Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 9

alumnus and huge gossip. Sean got an earful of it every time his jazz band kids played there.
    "Sorry about that." Jase sighed. "At the time, I really didn't want to talk about it. I knew you didn't like him to begin with, and when I came home early from rehearsal one night and found him blowing our neighbor on our living room couch, it was pretty fucking over. He was leaving to do the Radio City Christmas Show in New York in a few weeks, and I told him not to come back when it was over."
    "I'm sorry Jase."
    "Don't be. It's done. I was angry for a long time, and I had to get tested for six months, which sucked." He raised his bottle as if in a final salute "He was great in bed, but he was an ass." He took a drink.
    "He was an ass, but that's not why I didn't like him."
    "Why then?" Jase inquired. Sean looked down at his hands. He didn't answer. "Tag?" Jase said in a questioning voice.
    Sean took a deep breath. "Are you seeing anyone now?"
    Jase snorted and rolled his eyes. "No. That's a hell no. I've been on a few bad dates, and had a brief fling right after Marcus split, but no. Big dry spell." He leaned back on the couch and turned to look at Sean, "Don't change the subject Tag," he grinned, "you were about to tell me why you always hated Marcus?"
    Sean closed his eyes. Truth , he reminded himself. He took a few deep breaths. "I envied him, Jase."
    "What? Why?"
    Truth, truth, truth. " Because he got to have you, and I didn't." How's that for spilt milk? "Because I wanted you. I wanted to be with you. Jase, I... I think I still want that."
    CHAPTER 4
    Jase's stood up from the couch. Tag wanted him? To be with him? "WHAT?" Jase asked. Sean started to push himself up from the couch and follow Jase, but Jase held up his hand, indicating that Sean should stay back. Sean stayed put, settling himself on the very edge of the cushion. He was sitting with his elbows on his knees, holding his chin up with his hands. He looked up at Jase, his brown eyes wide and tinged with self mocking.
    "I wanted you." Sean repeated, "That's why I didn't like Marcus."
    "But you," his brain was having trouble winding its way around Sean's statement. "When did you... you're straight, Tag," he blurted.
    Sean shook his head no, and Jase cocked his head to one side. He knew he was staring at Sean like some kind of cross eyed goon, but he couldn't help it. "I'm bi Jase," Sean corrected.
    "What?"
    "Bi. As in, I am bisexual." Sean stated. He was so matter of fact, "Jase, I'm sorry, I should have told you a long time ago."
    You fucking well should have. Jase thought. "When did you know and how did I not know? Does Lisa know? Jesus Sean, how come you didn't tell me?"
    Sean ran his hands through his unruly hair. "I told Lisa I was bi when I found out about Cody and we decided to make a go of it. As far as knowing myself, I guess in high school. But I don't think I actually admitted to myself that I might be bi until the summer before college."
    "Why didn't you tell me freshman year? Why not tell everyone when you came to college?"
    "I wasn't sure. I know, I know, it pays to advertise, but I didn't want to come out unless I met someone, and I was sure. When I came to the Conservatory, I noticed a few guys, but there wasn't anyone I thought I wanted to be with... and women asked me out, not guys, so I went out with women. By the time I was sure, Jase, with you, I didn't realize how I felt until it was too late. When I finally knew for sure, there was no point in telling you... Jase... I..."
    "How the fuck could there be no point in telling me that you were bi? That you wanted me? When did you know?" Jase was angry. How the heck had he missed this?
    "I've known," Sean took a deep breath, "since senior year, after we started living together. You were already dating Marcus. I don't know why I didn't see it sooner, but it wasn't till then that I figured out that I wanted you." Sean's voice dropped to a whisper, "That I was in love with you." He stared at Jase with wide eyes.
    Jase stared back. He needed to sit down. He sank down on the window bench behind him, stared at his friend, and wondered how he hadn't seen it. Senior year was three years ago as of this fall, and he hadn't had the slightest clue how Tag had felt. In his mind, Tag had always been straight, and therefore off limits, but he'd always thought Tag was adorable... and hot . Tag was shorter than Jase by almost five inches, but he was stocky and well built. His brown hair always stuck out in