Page 66 of One is Never Enough

“I have to ask, Dad. Why the sudden change of heart? I know it wasn’t just because of what Jace said.”

“He had a lot to do with it. But Darlene called me later that day and tore me apart.” Dad runs his fingers through his graying hair. “She told me what you said to her about if her kids ever came to her about being gay. It made me realize that I should have made sure you knew that I still loved you. I had to get rid of some ideas that were beaten into my head growing up that being gay meant that you were sick.”

I realize that this is the most I’ve ever talked to my dad. Growing up, he was either beating me down about my grades or talking to me about sports. We’ve never had a conversation like this. I try not to get lost in it, but it’s hard when this is all I’ve ever wanted. “My relationship with Payton was fake,” I say, just to see his reaction. He looks surprised but not angry. “She agreed to pretend we were dating so you would get off my back. It took me months after leaving for college to be able to look at myself in the mirror and admit that I’m gay. I’m a proud gay man now, Dad. That will never change. I won’t hide who I am to protect your reputation. And I’m not trying to dredge up old shit. I just want to be honest with you. I love Oliver, Jace, and Toby. They’re who I want to spend the rest of my life with.” I take a deep breath. “But I’m willing to give this a chance. You have to accept all of me and every part of them. Those are my terms.”

“I can agree to those terms. I’m really trying.” Dad gets up from the table and grabs a box off the little hutch that I found at a flea market. He sits it in front of me and takes his seat.

I cautiously open it and suck in a breath when I realize what’s in it. Every news clipping that he could find is in here. From when I passed my exams, to when I opened my real estate business, and every time I was interviewed as my company was growing. He also has articles on Toby and Jace. The one that surprises me the most is the interview Jace gave about being out and proud as a CEO. I hold it up. “You kept all of this?”

“I collected everything I could over the years. About you and them. I couldn’t admit it then, but I was damn proud of you, Aiden, and who you chose to align yourself with. I just wanted you to see that there wasn’t a day that went by that I didn’t think about you. I wish I could change how everything happened, but since I can’t, I can make sure you know how I feel from now on.”

“Thank you,” I reply, choking up. I clear my throat and put everything back in the box.

“No. Thank you for giving me another chance.”

We fall into more comfortable conversations about everything else. He asks about what Oliver does and how Toby’s club is doing. Time passes, and before I know it, I realize I’ve been here for almost two hours.

“I hate to, Dad, but I need to get home.”

“Absolutely. Can I call you?”

“Yeah. You can.”

I stand up from the table, and Dad follows me to the front door. Before I can figure out if I should hug him or not, he jerks me into his arms. “I love you, son. Drive safe.”

“I love you too.”

When I leave, I feel lighter than I have in a long time. I slide into the car and check my phone while shutting the door. Toby’s name immediately flashes across the screen, but my phone battery dies as soon as I try to answer it. “Of course,” I grumble, searching my car for a charger. I groan when I can’t find one and shift into reverse to back out of Dad’s driveway. I’ll just have to deal with Toby bitching once I get it charged. That makes me smile because I know he’s going to give me shit.

I drive to my apartment to grab a few things to stay at Jace’s and charge my phone as I’m packing. Someone knocks on the door, and I set the packed bag on the couch as I go answer it.

I jerk it open without checking to see who it is, only to come face to face with Trent. “What the fuck are you doing here?”

“We need to talk.” He tries to push into my apartment, and I shove him back out.

“No. We don’t. You need to leave.” I go to shut the door, and he reaches out to stop it, making me grit my teeth.

“I’m not here to start trouble. I just want to talk.” Trent runs his hand through his hair and blows out a breath. “What happened in college…I’m really sorry, Aiden. I was fucked up back then, and I know that doesn’t excuse what I did, but it’s the truth.”

I cross my arms over my chest. “You stalked, drugged, and tried to rape me, Trent. Nothing will make up for that. You also tried to scare Oliver away from us. If you want to prove you’re a ‘good guy’,” I say, air-quoting good guy, “let him out of his contract.”

“And your pit bulls broke my nose and jaw. I need Oliver to finish those designs. I don’t have time to find anyone else.”

“Then there’s nothing left to say here.” When I try to shut the door this time, he lets it get almost closed before shoving it back open. It’s hard enough to make me stumble backward and gives him time to get inside. “Get the fuck out, Trent.”

Trent rushes me, hitting me square in the middle. We hit the ground hard, and my head bounces off the side of the coffee table, making black spots dance in my vision. “We could have had something great,” he pants, taking advantage of my weakened state. He places his arm across my windpipe and leans his weight on it. “You were supposed to be mine.”

“I was never yours,” I push out past his hold. “I was always meant to be theirs.”

“I wanted to push things further with Oliver,” Trent continues, like I didn’t say anything. “I was going to spike his drink the day we went to the diner, but then I saw your name and picture on his phone.” Trent rubs his bottom half against me, and I let him just so I can get enough time to kick his ass. I just needed my head to clear first. I can feel the blood running down my temple and know I’m going to have a huge wound there. “I should have done it anyway and then sent you pictures of me fucking him.”

That brings my strength back times ten. “You motherfucker,” I growl and shove him off of me. I roll until I’m on top of him. “Toby and Jace should have killed you that day.”

I pull my fist back to punch him, and he knees me right in the balls. I fall to the side, and he’s on me again. He starts pummeling my face and body, repeating something over and over. The pain in my head flares again, and my vision starts winking out. Shit. I can’t get my bearings back long enough to fight back.

Oliver’s laughing face flashes behind my eyes, and I hang onto it for dear life. Trent hits me one last time, and everything goes black.

My last thought is the guys.

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