English professor Brian Daly is finally able to live openly with the love of his life, local weatherman Jay Tanner. Jay has ended his sham marriage and come out of the closet, and he and Brian now share a condo in the city. But there’s trouble in paradise. Brian’s best friend Olivia can’t seem to get along with Jay. The two bicker whenever they’re together. In addition to trying to broker peace between his friends, Brian is busy fending off Sean, an infatuated student who wants Brian to be his first lover. When Brian spurns his advances, he threatens to accuse the professor of sexual harassment if the two don’t sleep together. Just when things seem like they can’t get any worse, Brian discovers Jay has been cheating on him with a woman. And not just any woman -- Olivia, who is now pregnant with Jay’s child. Brian’s world crumbles as his relationship with Jay falls apart and his friendship with Olivia is destroyed. While he works to try and put his life back together, Brian is relentlessly pursued by Sean. But this time Brian doesn’t turn him away, and the two begin a relationship that helps Brian get over some of the heartache he’s suffered. After a while, Brian also reunites with Olivia, and becomes a kind of surrogate father to her newborn daughter. The baby helps him hold onto Jay in some small way. Even though he and Jay are no longer a couple, Brian still longs for his former partner. But when Jay reappears in Brian’s life, Brian discovers he isn’t quite ready to forgive and forget. While he still loves Jay, will he ever be able to trust the man again?

Collusion

Sean was visiting relatives in Altoona and wouldn??t be back until after New Year??s. I had actually been looking forward to having a little break from him over the holidays, but after a few days without him, I realized I missed him. I missed his laugh, his smell, his weed. But I made the most of my time alone and actually found it cathartic. I did a lot of soul searching about the difficulties I??d been forced to deal with over the year with Jay and Olivia. The drama between us had put me through the mental wringer. But, in spite of everything that happened, I was still optimistic that the coming year would bring some happiness and positive changes to my life. I was also determined not to wallow in self-pity or let bitterness and depression rule me. I??d done enough crying already and shedding more tears wasn??t going to change one goddamn thing.


When Sean came back from Altoona after New Year??s, I welcomed him with open arms and a kiss.


Chapter 36