Love Means No Shame - Andrew Grey

deer in headlights. They heard sirens, and a police car pulled up a few seconds later, sirens blaring, lights flashing.
    The policemen got out, and Geoff beckoned them over. They asked all kinds of questions about what had happened, and Geoff told them about the accusation the men made. Understandably, the police were very interested, and they walked to the truck and spoke briefly with Eli before finishing up their questions. Finally, after what seemed like hours, they were told they could go. Geoff asked Raine to drive, and Eli helped him into the truck.
    The ride back to the farm was anything but joyful. Geoff was in pain and felt like crap. When they reached the farm, Eli and Raine helped him out of the truck and into the house. They found Len in the living room.
    “What happened?” Len asked.
Geoff explained about the incident in Ludington after lowering himself into a chair. Eli sat on the sofa, looking at him.
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“Why would they do that?” Len looked worried.
    “One of the kids said that my relatives didn’t like me carrying on with boys either. I think someone has been spreading rumors that I’m having a relationship with someone underage.” Len jumped to his feet. “That bitch!”

    “We don’t know it’s her.” Geoff didn’t sound convincing, even to himself.

    “That’s just the type of thing she would do, though. Spreading lies all around town. Hell, she doesn’t even need to tell lies. All she’d do is embellish the truth and let those busybodies take it from there.”

    Geoff was too tired to figure it out right now. Slowly, he got up, gave Len and Raine each a hug, and limped painfully upstairs to his bedroom.
    The first thing he did was take something for the pain. Then he got undressed and climbed into bed. He heard voices drifting up from downstairs as he lay there, his thoughts drifting to his dad and then Eli. Tears came unbidden to his eyes, and he tried to brush them away, but more took their place. Maybe I shouldn’t have stayed here. Maybe I should have sold the farm when I had the chance. What if they’d hurt Eli or Raine instead of me?
    He was so deep in his self pity that he didn’t hear his door open and close, but he felt Eli’s arms around him, and that touch released a torrent of tears. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” Geoff’s body ached, he cried so hard.

    “It’s okay.” Eli rocked him gently as he clung to him. “Lay back.” Eli settled him back on the pillow as his tears tapered off and got up off the bed. Geoff half expected him to leave, but Eli used the bathroom and then got back into bed, holding him until he fell asleep.
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    Geoff had a rough night. His leg hurt, and he woke often, but Eli was there. When he woke in the morning, the bed was empty, but he heard Eli in the bathroom. Pushing back the covers, he looked at his side. His hip and calf were dark purple, and his leg was stiff and achy. Slowly he got to his feet, pulling on a pair of pants and shrugging into a shirt.
    Eli came out of the bathroom looking almost as bad as Geoff felt. He threw on his robe, and after giving Geoff a quick kiss, went down to his room to dress. Geoff cleaned up and went downstairs.
    Raine was already up and having a cup of coffee. “How’s your leg?”
“Rainbow-colored, but not too bad otherwise.” Geoff sat down at the table, and Len brought him some coffee.
    Len sat down. “The police called this morning. They have the three men who assaulted you. They’d been drinking for much of the day yesterday. The officer said they were in jail and being charged with assault. He also said that when they sobered up, they confessed to everything.” He sipped his coffee. “One of the boys is Frank and Penny Winters’ nephew.”
    Geoff sighed as he sipped his coffee, having nothing to say.

    Raine finished his coffee. “I’ve got to head out. Will you walk me out so I can say good-bye?” As they walked through the house, they met Eli coming down the stairs. Raine hugged him tight and said something to Eli, but Geoff couldn’t hear it. Then he continued outside to the car. “Is everything loaded?” Geoff asked.
    “Len helped me this morning. Look, you take care and don’t let this get you down. It was just a bunch of stupid kids who’d had too much to drink. Besides, you need to take care of Eli.” Raine huffed when he saw Geoff’s expression and smacked him gently on shoulder. “He saw and heard everything that