“No, I just opened the drawer, and there it was.”
“Okay.”
“And the cover had men that look like you. I don’t remember the title, but I think the word bear was there.”
Kelly watched bear porn? Bernard’s heartbeat increased. Kelly, lying on his bed naked, jerking off to porn. Damn, that would be hot.
“Okay, so he’s attracted to guys like me,” he said. “Physical attraction is only part of it. How do you know we’ll hit it off?”
“Well, I only met Kelly a few times when we went to visit John’s parents. He didn’t make it to the wedding…”
“Why’d you stop?”
“I can’t say why, I promised,” she said. “Anyway. John talks about him a lot. So, from what I’ve gathered, you might make a good pair. He’s so sweet.”
“I need you to trust me to know when I’m ready,” Bernard said.
“Okay, I’ll stop pushing.” She hugged him.
“I know you want to help,” Bernard said, “and he is attractive.”
“Right,” she said.
They rejoined John and Kelly in the living room. John cued up an episode ofUnsolved Mysteries.
“Oh, I love this show,” Bernard said.
“Me too,” Kelly said.
They sat through the episode. Sarah, John, and Kelly enjoyed a glass of wine while Bernard drank his soda. He loved how Sarah and John never pressured him to drink. He found it hard at first. Seeing others around him drink while he had soda or water. Kelly didn’t mention him not drinking. How much had Sarah and John had told Kelly about his past? He didn’t want to think about what Kelly would think of him if he knew.
After the show, Bernard said his goodbyes. He hugged John and Sarah. Kelly held out a hand to shake, and Bernard took it.
“Thank you for a wonderful evening,” Bernard said. “I had a lot of fun.”
He walked to his car when Kelly called out his name. Bernard closed his eyes.What did Sarah tell him?
“What’s up, Kelly?” He turned around.
“I know what Sarah and John are trying to do,” he said.
“Ah, I thought you’d figure it out,” Bernard said. Sarah and John were not subtle.
“I chose the house because it was perfect for me,” he said. “I didn’t even know it was near you.”
“I’m not blaming you for anything. Sarah has done this before,” Bernard said. “Her heart’s in the right place. I’m just not in the right place.”
“Then we agree.”
Bernard stared into his hazel eyes. Kelly smiled.
“I’m not looking to date,” he said. “I had…” He wrapped his right arm around his left. His eyes shifted downward.
“You don’t have to talk about anything that you’re not comfortable with.”
“Thank you,” Kelly said. “I don’t think I’m ready to talk about it yet.”
“If you ever want to hang out, let me know.”
