Patrick nodded. “I wouldn’t have given him the keys, but he took them while I was asleep. He tried to get me to give him my phone, too. But I wouldn’t.”
“Wow. That’s… crazy.”
“That’s what I thought,” Patrick murmured.
“I’m glad you contacted me instead of going with them.” He glanced at Patrick. “What, exactly, were they wanting you to do? Besides simply going home. Why were you afraid to go home?”
“They want to put me in conversion therapy.”
“What?” Derek blinked. “No. No—that shit is dangerous.”
“I know.” He hung his head and whispered, “Brian told me he’s doing it. He wanted me to do it with him.”
Derek frowned. “I thought Brian was a Side B Christian like you?”
“He is. Or was. I thought so, anyway. Now… he just wants to be straight.”
“Why?”Derek chuffed. “I love being gay.”
“Did any of your family or friends ever persecute you for being gay?”
“No.”
Patrick pursed his lips, his vision swimming. “You might not love it so much if they had.”
“Yeah.” Derek sighed. “You’re right. I’ve never had to go through those struggles. I guess I can understand why being gay may not be so fun for those who are abused and attacked for it. I’m sorry. Sometimes I forget it isn’t so easy for everyone.”
“It’s okay,” Patrick whispered. “You’re lucky.” He turned his head, his gaze resting on Derek’s handsome face. “Be glad you have it easy… and never take it for granted.”
. . .
“Are you hungry?” Derek turned off the street into a Burger King parking lot. “I’m starving. I went for a jog early this morning and was going to grab some breakfast when I got back. Then I got your text and came straight into town.”
“I haven’t eaten today,” Patrick admitted. “When I got up, my dad started in on me about…”
“What?”
“You.”
“I’m sorry,” Derek murmured. “I never wanted to cause you problems.”
Patrick shook his head. “You were just a convenient argument. If it wasn’t you, he would’ve found something else to use against me. I didn’t stay. He had my car keys, so I left on foot.”
“So…” Derek smiled small. “Food?”
“I only have a few dollars.”
“My treat.” Derek didn’t give him a chance to argue and pulled into the drive-thru lane.
When they got their orders, he parked in the far corner of the lot and started to dig out his burger, then paused.
“If you’d rather eat inside, we can.”
“No.” Patrick opened his bag. “This is fine.” He didn’t immediately unpack his meal.
“Is everything all right? Did they get your order wrong?”
“No.” Patrick looked out the front windshield, his eyes watery. “I… I didn’t know if you got my text,” he whispered thickly. “My phone died as soon as I sent it. I thought it didn’t send.”
