Chapter 29
James
Two Weeks Later
“I think you’re really going to like this place,” Mom said, practically bouncing in the driver’s seat as we drove across town. “It’s got a lake and a little park and lots of walking paths through the woods. It’s amazing.”
“I’m sure you’ll really like it there,” I replied, my voice lacking enthusiasm. “It sounds great…”
She’d been talking about this townhouse she’d found for almost three days now.
Don’t get me wrong, I was happy for her, but it was starting to get on my nerves.
Her marriage was over and it seemed as if her life only got exponentially better because of it.
But my relationship with Kent hit the fucking fan, and I was more miserable than I ever had been in my life.
And to top it off, Mom knew something was wrong, so she’d been hanging around…
a lot. I couldn’t bring myself to tell her the truth, but she didn’t pry either.
“That’s sweet of you to say,” Mom replied, giving me a quick glance. “But I want you to like it too. That way you visit more often.”
I nodded automatically, staring out the window as we drove through an unfamiliar neighborhood. The houses were getting nicer, the lawns more manicured. Definitely not my part of town.
“How’s work going?” she asked, clearly trying to pull me out of my funk. “That big project still keeping you busy?”
“It’s fine,” I said, forcing myself to engage. “The client’s happy. Might lead to more work.”
“That’s wonderful!”
I couldn’t match her enthusiasm. For the past two weeks, I’d thrown myself into work, trying to drown out thoughts of Kent.
It hadn’t worked. Every night I’d lie awake, replaying our last conversation, the hurt and anger in his eyes when I’d kicked him out.
Each night, when I finally did fall asleep, it was with my chest aching so badly that I wasn’t sure I’d wake up in the morning.
But I always did. To an empty bed.
Mom pulled into a community that looked like it belonged in a real estate brochure. There were pristine townhouses with stone facades, perfectly trimmed hedges, and a small man-made lake glittering in the distance.
“This is it,” she announced proudly. “What do you think?”
“Wow,” I managed. “This is... fancy. Can you afford this?”
She smirked. “It’s actually not too bad. Besides, I’m sure my alimony checks will help cover it.”
Despite my mood, I had to smile at that. At least someone was getting what they deserved.
Mom parked in front of one of the townhouses and practically skipped to the door. “Come on, I want to show you everything!”
I followed her inside, genuinely impressed by the spacious interior. The place was gorgeous. It had hardwood floors, high ceilings, and massive windows that filled the space with natural light.
“This is the living room,” she gestured grandly. “And through here is the kitchen...”
I trailed behind her as she gave me the tour, pointing out features with childlike excitement.
Despite my heartbreak, I was happy for her.
She deserved this fresh start. I couldn’t deny I was a little bit jealous though.
This townhouse made my apartment look worse than a cardboard box on the side of the road.
“There are three bedrooms,” she continued, leading me upstairs. “Mine, a guest room, and I’m thinking of turning the third into an art studio.”
“That’s a lot of bedrooms for just you, don’t you think?” I said, brows furrowed. “The art studio sounds cool, but isn’t this kind of… a lot?”
“It’ll be fine,” she grinned, grabbing my hand and pulling me down the hall. “And the master bedroom is just through here—”
She pushed open the door, and I froze in the doorway.
Kent was standing in the middle of the room, holding a bouquet of roses.
My heart stopped beating for a moment. Kent. Standing there looking better than he had any right to, dressed in a fitted gray button-down that brought out his eyes. His hair was shorter, freshly cut, and he looked nervous in a way I’d never seen before.
“Surprise!” Mom said, squeezing my arm.
I couldn’t move, couldn’t speak. All I could do was stare at Kent, who looked just as stunned to see me as I felt seeing him.
“What... what is this?” I finally managed, my voice barely above a whisper.
Kent cleared his throat. “James, I—”
“I’ll give you two some privacy,” Mom said, backing out of the room. She paused at the doorway, giving me a meaningful look. “Just hear him out, okay?”
And then she was gone, closing the door behind her, leaving me alone with the man who had broken my heart into a billion tiny pieces.
“My mom’s in on this?” I asked, still frozen in place.
Kent nodded, taking a hesitant step toward me. “I needed her help. James, I know I fucked up. Spectacularly. What I did was unforgivable.”
“Then why am I here?” The anger I thought I’d moved past surged back, hot and bitter. “Why drag me across town for… this?”
“Because I love you,” he said simply. “And I needed to show you that I’m serious this time.”
I laughed, the sound harsh even to my own ears. “Serious? You suggested I be your side piece while you played boyfriend to Brittany. That’s not exactly the foundation of a serious relationship.”
“I know. I was scared and stupid and I made the worst possible decision.” He set the roses down on a nearby dresser and reached into his pocket, pulling out what looked like a folded piece of paper. “But I’m done being scared.”
“What is that?” I asked, nodding toward the paper.
“The lease for this townhouse.” He held it out to me. “Look at the names on it.”
I didn’t move to take it. “I don’t understand what’s happening right now.”
“Just look. Please.”
Reluctantly, I took the paper from him, unfolding it with shaking hands. There, printed clearly on the lease agreement, were two names: Kent Gallagher and James Bennet.
“You... you put my name on the lease?” I looked up at him, confused. “Why?”
“Because I want us to live here. Together. Openly.” He took another step closer. “I told my dad about us. About everything.”
My eyes widened. “You what?”
“I told him I’m in love with you. That we’ve been together. That I’m not ashamed of it anymore.” Kent’s voice was steady, but I could see the cost of that confession in his eyes. “He disowned me, just like we expected.”
“Kent...” I didn’t know what to say. This was the last thing I’d expected when Mom had dragged me all the way across Seattle to look at a townhouse.
“I joined an LGBT support group,” he continued. “Been going twice a week. It’s helping me figure out how to... how to be okay with who I am. With us.”
I swallowed hard, trying to process everything he was saying. “What about Brittany?”
“Over. Completely over. I walked out the same day I left your apartment. I couldn’t do it, James.
I couldn’t pretend anymore.” He took another step toward me, close enough now that I could smell his cologne.
“I’m so fucking sorry for what I did. For suggesting that.
.. that arrangement. You were right to kick me out. To be disgusted with me.”
“I wasn’t disgusted with you,” I said quietly. “I was hurt. I thought I wasn’t enough for you.”
“You’re everything to me,” he said, his voice breaking. “Everything. And I’ve spent the last two weeks trying to prove that I deserve another chance with you.”
I looked down at the lease in my hands, then back up at him. “This is a big step.”
“I know. And if it’s too much, too soon, I understand. We can tear up the lease, start smaller. But I wanted to show you that I’m all in this time.” He reached for my hand, and when I didn’t pull away, he took it in his. “I love you, James. It’s that simple.”
Simple. Nothing about this had ever been simple. And yet, standing here with Kent’s hand in mine, looking into those eyes that had once held so much contempt for me and now held nothing but love... maybe it could be.
“I don’t know if I can trust you again,” I admitted, the words painful but necessary. “You hurt me, Kent. Badly.”
“I know. And I’ll spend every day making it up to you, if you’ll let me.” His thumb traced circles on the back of my hand. “All I’m asking for is a chance to try.”
I looked around the room, our room, potentially, taking in the space that could be the beginning of something new. Something real. The anger and hurt were still there, but beneath them was something else. Something that felt a lot like hope.
“Your dad really disowned you?” I asked.
Kent nodded, a sad smile crossing his face. “Told me to never contact him again. But you know what? It hurt less than I thought it would. Because I finally stood up for something that matters to me. Someone who matters.”
I felt tears prickling at the corners of my eyes. “You didn’t have to do that for me.”
“I didn’t do it for you,” he said, squeezing my hand. “I did it for myself. I couldn’t live a lie anymore, James. Not after knowing what it feels like to be honest about who I am. Who I love.”
The sincerity in his voice, the vulnerability in his eyes broke something loose in me. I’d been holding onto my anger like a shield, afraid to let myself be vulnerable with him again. But standing here, seeing the effort he’d made, the risks he’d taken... it was hard to keep that shield up.
“I love you too,” I confessed, the words coming out before I could stop them. “I tried not to. I tried to hate you these past two weeks. But I couldn’t.”
Relief washed over Kent’s face, and he stepped closer, his free hand coming up to cup my cheek. “I don’t deserve you,” he murmured. “I never have.”
“No, you don’t,” I agreed, but there was no bite to my words. “But for some stupid reason, I want you anyway.”
His thumb brushed against my cheekbone, and I leaned into his touch despite myself. Two weeks of missing him, of aching for his presence, made even this small contact feel like coming home.
“The townhouse is just a place,” Kent said softly. “We can live wherever you want. Your apartment, somewhere else entirely. I just want to be with you.”