Page 75 of Missile Tow
I stood again and slowly approached him. “Now take a second to listen to what I think,” I began, reaching for his hand. “I think John had nowhere else to go. He knew I was here as well, so imagine how that had to feel. And for a reason neither ofus understands, or maybe could do ourselves, he came here. He came looking for help, Chip.”
He considered my reasoning carefully. The fact that he didn’t instantly say he didn’t give a shit proved he was considering the possibility that John’s visit wasn’t about trying to cause issues.
“He has other friends he could stay with in town.”
“Perhaps,” I agreed. “But are those friends aware of the circumstances? Do they know John’s relationship with the man he left you for failed? Can he speak with them about that? Are they comfortable with the gay aspect? Are his parents?”
“Why are you doing this?” he whispered. “The guy destroyed me.”
I shot him a hard and fast stare. “Did he? He destroyed you? Then why am I here?” I dared.
Chip recoiled at my question. My desire to get him to move past history and embrace a future where he felt safe again was my only reason to risk losing him.
“I don’t think I can get past my anger.”
“Yes, you can,” I declared. “Because the man I fell in love with is better than this, Chip. I get it.Jesus!I get the pain and the hurt, but you loved that man and he needs us. Please, baby. Be bigger than your need for revenge. I happen to believe you can do that.”
“Then you’re better at seeing something in me that I don’t see.”
“That’s what a partner does,” I stated. “Evan didn’t, but I’m betting my heart you will.”
“Fuck,” he muttered. “Why do you even care about John?”
“Because I caremoreabout you. Because I firmly believe you’ll do exactly the same when I stumble.”
“I don’t know about this, Van.”
“Can you try for me?” I asked.
Chip appeared to be digging deep. Perhaps truly asking himself if he possessed that level of maturity. I held my breath, wishing against all odds he could see my point.
“I can’t promise I’ll succeed, but yes, I’ll try because it’s important to you.”
“And you promise me you won’t resent me?” I inquired. “Because I need you to believe my heart and all of my support are with you.”
“I know,” he sighed. “And I’m going to trust you.”
“Thank you.”
“Fuck,” he mumbled, kicking pillows from the bed out of his way, and looking at me as he walked around the foot of the bed. “Tomorrow morning is gonna suck!”
“Tomorrow is Christmas Eve,” I reminded him.
“Fuck me!”
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE: Chip
Acupboard closing in the kitchen woke me. Van was lightly snoring, so I slid out of bed and crept out of the bedroom. I wanted my chance to speak my mind.
“Good morning,” John mouthed, offering me a mug from the cabinet he was in front of.
I nodded, stepping past him to get the half and half from the fridge. “How’d you sleep?” I asked, handing him the creamer. I sounded nicer than I’d wanted to.
“Been awhile since I’ve slept in a loft,” he replied, appearing out of sorts and unsure how to act. “Strange to be back here, actually.”
“You could say that,” I stated. “No one is more surprised than I am.”
My plan was to be polite, but not too friendly, until he got the hint to get the fuck out. I joined him at the table, holding the sugar jar up even though I knew he didn’t take sweetener in his morning coffee. He shook his head.
