Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 10

when I would find a girlfriend.
    Maybe his father had been in a state of denial. He'd had the conversation all those years ago with Jason's mom, but he didn't really want it to be true. Jason guessed that it was this new woman in his life that had made the difference.
    Whatever it had been, Jason was thankful. A huge burden had been lifted from his shoulders, and this gave him the resolve to bite the bullet and confront his father with his other shocking piece of news. Not only was he gay, but he also was in love with his dad's arch enemy.
    He went over the scenario a million times in his head. Should I talk to him about Glenn first and try to reason with him? I could explain to him Glenn's side of the story before actually revealing I'm in love with the man. Or should I tell him about my relationship first, let him blow up, and when he's calmed down, discuss with him what really happened all those years ago?
    Had Jason just acknowledged to himself that he was in love? Wait, wasn't it too soon? How long had it been exactly? People didn't fall in love that fast. Glenn hadn't said the "L" word yet. Of course he wouldn't. They'd only been seeing each other for a month. That wasn't how it worked in real life.
    But Jason knew how he felt. He'd never experienced anything like this feeling. It was a combination of so many wonderful yet powerful emotions. He was giddy and excited while at the same time peaceful and content. Some mornings he wanted to run out on his balcony, spread his arms wide, and shout out to the world, "I've found the man of my dreams, and I love him!"
    He did love Glenn. He was absolutely certain of it, but he was afraid to say the word. What if it slipped out and Glenn didn't feel the same way? What if Glenn didn't want anything serious or long term? What if Jason was just a fling to him? His mid-life crisis.
    All these thoughts passed through Jason's mind during their four grueling days of separation. The only thing Jason could do was the one thing he knew how to do best. Work. He poured himself into his job, going into the office early and staying until well after dark.
    Finally on Wednesday night, he couldn't take it anymore. He'd spoken to Glenn at least three times that day on the phone, but he called him once more.
    "Is everything all right?" Glenn said as he answered the phone. It was after 11pm.
    "No!" Jason said. "Everything is not all right."
    "What is it, babe?" Glenn's voice was laden with concern
    "Us! Glenn, everything is not all right with us . I can't stand this. I can't stand not knowing."
    "Calm down, Jase. What is it? What do you mean?"
    "Glenn… uh… oh God! Glenn, I'm just gonna say it. I love you."
    Jason held his breath, not daring to say another word as he pressed the cell phone tightly against his ear. Tears now were streaming down his cheeks.
    "Babe, I'm so happy you said that." He could hear Glenn's voice choking up. "Because I love you too."
    "You do?" Jason sobbed.
    "I do! I love you so much. I love you, I love you, I love you!"
    "Then why didn't you fucking say so?" Jason said, smiling through his tears. "And why the fuck aren't you here now so I can kiss you, and make unbridled, passionate love to you?"
    "I'm getting my clothes on now and will be on my way…"
    "No, wait!" Jason laughed. "Wait, no I'm sorry. You need to sleep first."
    "How? How can I sleep now?"
    The drive from Houston to Denver was a sixteen hour trek, so Jason did not want Glenn impulsively heading out in the middle of the night with no sleep. "Glenn, no. It's too long a drive. You need to sleep first."
    "I hate sleeping without you," he moaned. "I miss you. I miss the way you curl up next to me, drape your leg over my thigh and rest your head in the crook of my shoulder."
    "My hand on your chest—that amazingly muscular, hairy chest."
    "And the way you smell." Jason could hear Glenn take a deep breath, as if that somehow helped him remember Jason's scent. "I feel your soft hair brushing against my cheek. I keep asking myself, 'Is this real? I must be in a dream because this angel lying here in my arms is just too damn good to be true.'"
    "Oh Glenn…"
    "I'm rock hard. Being this close to you always makes me that way. God, I wish I were twenty years younger. You make me feel twenty years younger."
    "And as I lie there, eyes closed, I run my fingertips across that perfect chest. The hair is so soft, but those nipples… I find one! It's a hard little nub, so excited by my touch. I tweak it, play with