“Do you think you’ll ever visit him?”
“Why would I? He’s not my father. Jedson is. In those three years I lived with them, they showed me more about family and trust and love than I had after fifteen years with Cass and Emily. He can rot in prison for all I care now.”
“At least he’s alive.”
“You did what you had to do to survive. If you hadn’t, we wouldn’t be having this conversation, and you would never have met Santino.”
Orsen felt the blush rise in his cheeks. “He’s nice.”
“He’s back in three days. Is he taking you anywhere?” Cody sipped his water and grinned. “Somewhere nice?”
“Oh no. I don’t want that. Just getting takeout would be nice.” Nothing worse than people watching them, which Cody appeared to understand.
“Yeah, I know that feeling. The first time TJ and I went out to one of the restaurants in town, I could feel all these beady little eyes watching us. Wasn’t like I was fucking him over the table. We were only having a meal. Toni told me we were the highlight of the week for the local gossips.” Cody coughed, then spoke in a nasal voice. “Oh, look at that Cody. The way he treated his poor parents, and he comes back like nothing happened and took that poor TJ. TJ only wants to help people, and Cody took advantage of him.” Cody rolled his eyes. “Bitches.”
“I went into town. They saw me.”
“Damn. Bet that was fun,” Cody muttered. “Not like that Lillybet’s husband was found balls deep in a man or Terrice’s daughter was caught being spit roasted.”
Orsen’s eyebrows shot up. “Spit roasted? Really?”
“Oh yeah, and it’s been posted online for all to see.” Cody grinned. “She has good taste in men.”
“You watched it?” Orsen gasped. Cody had watched a woman with two men? Did he like women as well?
“Did nothing for me, but considering all the shit her mom said about me and TJ, I felt I had to, and I did. TJ wasn’t impressed.”
“I don’t want to see any girl naked.”
“Me neither, but it had to be done.” Cody placed his bottle on the table. “Santino.”
Orsen opened his mouth, then closed it, then blurted, “What if he doesn’t like me? He’s from the city and I’m just a kid and he’s had lots of men and threesomes and he’s so mature and smart and I’m a stupid dumb kid who knows nothing and what could he see—”
“Stop.” Cody held up his hand and Orsen panted, his heart racing. “He wanted to be here for you today. I know he’s pissed that he missed it.”
“You do?” Why hadn’t Santino said that to him? Orsen nibbled his bottom lip. “I’m scared.”
“Why?”
Orsen fidgeted in the chair. “I don’t know much compared to him.”
Cody sighed softly and gave Orsen a soft smile. “You know I ran away from home.” Orsen nodded. “I did everything. I drank and smoked and did drugs and had sex. A lot of sex.” Orsen nodded. “You understand what I mean.”
“You slept around. But that doesn’t mean much because TJ is older, so he’s slept with men as well.”
“TJ has slept with three men and I’m one of them. I have slept with so many men I’ve lost count. I’ve done threesomes. Fuck, I’ve done fivesome and even tensomes. If that word exists. Now I’m with him. A part of me wishes I hadn’t done all of that. That I’d saved myself for TJ, but life takes us on a journey, and we have to learn the lessons that journey provides.”
“I didn’t know.” Cody was so young, and he’d had that much sex. “Why did you have so much sex?” Cody pursed his lips and Orsen shook his head. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.”
“I don’t mind you asking. I’m thinking how to explain. I hated who I was, Orsen. I hated being gay and Cass hated me, but by that point I hated him as well. I did so much damage to myself, and then one day I realized I wanted to live. I almost didn’t make it, but I’m here now.
“Santino won’t care that you’re not experienced. If he is a decent man, he’ll show you what you need to know and take his time with you. You don’t want to rush. Enjoy all the moments.”
“I just worry. I kissed him, and he told me to wait until I was eighteen.” Thinking back to that made Orsen’s cheeks heat up.
“That shows he’s a good guy. I fucked a guy when I was fifteen. Just turned, too. Keep it for someone who will cherish it as the gift it is.” Cody grinned. “Make sure you come a lot before then. Like a lot.”
Orsen giggled, then whispered, “I get so horny around him.”
