Page 72 of Love On and Off Set

“Yes. Rocco is Marco’s dad. My friend is dating his best friend’s father. And their getting together story is kind of cute and I suppose it’s weird, but not to us.”

“Right.”

“So maybe don’t make it weird?” He met my gaze.

I held up the hand not clutching the cloth bag with the nice bottle of wine. “I’m all about live and let live. I’m just trying to piece things together.”

“It’s actually pretty straightforward.”

The light turned green, and we walked across the street.

“I met Troy at this restaurant I used to hang out at while reading my books. He wasn’t treated well there, but that’s a whole other story. Anyway, he broke his leg, and he needed a place to stay. Rocco took him in. And, well…”

“They got together…?”

“They fell in love.” Freddie grinned.

My heart stopped. He’s not talking about you. About how he once loved you. “Fell in love. Sounds like a nice story.”

“Well, Marco came home from a study trip and found them in bed together.” Freddie chuckled. “Well, Troy was in bed, naked, and Rocco had gone out to get some food.”

“Oh dear.”

Another laugh. “Yes, you can say that. I’ve heard the story from all three parties at various times over the last eight months. Each version is slightly different. In the end, though, Marco teases them and is also incredibly happy for them. Troy…had a rough time growing up. Marco’s mom died, and he worried his dad might never find someone. Little did he know his dad would wind up with his best friend.”

“Cute story.”

“Right? And Troy’s starting at UBC in the fall. He’s going to study literature. He just finished his high school studies. His stupid parents kicked him out at sixteen when they found out he was gay. He…struggled.”

“Sounds like it.” I tried to keep the bitterness from my tone.

Freddie squeezed my arm. “Your parents were total shits, Andreas. I’m glad you’re no longer in contact…” His voice trailed off. “You’re not, are you?”

“Oh fuck, no.” I glanced around, relieved not to find any small ears within hearing range. “Nope. Never talked to them again.”

“Okay.” He didn’t look convinced.

“I’m serious, Freddie. When I left for Stanford, I took everything I wanted with me. I haven’t been in contact with them.”

The next light turned green, and we advanced into the intersection.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I just…” He cleared his throat. “I thought…”

“Thought what?”

He appeared about to answer when a car turning right nearly clipped us. I slammed my palm against the hood.

The startled driver, who’d been looking left, shot their gaze to me. Their wide eyes assured me they were just careless and not looking to mow down pedestrians on this lovely, sunny afternoon. The young man held up his hands and mouthed, sorry.

I saluted, guided Freddie around the hood of the car, and continued our trek uphill. “This hill is going to level out soon, right? I mean, I’m fit, but this is a little ridiculous.”

“Next intersection it’ll be flat. We’re more than halfway there.” He offered me a grin.

Thought what? The driver had interrupted our conversation and I couldn’t decide if I should start it up again where we’d left off. He didn’t appear to be in any hurry to, though, so I let it drop.

As promised, at the next intersection, things were flat instead of an incline. We walked silently for a block when I pointed. “What the hell is that?”