Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 8

with Julius sitting astride his lap, kissing him passionately. He returned Julius' kisses and allowed the young man's hands to roam. Finally, he couldn't keep the voice in his head from speaking out.
    "Wait." He gently pushed Julius away, holding him out at arm's length. No matter how angry he was with Nathan, he just couldn't go through with it. Julius sat back, his chest rising and falling rapidly, blond hair falling roguishly over his brow, and his full lips swollen. It made Harlan feel all the more like a heel. The kid obviously had a crush on him, and not because there was potential money to be made. The kid wasn't as good at hiding his feelings as he thought he was.
    "Why are you here, Harlan? What happened?"
    Taking a deep, calming breath, Harlan told Julius everything, more than he'd ever confided in anyone who wasn't Nathan. He didn't know anything about Julius, had no reason to trust him or think the kid would even care. There was just something about him, something that had Harlan telling him about his time in France, about when he'd met Nathan, and everything that had quickly followed, including what had happened earlier tonight. It was more than he'd ever talked in his life. Once he'd said all he had to say, he sat quietly, watching Julius who was in turn, watching him.
    "How do you know he would have gone through with it?" Julius asked curiously.
    "You don't know how balled up Nathan was after Danny disappeared. How could he not be tempted?"
    "Harlan, you were tempted." Julius gave a little smile and traced a finger down Harlan's jaw. "You still are, and that's okay. What you feel for Nathan, the respect you have for him and what you two share was enough to bring you to your senses. How do you know he wouldn't have done the same? You said it yourself. Nathan has never stayed in one place for long. He had trouble being faithful, and even Danny couldn't keep him from feeling restless. And then you came along."
    "He sure as hell didn't look like he was about to come to his senses," Harlan muttered. "He still has feelings for Danny. I know he does."
    "Of course he has feelings for Danny. You never forget your first squeeze. Add that to the fact that when you met Nathan, he was grieving for Danny's loss. Suddenly after all those years of believing the man was dead, he reappears. That doesn't mean he's suddenly stopped loving you. He just needs some time. There's a lot for him to come to terms with." He put his hand to Harlan's cheek, and smiled tenderly. "Danny is Nathan's past, you're his present, and if you make the right choice, his future. You need to listen to him. Give him the chance to explain how he's feeling. He needs you, Harlan."
    "Nate?" Harlan scoffed at that. "Nathan Reilly doesn't need anyone."
    "Appearances can be deceiving, believe me." Julius slid off his lap and sat beside him. "Do you honestly believe he came away from that place unscathed? No matter what he says or how much he pretends, I get the feeling he puts on a brave front for your sake. All this time, you've believed that you need him more than he needs you. I think you're mistaken."
    Harlan had never even considered the possibility. Nathan was so strong willed, always exuding nothing but confidence and cockiness. It was like he always knew exactly what to do and how to do it. If he ever felt vulnerable, he sure as hell never showed it. He'd always just assumed Nathan was the kind of guy who never felt down in the dumps. Admittedly, maybe he could have been more attentive to Nathan. Maybe the signs had been there, but Harlan had never bothered to pick up on them.
    "You know I'm right, Harlan."
    "Your voice has changed," Harlan murmured.
    Julius cocked his head to one side, puzzled. "I beg your pardon?"
    "Your voice. You're actually very well-spoken. Why the big show?" Harlan asked, wondering what a right guy like Julius was doing trying to take wealthy men for their money.
    Julius smiled sadly and got to his feet. "You're a very smart man, Harlan. Don't give up on him. Very few of us have what you have. At the risk of sounding off the cob, as they say, he's worth fighting for."
    Knowing Julius had said as much as he was going to, Harlan stood and collected his things. He turned to Julius and pulled him into his arms. "Thank you. If you ever need anything, anything at all, you come find me." He gave Julius their address and popped his hat on his head.
    "And you know where to find me," Julius said, giving his lips a quick kiss