Page 59 of Pull
Lance starts making all kinds of gestures to Ben and Ben waves him off, turning away.
“Look uh… Are you at my brother’s?” Ben asks Tate on the phone. We’re all leaning in, anxious for some more of this juicy gossip, like a live action episode ofJersey Shoreor something. Ben nods at Lance and gives him a thumbs up. “Oh, nice. So just wondering… that guy Lance… what’s up with you two?”
Ben puts the phone on speaker. “Lockwood, is this your way of asking if I’m single? Because trust me, what with my history with your husband, I really don’t think it’s a good idea…”
Alec and Kayla snort out a laugh, Oliver looks sufficiently disturbed and Ryan pushes forward.
“Um hello, Tate,” Ryan barks into the phone. “My husband is not hitting on you.”
“Oh hi, Ryan!” Tate croons into the phone.
“Hey. So this guy Lance—”
“Oh my God, whatever you do, don’t tell him where I am,” Tate says. And everyone’s eyes dart to Lance. “I’m trying to freeze him out so he gets the hint. I’m a fucking idiot and I can’t chase straight closeted guys anymore. It’s like beyond fucking toxic.”
We’re all quiet for a moment, gaping at Lance. He looks immensely distraught, and I have an overwhelming desire to wrap a blanket around him and give him cocoa.
“Tate…” Lance says, his voice almost audibly shivering.
“Oh fuck,” Tate sighs into the phone. “Dude, boundaries. I can’t believe you came all the way down here!”
“I’m sorry. I just…” his voice trails and he looks at us nervously. The poor thing is obviously so shy. He grabs the phone out of Ben’s hand and turns away. “I needed to see you.”
Tate is quiet for a moment. That on its own is fascinating. Tate Eckhart doesn’t get flustered or choked up.
“Why?” He finally mutters through the phone.
“To say that I’m sorry…” Lance rakes his fingers through his hair. “And to tell you that I’ve been… thinking about you. About us.”
“Yea, I told you, that’s not—”
“I mean before,” Lance interrupts. “I was thinking about you before I saw you at Pride. For like… a while.”
“Awww,” I whisper, pulling Ryan close to me. We both pout at each other because seriously…
Is there anything better than the moment the unsure guy finally admits his feelings??
“Tell him he’s forgiven, Tate!” Hailey shouts toward the phone.
“Yea, accept the love!” Kayla adds, squeezing onto Alec.
Lance gives them both a look like they’re insane.
“You guys don’t get it, okay?” Tate mumbles, sounding more uneasy than I’ve ever heard him before. “It’s not that simple…”
“Can we at least talk?” Lance pleads.
“No.” Tate grumbles.
“Tate, I’m already out here,” Lance sighs. “I drove for over five hours on the off-chance I might be able to track you down. I won’t stop until you agree to see me.”
“Okay, that’s really fuckin sweet,” Ben sighs, looking to Ryan and me, all three of us pouting at each other now.
“Jesus Christ, fine!” Tate hisses. “Anything to get rid of the audience commentary. I’ll text you the address.”
“Thank you, T,” Lance finally smiles, and it’s, like, areallybeautiful one. You can tell he’s the guy who doesn’t do it often, and for a reason. Because they’re that special. “I can’t wait to see you.”
“Yea yea.” Tate hangs up and Lance hands the phone back to Ben, grin still present on his lips.
