“I’ll never get tired of kissing you,” Rory said.
“I feel the same.”
Bernard watched Rory walk to his car. He wanted to ask him to stay the night. He wanted to hold him in his arms.
“Rory?” Bernard called out.
“Yeah?” Rory said.
“I’d like you to stay the night,” he said. “I want to cuddle with you, and I wish we could spend more nights together.”
“Bernard.” Rory’s face fell. “If my parents decide to pick me up for church, how do I explain why I wasn’t home?”
Rory walked back up the path to embrace Bernard.
“I understand,” Bernard said. “I just wish it was more than Friday nights and an occasional weekday.”
“I know.” Rory put his forehead against Bernard’s. “I’ll come out when I feel it’s right. It’s delicate with my mother. I know I shouldn’t worry so much, but she’s a large part of my life. I don’t want to hurt her.”
“I know,” Bernard said. “I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon.”
*
BERNARD DROVE HOME, tears threatening to fall. The relationship pushed him back into the closet. He couldn’t be public with Rory. His mother controlled who he was. He wouldn’t do anything without her permission. Dating him was defiance. If Mrs. Sinclair found out, it would be disastrous.
He sighed. Rory was endangering himself and his reputation at the church. He needed to take what he could get from this relationship. He’d do anything for Rory. That included hiding that they were a couple.
*
THE NEXT AFTERNOONBernard met Rory at the park. They ate sandwiches and homemade pudding Rory brought and enjoyed the sunny day.
“How was lunch with your parents?” Bernard asked.
“Fine,” he said. “My dad and brother know about us.”
“They know?”
“Yes. My brother tried to force it out of me a few months ago.”
Bernard watched as tears formed in Rory’s eyes. He reached over and held him.
“My dad’s the one who said I should come see you back in April. That first Saturday we spent together. I think he knew then but waited for me to accept it.”
“Just like with me,” Bernard said.
“What is just like with you?”
“Everyone else knew I was gay before I did.”
His father told him as much. His parents waited for him to come out. He didn’t come out to his dad until he was twenty-two. Sarah said she knew when he told her. He’d told Rory when he was twenty-four, right after his excommunication. They didn’t speak for a year. Rory came back in time for Jason to break his heart. He stayed. He stood by him.
“Yup, seems that way,” Rory said.
They followed the usual path. This time, Rory put his hand in Bernard’s.
Bernard turned to meet Rory’s gaze.
“Are you sure?” he asked.
