Page 43 of Meet You Half Way
And as I sat there, trying to wrangle my emotions back under control, the relief I felt at having someone so important to me in the know was the most indescribable feeling I had ever experienced. It was relief beyond measure. Dante knew I was gayand he still loved me. Dante knew and he hadn’t looked at me with disgust or hate.
He knew and he still loved me.
Message
(Today) at 10:45am
ME:
I told Dante.
That was the message I sent Jamie after I had finally managed to calm my racing heart and settle the butterflies invading my stomach later that morning. It had occurred to me that Jamie was the first person I had thought to tell, before even either of my best friends. But then he had also been the one in our conversation yesterday, the one who had suggested I start with Dante so it made perfect sense that he be the first to know. Right?
I saw the bubbles appear on my phone as I stared at the screen, waiting for his response to come through. It came in the form of my phone vibrating, Jamie’s name coming up on caller ID.
My heart leapt into my throat as I glanced across at Dante, still working from behind his big desk. I quickly fled into the kitchen before I answered the call.
“Hello?”
“I’m so proud of you, Mateo,” Jamie said. I could hear the feelings in his voice, the fact he really meant those words and it lifted my heart even higher.
“Yeah, it was good actually,” I told him.
“I take he took the news well?”
“Better than I could have dreamed. He already knew though, just like I thought he might.”
“I bet it feels good though, hey?” Jamie pressed. “Having someone you love on your side?”
“It feels so good I can hardly breathe,” I admitted. “My hands haven’t stopped shaking all morning.”
“I bet.”
“You want to come round tonight and help me celebrate?” I said with enough suggestion as to leave him in no doubt of my meaning.
Jamie laughed. “Two nights in a row, Mateo. You might start giving me the wrong impression.”
“Just as long as you know tonight won’t be quite the same as last night,” I added.
“Oh? What was wrong with last night?”
“Nothing was wrong with last night. It was perfect and exactly what I needed. But remember this morning? How we were both on our knees for each other? Well, tonight’s theme will be a lot more like that. You can strip me naked as soon as you set foot in the house and dowhateveryou want to me.”
I could hear his intake of breath on the other side of the phone and I knew I had him. “I don’t get off my shift until after ten tonight,” he said. “Is that too late for you?”
“Not too late,” I assured him. “I promise I’ll still be veryupfor you.”
His laugh turned into a groan as he muttered, “The things you do to me, Mateo. I’ll see you tonight at your place. And you better still beup.”
I hung up the phone with a grin, suddenly feeling very chuffed with myself. I had another night planned with Jamie and I was feeling on top of the world.
Dante looked up at me as I made my way back to my desk, feeling lighter than I had in weeks. Years. Ever maybe.
“How’s Jamie?” he asked, eyebrows peaked on his handsome face.
“Um,” I faltered.
“Just so you know, those walls between the kitchen and the office are paper thin,” he said, pointing his chin in the direction of the kitchen.
