Page 98 of Out of the Shadows
“Cosmo, for Christ’s sake.”
His eyes flash at me, chilling my blood.
“You know very well what I’m talking about. It’s written all over you.”
“You—”
I grab Cosmo’s arm, pull him back, and don’t let go.
“I’m astounded, Daniel. This…” Michael wrinkles his nose as though he’s got a bad smell under it. “This is not the type of person I would expect to find in your company. I think it’s best I leave, so yourfriendcan take himself in hand. He’s as hysterical as a woman.”
“Good idea, because I certainly wouldn’t wantyoutotake me in hand.”
“For goodness sake, Cosmo,” I snap.
“Disgusting.” A moment later, Michael’s gone.
Around us, curious faces stare at us.
“Show’s finished, folks. Come back in an hour for the replay,” Cosmo shouts, glaring at our unwelcome audience, who scatter.
“Why did you have to react like that? You know what the views of people such as him are like. You should have just let it go. Displays like that won’t change any hearts or minds.”
Cosmo’s breathing hard, his chest rising and falling as rage dances in his eyes.
“Hearts and minds? Do really think he’s got either of those? I’ll never let what he said go, I won’t take that from anybody. And nor should you. All you did was stand aside and let him spew his filth.”
“You think your display was the right approach? Do you? All you did was play into his hands.”
“He treated me like I was something he’d stepped in, but you said nothing, not a word. Why didn’t you introduce me as your boyfriend?”
“What?”
“You heard me. So I’m just a friend? Nice to know. FYI, I don’t think the old fucker believed a word of that. Reckon he saw right through you.”
“I don’t care what he saw. It’s none of his business who and what we are to each other.”
He tilts his chin up. “You don’t care? Really? Then let me ask you this. If I were a woman, would you have introduced me as your girlfriend?”
It’s not really a question, it’s not even a statement. It’s an accusation and a challenge, and nails dragging down a blackboard.
I hesitate a beat too long. Without a word, he turns and walks away from me.
No. I won’t and can’t let this happen.
He’s pushing his way through the crowds and I rush after him. I grab him by the arm and swing him around.
“Cosmo, please. I’m sorry.”
“Sorry for what, Daniel? For not being honest? For not saying fuck it to secrets and lies? For not making a stand for who you are? For whoweare? I know you’re cautious and careful, but I never had you down for being a coward.”
His features are taut and tense, as anger and sadness wage war in his eyes.
“Taking your time to tell your parents and your family, yeah okay I get that, but somebody like that bastard? What he said, it was wrong and it was vicious, and it needed to be called out, but all you did was stand there with your mouth closed. As much as you don’t like it, sometimes you’ve got to raise that rainbow flag and fly it high. You had a chance to do that and you bottled it. Deep down, you know why. It’s because you’re ashamed.”
His words are a knife, ripping into my heart.
“No, that’s not true,” I rasp, my voice cracking. “It’s not true. I’m not ashamed.”
“Then act like you’re not, Daniel. Prove it to me, because from where I’m standing I’m not seeing too much evidence of that.”
