Chapter 19

Elliot downed half of it in a few gulps. He dried his mouth with the back of his hand, trying to decide how much to tell. Since Hank had rescued his ass, he guessed he owed the man the truth.

He gestured for Hank to join him on the couch. Hank sat gingerly on the edge of the seat with his legs primly together and to the side, like an old maid. Elliot hid a smile behind his hand. Hank wasn’t the sitting type, that much was clear.

“He threw me out on my eighteenth birthday. Told me to leave and to never come back. So I did. This is the first time I’ve been back in ten years.”

“Why?”

“He doesn’t like that I’m gay.”

“Oh.” Hank knitted his eyebrows together. “Did he…?” He swung his fisted hand, mimicking a blow.

“Yeah.”

“Ass.”

Elliot nodded and finished the rest of his water before he leaned back and rested his head on the sofa.

Hank stood. “I gotta…” He gestured to the door.

“Yeah, okay. Thanks for the help.”