Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 7

Hawaii for their two-year anniversary. Jonathan always stared at that picture, because it was so beautiful. The way his already brown skin contrasted with Ian's lily-white complexion so much more even after Ian had been in the sun for almost a week haunted Jonathan.
    Other memorabilia surrounded him. Bowling trophies they had won together in their league. Pictures of their families and social circle. Black and white. One of them always stood out, whether they were with his friends or with Ian's.
    But at this moment, in this emotion, Jonathan could not find himself anywhere in this place. He couldn't find any happy or good memories that he wanted to keep. How was that possible, after three years?
    All his rage and anger had been building up and now, now it was surfacing because of this damn invitation. After three fucking years, why couldn't he get Ian to commit to him? The question he kept asking himself, How much shit can one relationship take? He had dealt with Ian spending all of their savings on a boat. A boat that Ian had lost interest in after three months, that they then had to sell for half the original cost. He had dealt with Ian cheating on him not once, but twice with different men. Jonathan had even suggested that they try having an open relationship, but Ian had declined.
    And then Ian disappeared for three days, saying he was on a 'runaway weekend with Deanna'. What Ian didn't know was Deanna had called a day after Ian left, wondering where he was.
    "Has he forgotten his spa day with me again ?" she asked, sounding so heartbroken.
    Jonathan had grown to love a lot about Ian. He had even grown to love his in-laws. But Ian was still dodging the bullet. Every time Jonathan brought up the 'Marriage' word, Ian jumped into the nearest book or car, whichever was closest and provided the quickest getaway.
    Jonathan glanced at the invitation again, and felt his emotions once again go up on the spinning wheel. He was happy for Zach and Ann, and a little confused for them. And he was sad for himself, and angry and hurt about Ian. Of these emotions, he chose to go with the anger once again. He fixed himself another drink, and started to march to the exercise room where Ian was.
    He thought, Even Zach and Ann are getting married in six months, and they aren't even a "couple". So why not them? They lived in Washington DC, and it had been legal for over a year, and still nothing. Maybe if I threaten to leave him. No, I don't want a proposal as an ultimatum.
    Jon watched as Ian exercised on his stationary bike pedaling on and on but getting nowhere. He could relate to that. He stood there comparing Ian's small but built body to his larger frame, and got angry at yet another difference between them, another reason for them not to be together. How opposite could two people be and stay together? This was becoming a very serious question in his mind.
    He watched through the glass door that separated the exercise room from the dining room, clutching his glass tightly, and the invitation to the wedding tighter still. He wanted to storm in there and tell Ian it was over. He was unhappy and tired of waiting. He wanted more than great sex and a fabulous house. He wanted a husband.
    But he knew he shouldn't talk to Ian when he was this emotional, so he swallowed the rest of the drink and headed back to the living room to make another one. Knowing Ian's routine, he had almost completed his cycling for the day and would be moving on to his weight lifting routine. As Ian dismounted the bike he glanced at Jonathan through the glass, forgot to remove his other foot from the pedal, and landed hard upon his ankle.
    Jonathan thought he heard a crunching noise even before the scream. He turned around and threw the glass door open and found Ian had somehow twisted his ankle and his foot so much so that he could not move. Running to him, he wanted to help but was afraid to touch him. He knew Ian well enough to know that when he was in pain, he became a drama queen. The slightest scratch or cut became a reason to visit the emergency room. Jonathan both loved and hated that, mostly because it was the only time Jonathan got to see Ian's softer side, and really feel that he was needed.
    Ian was still on the bike, cradling one ankle while his other foot appeared still caught in the protective cuff. Jonathan went to him, and tried to figure out how he could help. Ian had tears running down his cheeks as he tried not to move any more than he had