Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 8

better person when you're with him?"
    "Oh yes." Although whether he could be good enough for Trey was still an open question.
    "And you Trey? You still light up like the sun when you look at Josh?"
    "Always have," Trey said quietly.
    "Then it's good." Aunt Julie nodded decisively. "Now Ted's going to fetch a beer for each of us, because we need them. You two can sit down on that couch and tell me how my animals are doing and what you sold from my store this week and how badly you let little old Mrs. I-didn't-bring-my-credit-cards-today Gluckeen rip me off this time." She plunked herself down decisively in the upholstered rocker and cocked her head inquisitively at them.
    Uncle Ted reappeared with four bottles of brew, and somehow Josh found himself sitting on the couch, his leg pressed up against Trey's from knee to hip, explaining to Aunt Julie why they unfortunately hadn't managed to pick out the damned pony's feet.
    ****
    Trey finally called it quits close to midnight. It had been wonderful, healing, to hang out with Josh and chat with his aunt and uncle. At some point he and Josh had changed positions, almost reclining on the couch against each other with Josh's arm tightly around him. Uncle Ted and Aunt Julie had just nodded and asked about Trey's townhouse and Josh's job. It had been slow and sweet and normal . At least as long as they all avoided any mention of Josh's parents off fuming in some hotel room.
    But Trey was already short of sleep, and he'd started nodding off twice. Both times he'd found his hand unconsciously heading for Josh's crotch like a kid looking for his teddy-bear. Or something. He shook his head. Maybe not the best comparison. Either way, he was pretty sure Uncle Ted didn't want to see him jerking Josh off, and he was damned sure he didn't want to be seen. He sat up away from Josh's encircling arm. "I'm losing it. Bed?"
    "Sure, honey," Aunt Julie said. "I should have sent you off earlier, but it was so nice to chat."
    Josh snorted. "You don't have to send us off to bed any more. In fact, I really like going to bed lately." Trey stared at him and he blushed. "Sorry."
    Uncle Ted laughed. "That's okay. Which guest room are you boys using?"
    Trey blinked, amazed it could be that easy. Josh said, "Well, both of them actually, but we're sleeping in the blue room."
    We are? Well, if one night set the trend then he guessed they were.
    "Will you want breakfast in the morning?" Aunt Julie asked. "You don't have to get up for chores or anything. I'm actually eager to go see my critters."
    Trey said slowly, because he'd been thinking about this in the background as they chatted, "I think I should leave early tomorrow."
    "No way." Josh glared at him. "I'm not letting my parents' bigoted attitudes drive you away."
    "Maybe we should both leave, but at least I should," Trey said. "Listen." He put a hand on Josh's mouth to silence a protest. "You know your parents are going to come back here in the morning ready for round two, right? Nothing will have changed."
    "Mph."
    "So why should we be here for that bullshit? We can get an early start and be on the road before they arrive. If Aunt Julie doesn't need our help?" He glanced at her and she shook her head. "Then why start the fight again? Let's give them some distance and some time. Aunt Julie can have the rest of her family weekend without World War Three. We have less than two days before you have to fly home. Why should we waste them on this?"
    He lifted his fingers off Josh's lips. Josh blinked at him, seemed about to speak and then paused.
    "Trey's right, son," Uncle Ted said sadly. "I know you want to stay and make things right with your parents but I think Trey's being smart here. It's going to take more than a good night's sleep to make your mother okay with this. Or your father for that matter. Go somewhere else, have a couple of nice days together. Believe me, this fight will still be here."
    "I hate to run away," Josh grumbled.
    "You're not running away. You're making things easier for Julie. Your parents will be back here, and if they don't have a reason to yell and run around in circles we'll all be happier."
    "It's not funny."
    "I know that. I'm trying to keep it light. We don't want the two of you to go. Frankly, Julie was even more eager to have time with you boys than with her sister. But we've had a nice long chat tonight, and maybe you'll come back here sometime soon. For now, you leaving might keep me from wanting to give your mother