Katt nodded.
“I asked to speak with you because I want to offer you a choice.”
“About what?”
“You signed up for this segment fully aware that the video footage would be released to our viewers.”
“Yeah,” Katt murmured.
“Well, despite the popularity of this series among our viewers, my first and foremost concern is for the young men who come here in good faith, trusting they are in a safe space.” Gideon leaned forward in his chair. “Since you weren’t technicallycuriouswhen you signed up, and considering everything surrounding your being here, I’m willing to give you the choice whether the film is released to our viewers.”
“What?”
“I would understand if you don’t want it to go public. Even though I’m legally free to release the video, I won’t ever put someone in the public eye who isn’t ready to be there. So, I will leave it up to you.”
Katt lowered his eyes to the floor, his hands tense against his thighs. “I…” He looked up. “I think… I’m okay with it.”
“Keep in mind,” Gideon said. “Once it’s out there, there’s no taking it back.”
“I know,” Katt whispered. “I think I’ve been hiding from myself since I was thirteen. I don’t want to hide anymore.” His eyes warmed. “And I for sure don’t want to hide my feelings for Franco.”
Gideon smiled. “That’s brave of you. No one should have to hide that way.” His smile stretched. “So, these feelings… are they mutual?”
“Yeah,” Katt laughed softly, ducking his head.
“That’s great.” Gideon cleared his throat, took an envelope from his desk, and handed it to Katt. “Your payment for the segment.”
Katt stared at the envelope, then tucked it into his leather jacket. “Thank you. This will help. Franco and I are gonna get an apartment together while we figure out what to do. Neither of us wants to go to the same college as Todd.”
“Understandable.” Gideon stood and moved from behind his desk to lean against the front. “You and Franco are welcome to stay here for a while if you want time to process everything. It’s a safe space.” He smiled. “No pressure, though. It’s simply an invitation. No obligation on your part to accept it.”
Katt seemed pleased by the offer. “I’ll talk to Franco.”
When Katt returned to the rec room, where Franco hung out with the other guys, Samson approached Katt. “Can we talk for a minute?”
“Yeah.”
They stepped outside the room. Samson asked, “Are you doing okay?”
“Yeah, I’m okay,” Katt said quietly.
“Is Franco going to be all right with everything that happened here?”
“I hope so,” Katt murmured. “He hasn’t really said anything about it yet. But he seems okay.”
Samson nodded. “Do you regret any of it?” he asked. “Now that you know how Franco feels about you? Do you wish you hadn’t done it?”
Katt had been asking himself the same thing. “No,” he whispered. “I think maybe I… I needed to do it. I’m not sure I would have really accepted I was gay if I hadn’t experienced the…realityof it.” He looked up at the man, feeling a kind of bond with him now. “I’ll never be sorry for this experience with the twins… and you. You helped me figure out who I was, all of you did, and I’ll always be grateful for that.” He smiled, rubbing the back of his neck. “And you three were just…wow.”
Samson chuckled and hugged Katt, kissing his head. “I’m glad I didn’t break you.”
“You kind of did,” Katt laughed softly. “But I’m not complaining.”
“It’s nice here.” Franco and Katt walked along the path from the spacious backyard into the trees.
“We can stay for a while,” Katt said. “Gideon invited us.”
“Hm.” Franco glanced up at the boughs overhead, where afternoon sunlight cut through, streaking the path before them.
