“Not just him,” Patrick whispered. “What if he told my pastor and church… everything? I love my church, I don’t want to have to leave.”
“If it’s truly a church ofGod,then they’ll love you right back, no matter what.”
Patrick wanted to believe they would.
“Is your church a Side B church?” Derek asked. “I mean, everyone in the church?”
“No. It’s a mix of both sides. And straight people, too, who are allies to our community.”
“That’s good,” Derek murmured. “So, do you think they might make you leave?”
Patrick hung his head; he didn’t want to say it.
Derek figured it out. “Because of me, and because you’re living in a house full of porn stars.”
“Yeah.”
“Well, sometimes Gideon goes to church and I think they know who he is and what he does. And they don’t bar him from entering.” He smiled. “Give your people the benefit of the doubt. If they turn you away, that’s on them and they’ll be the ones answering to God, not you. Becauseyouare amazing, and no one knows that better than God—because He made you that way.”
Patrick laughed softly, his cheeks warming. He reached over and took Derek’s hand. “I think He made you pretty amazing, too.”
“Aww.” Derek ducked his head, feigning shyness. “Go on.”
Patrick laughed, drawing laughter from Derek.
“Come on.” Derek kissed his hand and opened the car door. “You have nothing to fear. Just try to remember that Brian is dealing with some tough issues. I was pretty miffed at him before you told me about his brother. Maybe that doesn’t excuse what he did to you—itdoesn’texcuse it—but I’m kind of feeling sorry for him, too. When stuff like that gets all tangled up inside a person, it can cause them to do and say things—evenbelievethings—that they otherwise wouldn’t.”
“I know,” Patrick whispered. “I cried when he told me. I just wish I knew how to help him. Even after everything, I don’t want to lose him as a friend. But I’m scared of what will happen to him if he keeps going to conversion therapy. I meanmentallyand spiritually.”
“I guess, if he won’t listen to you, then all you can do is pray for him.” He smiled and cocked his head. “Youdobelieve in the power of prayer, right?”
Patrick gazed at him warmly. “Yeah. I do.”
“You’re so adorable,” Derek whispered, his smile stretching.
They left the car and made their way toward the main booth, Patrick clutching Derek’s hand. He impulsively started to let go of Derek as members of his church came into view—but held on tighter instead. He had vowed to “cast out fear” for Derek and holding his hand in public was a step in that direction.
The pastor spotted him and walked his way, a smile on his face. “Patrick. You’re here. I’d heard you might not be able to make it.”
“Heard from who?”
“Brian.”
Patrick chewed his lip, his gut knotting. “What… what did he say?”
“Not much, really. Just that you were going through some stuff at home and might not make it here today.” Concern warmed his eyes. “Is everything all right at home?”
“Uh… not really, but I’m not staying there right now.”
“I see. If you decide you want to talk about it, just let me know.”
“Thank you, pastor.”
The man turned his attention to Derek. “Who’s your friend?”
“Derek,” Patrick murmured. “He offered me a place to stay until I figure stuff out at home.”
The pastor glanced at their clasped hands and Patrick tensed a bit more, then relaxed when his smile widened, and he extended a hand to Derek. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Pastor Timothy Keller.”
