The Gus Diaries
Part 157
Marry Me? II
Before Jeff had a chance to call Matt, his cell phone started to buzz. “It’s
him. I guess he couldn’t wait for me to call.”
I rolled my eyes. “Just pick it up and let’s get this over with quickly so we
can get on with our special day. The one you promised me.” I couldn’t help
giving Jeff a figurative poke to remind him of his commitment to making this the
best Valentine’s Day ever.
“Hopefully this won’t be too big of a deal.” Jeff picked up the phone. “Hey,
Matt, I was just about to call you.”
* * * * *
“Yeah, I’m with Gus. Can I put you on speaker?” Jeff set the phone down on the
table after turning on the speaker function. “Okay, Matt, we’re all set. Gus and
I are both listening. What’s got you all tied up in knots and in such urgent
need of our help? Looking for a hottie to take out on Valentine’s Day?”
Even though Jeff seemed pretty relaxed, I couldn’t let go of my gut feeling this
was a lot more critical than Matt merely needing us as matchmakers.
“Look, guys. This is really serious. My parents kicked me out.”
“What! Why?” Jeff was shocked, I was just sad. Having met his parents a couple
of times, I got the sense that they were merely putting on a show of accepting
their son’s revelation that he was gay.
“Even though they seemed to take my sexual orientation well, they obviously
thought I’d grow out of it and marry some pretty girl by now so my dad could
hand over the business as a wedding gift.”
This sounded like something out of the dark ages. “Your dad does know you’re
only twenty-one. Why would he want you to get married so young no matter who it
was?” This made no sense to me.
“Apparently, since I didn’t go away to college, he expects me to take over the
business sooner rather than later. He’s never taken care of his health and that
neglect is catching up with him. He wants to retire and leave it in solid hands
and that means me -- settled down -- those were his words, not mine.” Matt
sounded awful.
I was horrified, although Jeff seemed to be less and less surprised as Matt
explained his predicament. “You mean if you married anyone, even a guy, they’d
be okay?”
“I don’t know if they’d be okay, but they’d know I was settling down as a family
man. Unfortunately, I haven’t found Mr. or Ms. Right yet; not that I was looking
all that hard.”
“Matt, where are you now?” I was concerned that he was out in the cold with his
backpack.
“I’m at the Liberty Diner. Your grandmother gave me breakfast.” Matt paused.
“She’s a really nice lady.”
“She is.” I nodded even though only Jeff could see me. “She still works at the
diner part time because she likes to help all her boys.”
Jeff interrupted. “We’ll meet you there in about an hour. Just hang out and
drink some more coffee while letting Mrs. Horvath take care of you. Gus and I
will help you figure something out.”
“Okay. Just get here as soon as possible. I don’t know what the hell I’m going
to do next.”
After Jeff disconnected the phone I looked at him.
“I know what you’re thinking, Newbie. He’s being a drama queen, and ruining our
V-Day all at the same time.” Jeff squeezed my hand in his.
“Although I can be selfish where you’re concerned, that’s actually not what I’m
thinking.” If the thought of our day being shot to hell hadn’t gone through my
mind more than once in the previous five minutes, I might have been insulted.
Jeff knows me too well.
“What’s got you bugged? I can see it in your entire expression.” Jeff pressed
his lips to mine. “I won’t let him ruin our day. It’ll just start a little later
than planned.”
I laced my fingers through the slightly-longer-than-usual locks of Jeff’s hair
and claimed his lips once again, opening my mouth to invite him in. We allowed
ourselves a few moments of pure bliss, tasting one another and savoring one
another’s touch.
“And you tell us to get a room.” Dad walked into the kitchen, dressed in one of
his black, long-sleeved button down shirts and black jeans. Looking at him, I
wondered if Pop had taken out his clothes, as I know Pop loves him in that
outfit.
“You look like you’re ready to go to Babylon. Isn’t it a little early for that?”
“Very perceptive, Sonny Boy.” Dad poured himself another cup of coffee. “Justin
and I will be heading into the Pitts for the day, ending with a guest appearance
at the club.”
I nodded.
“We should probably dress for a day in the city too.” I looked at Jeff,
surprised by his statement.
“So we won’t be coming back after our trip to the diner to see Matt?”
“I’m not sure how the timing will work out with my plans, but let’s just say
you’ll want to wear something a little bit, uhm--” His voice trailed off as he
glanced at Dad.
“Are you saying you want my son to look hotter than he already does in
sweatpants?” Dad raised an eyebrow and grinned.
Jeff’s cheeks turned bright red. It was kind of cute to see that he could still
get that way in front of my dad when thinking about me. “I guess that is sort of
what I’m saying.”
“Well, Gus, by all means. Don’t keep the young man waiting too long.” Dad looked
at Jeff. “Will you be changing to match my son’s style?”
“Yes, Mr. Kinney... I mean Brian.”
Dad laughed. “By the way, did I hear you two say you were meeting Matt in the
Pitts. I didn’t know you were into threesomes.”
“Dad!”
“We’re not.” Jeff jumped in. “He’s having some problems with his parents and
their crazy, old-fashioned expectations of him so, unfortunately for Matt, they
kicked him out.”
“For being gay?” Dad took a sip of coffee, listening intently.
“More due to the fact that being gay has kept him from making any kind of
relationship commitment.”
“Assholes. Heteros can’t commit anymore than homos.”
“Dad!”
“What, Gus? It’s the truth.” He took his cup as he left the room. I heard him
walk back upstairs, probably to join Pop.
“Your dad’s right. Matt’s parents are being assholes. I bet this is their idea
of a good way to get him to hook up with a girl again.”
I wish I didn’t agree, but I was fairly certain Jeff was right.
We both went upstairs to change for what I was beginning to think would be a
long, and not nearly as romantic day as I had hoped.
[TBC]
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