Page 54 of Michael's Awakening
Chapter Twenty-One
Gabriel
Following behind Zack, curiosity swam through me. What was it he wanted to talk about? Entering a room that Dad made into a library/study, Zack swiftly pivoted on his heels and turned to me, making me almost bump into him.
“Umm, more warning would be nice next time, jerk face.” I put my hand on my cocked hip and looked at him. When he didn’t spout off a retort or mock me, I got concerned. “Zack, what’s going on with you? Why did we have to talk in private? Did you murder someone and need help hiding the body or something?”
I tried to make him smile, but I saw nothing other than anxiety in his hazel eyes.
“Gabe, I…” He turned away from me and ran a hand through his short dark-blond hair.
Butterflies fluttered chaotically in my stomach as I considered what it could be. “Oh, for Pete’s sake, please tell me you didnotknock some chick up.”
Turning back toward me, he half-smiled. “Uh, no. Far from it, actually.”
“Then what is it? The suspense is killing me, dork.”
“How did you figure out you were gay?” he asked anxiously and started fidgeting with a book on the table beside him, not meeting my eyes.
His question caught me completely off guard. “There was nothing to really figure out. I always knew I was different, but I guess I never really understood it until around the time I told all of you. Why do you wanna know?”
I narrowed my eyes in suspicion.
He shrugged, but didn’t answer and instead started flipping through the book.
“Zack, you better put that book down and answer me or I’m gonna kick your ass.” I knew I was full of shit. He could totally whip me in a fight.
“So, you can’t just turn gay? You’re born like that?” Instead of answering my question, he went around it and asked more questions that left me feeling extremely confused.
“For me, I had no choice. I’ve never been attracted to women. But some people are bisexual where they like both. And I guess that’s something that could evolve over time. I’ve even heard of some guys not knowing they were gay until like their early twenties. But I honestly don’t see how that is possible. They must have had some inkling they were gay earlier on in life, too.”
Zack put the book down and stared at me with a strange look. “I think I’m gay.”
For a second, I didn’t say anything. I couldn’t. I was way too damn shocked. My jaw was to the floor as I gaped at him.
“Fuck, Gabe, say something.” He inhaled deeply and stared at me with uncertainty.
“Why do you think you’re gay?”
There. I finally said something.
Exhaling, he answered me in a rush of words. “I don’t know. Well, fuck, yes Idoknow. I just… I don’t know. I alwaysthoughtI liked girls, I mean I’ve dated enough of them. When I was in high school, though, I remember a time after football practice where I watched one of the guys in the locker room undress and get in the shower. I didn’t think too much about it after that, I just remember thinking how I thought he had a nice body. But in my head, I justified that with me just checking him out to compare myself to him, ya know?”
Shaking my head, I put my hand up. “Whoa, slow down and take a breath. Damn.” I hadn’t seen this coming, not by a long shot. Zack? Gay? No, it couldn’t be. “If that was so long ago, why are you telling me now?”
“Because something else has happened now,” Zack said and looked at me. “There is a guy that hired me for personal training at the gym about two months ago. And I, uh, I’m having thoughts about him. As in hardcore sex dreams, and now when I’m training with him, my damn dick won’t stay the fuck down, especially when the dude starts lifting weights.”
“It could just be curiosity,” I told him. “All guys go through phases where they fantasize at least once and think of experimenting. Hell, I’ve even imagined what it would be like to be with a woman. That line of thinking didn’t last long, though. I love dick too much.”
Zack shook his head. “If that were true, it would only be a few thoughts and then I’d move on, right?” He walked over to the window and peered out, resting his head against the cold glass. “I can’t get him out of my head, Gabe.”
Walking up beside him, I nudged his arm. “Chin up, buttercup. It’s not the end of the world if you’re gay. Gays have more fun.” I smiled as that got a chuckle out of him. “What’s his name?”
“Jackson.”
I squealed, unable to contain myself anymore.
“Fuck, what the hell was that for? Damn near almost deafened me, you ass.” Zack rubbed his ear and took a step away.
