Page 4 of The Rule of 3

“Family obligations and expectations. They’ll come around,” Eli sighed. “Or not. And I’m bi anyway. I sometimes prefer men, and I’m incredibly attracted to you, Tan.”

Chapter 5

For the next four years, Tanner and Eli remained roommates. Both were extremely popular guys who amassed a large circle of friends to socialize with, and when they went out, it was generally in a group. They both dated girls when a date was called for—Tanner more than Eli—and were gentlemen with them. They kissed girls, but they never had sex with them. Tanner sometimes felt as if he was searching for some strange, illusive thing that he just kept trying and trying to find and never could.

At night, however, Tanner and Eli fell into each other’s arms like long-lost lovers. They explored each other’s bodies in every way imaginable. Tanner learned how to fuck and be fucked as a man. He learned that he loved the feel of Eli’s sculpted, muscular body beneath or over him as much as he’d ever loved the feel of Zoë.

What confused him, however, was that he never once felt any particular attraction to any other student on campus, male or female. The girls were just a blip—a diversion. Other guys never registered at all. He still pined for Zoë, but he also knew he was in love with Eli.

Tanner also had another concern. He had political ambitions, but he wasn’t blind to the fact that there were still many, many people who would never accept a gay man in a high political position. He would laugh to himself and wonder if being bi-sexual counted.Of course it does. He couldn’t lie to himself.

Right after their sexual relationship began, they made a pact that no one was to know. Eli pointed out sadly, “If you have political ambitions, you’ve seen over and over in the news how any little thing you’ve ever done can come back to haunt you. So, you need to be above reproach—no hint of a scandal. And between us, we have to look like best friends, period. No pet names, no fond looks at each other, that kind of thing. The bigots of the world can take anything and blow it up in your face.” The pain in Eli’s eyes was obvious as he continued, “Weknow it’s not wrong, and someday it will be alright, but we’re at the forefront of a huge change in society. It’s still too soon.”

Tanner laughed humorlessly. “Maybe I can make it to the White House and then come out.”

“That’s the spirit,” Eli agreed. “You’ll be a crusader for the LGBTQ community, but even then, you’ll have haters. It would be a hard sell.” He shook his head sadly and then brightened a bit. “Maybe by then the world will catch up and realize it’s nothing to vilify. We can hope, right?”

Tanner always headed back to Honeybee Hollow at Christmas, and he made sure he went to church, volunteered at the soup kitchen and the animal shelter. He glad-handed and schmoozed with everyone in town, making certain he made a favorable public appearance. Several photos of “Honeybee Hollow’s Princeton student” showed up in the town paper and website, showing just how handsome and civic-minded he was.

During spring break, he headed to the Hamptons with Eli and the rest of the Whittakers where he soaked up what it was like to live life as a blue-blood American aristocrat. He learned about life for the mega-wealthy and pumped Eli’s parents constantly and politely for information. Tanner never pretended to be anything other than a young man from a small town in rural Kentucky, the son of a veterinarian and a librarian, but his brilliance was always evident in his inquisitive questions and thoughtful answers.

Eli’s father was so taken with Tanner that he secured summer jobs for him each year in Washington, DC with a variety of his cronies. Tanner learned the inside ropes about politics and campaigning. He filled his head with tricks of the trade, so to speak. He was certain this information would prove invaluable to him as he advanced his career.

The only downside to his time with the Whittaker family was that Mrs. Whittaker seemed hell-bent on fixing Tanner up with Eli’s younger sister Caroline. She was a lovely girl—as beautiful as her older brother, but Caro broke her mother’s heart when she left college in her sophomore year to tour Europe with her boyfriend’s rock band.

Tanner was extremely relieved.

Eli’s interest lay in the marketing and promotional side of politics. He saw himself as a future kingmaker, and he knew just whom he wanted to promote to the highest job in the country. Tanner was remarkably good at making speeches and debating, where Eli preferred pulling strings.

As good things do, their blissful four years at Princeton all too soon came to an end. Tanner’s plan was to go home to Honeybee Hollow and run for mayor. The former mayor had botched up so many things in the past few years, the climate for change was perfect. What they needed was a brilliant, attractive young go-getter. He knew the job was virtually his for the taking, and then he’d just have to bide his time until he could grab the job he really wanted—governor of the great commonwealth of Kentucky. He wouldn’t be old enough for several years to put his hat in the ring, but being mayor would give him plenty of governing experience. Maybe he’d even put Honeybee Hollow on the map with his contributions.

Tanner had to accept, however, that there was no place for Eli in this scenario. Eli was heading back to New York where he’d work with his father.

“I can’t believe this is over,” he whispered into Eli’s ear the night before graduation—the day they were to head back to their families and their real lives. “I’ll always love you, Eli.” Tanner lay his head on Eli’s chest and heard the steady, comforting beat of Eli’s heart.

Eli kissed the top of Tanner’s head and whispered back, “I love you too, Tanner. Always. And it’s not over. I promise I’ll be there for you when you run for governor. And in the meantime, how about if we meet each other now and then and take a little vacation together?”

Tanner’s head popped up and he looked into Eli’s penetrating hazel eyes. “You think that will work? We could do that?”

“Sure. We’ll just tell everyone we’re going on a fishing trip.” He snorted. Eli had never baited a hook in his life. “I’ll tell everyone that my southern, country boy roommate from Princeton taught me how to fish, and it’s my new favorite hobby. It’s very relaxing, I hear.”

“That sounds like heaven,” Tanner said and kissed Eli.

“Also, don’t forget we’ll have the annual Princeton reunions. It would make perfect sense for old roommates to share a hotel room or an Airbnb,” Eli pointed out with a grin.

Tanner smiled broadly. “Another great idea.”

Changing the mood, Eli said in a serious voice, “Tan, I want you to consider something.”

“What?”

Running his fingers through Tanner’s silken hair, Eli asked, “That girl you’ve mentioned so many times... Zoë?” Tanner nodded. “I know you’re still crazy about her, so go find her and marry her.” Tanner leaned back and blinked at him in surprise as Eli continued, “It will be the best thing you can do for your career. You’ll need a wife, not a husband, where you’re going.”

Tanner got a strange feeling in his gut when Tanner told him to marry Zoë. He’d actually fantasized about that very thing many, many times, but his loyalty to Eli had prevented him from ever taking the thought seriously. The reality of not having Eli in his life every day was excruciating, and he doubted a reconciliation with Zoe could ever happen whether he wanted it to or not.

“I fucked everything up with her. She probably won’t give me the time of day,” Tanner moaned. “And she shouldn’t.”

Snorting, Eli said, “You’re resourceful; you’ll figure it out.”

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