Page 9 of Seamus's Basement
His family trouble had just gone from bad to disastrous. He dragged his hand over his beard and turned around to lean his back against the bar so he wouldn’t collapse. Apparently hearing his end of the conversation, Lucas was staring at him, openmouthed. His friend DJ was leaning against the bar, armscrossed in front of him. And the spot Todd had previously occupied was now empty.
“And he’s, uh, he’s willing to move to Hope?” he said, desperately wishing the answer was no. “Because I’m not leaving here. I have my business and my home. I’ve lived here for half my life and—”
“That’s the best part.” His father actually sounded giddy. He hadn’t known that was possible. “He already lives in Hope. He’s been there about as long as you.”
“He lives in Hope?” he repeated disbelievingly.
“Yes.”
“There’s a gay man in the community who’s living in Hope, Arizona?”
“Yes. I’m telling you, Seamus, I think your mother’s onto something. It’s fated.”
His parents could be eccentric, but this was a lot even for them. He half-believed someone was pulling a fast one on them.
“What’s his name?” he asked. “If he lives in Hope, I probably know him.”
“Dylan Johnston,” his father answered. “Do you recognize the name?”
He furrowed his brow in thought and then shook his head, even though his father couldn’t see him. “No. Never heard of him. Are you sure he’s in my Hope? Maybe there’s another town with the same name? Someplace on the East Coast?” That would make more sense.
“I’m absolutely certain. We met with his sister. She graduated from high school in your town. Dylan still lives in Arizona. Don’t worry. He’s perfect for you and we’ve handled the arrangement. You need to go to him right away, Seamus. He’s the one.”
“I, uh…” He had no idea what to say that wouldn’t devastate his father. “I have to go, Dad. The bar’s full. But I’ll call you tomorrow. Tell Mom I love her.”
“I will. She’s so relieved, Seamus. I can’t tell you how worried she’s been for you all these years.” He cleared his throat and then quietly said, “And so have I. Have a good night, son. We’ll talk tomorrow and plan the wedding. Congratulations.”
He hung up the phone and blindly reached for its base to set it down. What was he going to do now? Refusing to marry women who lived on the other side of the country was one thing. How was he going to get out of a marriage arrangement with someone local that his parents believed was fated? He was going to break their hearts.
“What the fuck was that?” Lucas asked.
“I honestly don’t know.” Completely bewildered, he shook his head and blinked, trying to get himself together.
“Did your parents actually find you a man to marry?”
Nodding, he said, “Looks that way.”
“Holy shit,” Lucas said.
“Yeah,” Seamus agreed.
“What are you going to do?”
“I honestly have no idea.”
“Maybe you should give it a shot,” Lucas said. “I never thought I’d be happy with one guy or that I’d leave LA and now look at me. Moving in with Jared was the best thing that ever happened to me, even if I originally came here against my will, kicking and screaming. I wouldn’t give up this life with him for anything.”
“I’m straight, Lucas. It isn’t the same situation.”
Lucas gave him his patented eye roll.
“If you’re straight, why would your parents arrange a marriage with a man for you?” DJ asked.
“It’s a long story, but the short version is, I took advice from the town troublemaker and lied to my parents so now I’m in a living hell.” He rubbed his hand over his beard again. “Serves me right. Fuck.”
“You don’t look good, Seamus,” Lucas pointed out.
“You think?” he snapped.
