“What?” Bernard said.
“Are you and Rory the only ones who don’t see it?” John said.
“See what?”
“Dear God, man,” Kelly said. “You and Rory keep eyeing each other like you want to rip the rest of each other’s clothes off.”
“No, we don’t.”
“Yes, you do,” they all said.
“I can’t help that I find him attractive.” Bernard shrugged.
Sarah huffed, clearly frustrated with Bernard. “But it’s happening on both ends. How can you not see that? You need to say something to him, or I will.”
“You wouldn’t,” Bernard said.
“Try me.”
She would. Sarah was brazen. If she thought it would help someone, she did it. She’d tried to set him up with Kelly, despite denying it.
“Don’t,” Bernard said. “If he’s gay or bi or whatever, I’m not forcing him out. That’s not my place. I get you all are trying to help, and you see things I don’t. But I don’t want to lose him again. I’ll be there for him, and I’ll support him, but I won’t force him out.”
“His reaction when you helped me move tells me everything I needed to know,” Kelly said.
“What reaction?” Sarah asked.
“Rory saw us hug and had a look like someone shot his dog,” Kelly said.
“Wow, that’s intense,” John said.
“I just know what it’s like for him,” Bernard said. “Remember, I came from a similar upbringing. I was lucky with my family. I don’t know if he’ll be as lucky. It’s best to let him discover himself in his own time.”
Sarah agreed not to say anything and let Bernard move forward at his pace. She warned him not to let Rory go. If another man approached him at the right time, Bernard would lose his chance. They all agreed Rory wasn’t straight and the way he looked at Bernard proved it. There was something more. Bernard needed to let Rory come out when he was ready, not when it suited him.
Rory returned, and their game continued. It was silent and ominous. The tension in the group grew thick, and Rory had to sense it. Bernard looked everywhere except at Rory. He didn’t want the emotions that flooded him when Rory was near. He didn’t know how their alone time would change. They spent almost every Saturday morning and early afternoon together. It was hard to resist saying something.
“Well, I better head home and get ready for church,” Rory said. “Thanks for having me.”
“Anytime,” John said. “Have a safe trip home.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon?” Bernard asked.
“Yes, I’ll be at the park around one.”
“Great, see you then.”
They exchanged hugs. Rory’s hands slid up and down his back. He resisted getting aroused. He willed himself to stay soft.
Rory waved at them as he walked to his car.
“That hug lasted a little long,” Kelly said.
“He didn’t rub my back when we hugged,” John joked.
“Stop it. I said I’d let him come out when he was ready. He is taking his sweet time about it.”
Rory gave hints he was interested and might expect Bernard to make the first move. He couldn’t do it. Rory needed to say something, not drop hints. He didn’t want to play the what-if game.
