Page 55 of Sapphire Storm

Roman looked too stunned to speak.

“I quit because I couldn’t stop seeing your face on thatstreet corner. But I was still about fifteen grand short of what I needed tofinish culinary school, so I flew back to South Carolina and I confronted theparents who banished me like I had the plague after I refused to renounce mysexuality for the benefit of their church friends. I told them they couldeither write me a check for the difference or I could set up shop in theirbackyard. I already had it on good authority that I’d have some pretty steadyclients among their church friends.”

Roman seemed stunned by the answer. When it was clear Ethanwasn’t going to say more, he broke the silence. “What did your parents do?”

“They wrote me a check, and I was on my way.” It had beenyears since he’d told this story to anyone, and he’d only ever told it twice.He wasn’t prepared for how hollowed out and exhausted he’d feel once the wordsleft him. Years since he’d ever had to see anyone react the way Roman wasreacting now, wincing and making sad eyes over the heartless efficiency of theexchange. It was easier to keep your pain stuffed deep down when you never hadto see anyone else react to hearing it for the first time.

“Did you ever talk to them again?” Roman asked softly.

“I believe you said you’d answer my question when I answeredyours.”

Roman sucked in a deep breath and stared down into his nowempty glass. “She didn’t mean it but…”

“But what?”

“It was about my mom. She said I should do it because my momwould want me to live at my fullest potential, or whatever. And that’s when Irealized I just…can’t be...”

“Can’t be what?”

Tears slipped down his face. “Homeless. Broke. Couchsurfing. Again. Everything I saw in her eyes when I told her I was quittingschool, when I told her I was throwing everything she’d given me down thedrain.” He shot to his feet.

“Roman, sit. Please.”

“No. Look, this is what I have to do, okay? And I know youdon’t approve, and I know you think I’ll fuck it up or lose my mind orwhatever, but I’ve got no choice, okay? And I’m sorry if asking you to talk tome like this was inappropriate. But it’s my life, and I have to make my owndecisions.”

“I understand, but Roman—”

He was striding toward the door on his powerful legs.

“Roman!”

When the entry door swung shut behind him, Ethan sprang fromhis feet, but by the time he reached the parking lot, the Bentley’s taillightswere shrinking into the dark.

He pulled out his phone.

I would never judge you.

He didn’t expect a response, but he was staring down at hisphone, wondering if he’d been too hard on the guy. And wondering simultaneouslyif he should have tried harder to stop him.

A guy he’d dated in France a few years back had yelled athim during one of their many fights that he needed to learn the differencebetween protecting someone and suffocating them. Where did tonight fall on thescale?

You are notdatingthat young man, Ethan Blake.He was tempted to ignore the voice in his head because it sounded like hislate mother’s. Imperious and dismissive and cold. But the only way to drown itout was to imagine taking Roman into his arms, holding him there, protectinghim.

Guiding him to the bed…

Finally, he added.

Let me know when you get home safe. And never feellike you can’t call me.

He snagged a Diet Coke in a to-go cup and hit the road.

He was almost home when his phone chimed with a new text

Home. Sorry.

When he reached the driveway for his parking lot, hestopped, knowing he’d lose cell service the second he descended under thebuilding.

No matter what happens, your mother, wherever sheis, is proud of you. Never forget that. I can hear it in all the stories youtell about her.

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