness shone from him, and how could I fight something that produced such joy?

Muffled noises came from over our heads, and I met Randy’s amused expression.

Logan cocked his head. “Sounds like you’re missing out, Dad. Wanna go join them?”

I smiled. “Not really. I’d rather spend time with you—and my future son-in-law.”

Randy laughed. “Yeah, I still haven’t gotten used to that yet.”

“Any chance you’re gonna pop the question to Austin?” Logan’s eyes held a glint of mischief.

I burst into laughter. “Hell no. That little spitfire? He’s what you’d call a free spirit. Neither of us wants to be tied down.” I grinned. “And besides, he’s the one who’s engineering my break into porn stardom.”

“Your—” Logan’s jaw dropped. “Seems like I’m the one who’s missed out. What is going on?”

Randy cackled. “Do we have a tale for you.”

Randy

I added more fuel to the fire pit, then went over to the fridge to liberate it of its remaining store of beer. Once I’d made sure everyone had a drink, I retook my seat, Logan in front of me on the bed of the steamer chair, his back to my chest, his head resting on my shoulder.

I raised my bottle. “Here’s to us.”

The sound of clinking glass followed as the others echoed my toast.

“If this is what usually happens at your get-togethers, please invite me to the next one,” Cameron said with a grin.

Before I could tell him I hoped all future gatherings were a damn sight calmer, Austin piped up. “We can do this again, right?”

I laughed. “Why not?”

“And do we get to come to the wedding?” Brandon demanded. “I mean, I know we’ve only just met, but—”

I smiled. “Of course you can come. Once we’ve worked out the date, the venue, you know, little insignificant details like that.” I gazed at the faces lit by the fire pit’s glow, and raised my bottle once more. “To friends.”

Seven voices joined mine. “To friends.”

“I have another toast.” Logan held his bottle high. “To love.”

I kissed the top of his head. “I’ll drink to that.”