Chapter 9

“Fuck, I fucked up so badly. I’m sorry you felt that way. No man has ever mattered to me like you did. I can only imagine what things would be like now if I’d used my brain all those years ago,” Michael curses.

“Did, past tense. That shouldn’t hurt, but it does,” Daniel says quietly.

Michael takes his hand. “I still have feelings for you. I don’t know if you’d call it love, but you still matter to me. I want you.”

“Damn it, I was not prepared for you to say that. What do I say now? What do I do?” Daniel asks, confused by his own feelings.

Michael squeezes his hand. “Maybe you don’t have to know yet. I’m in no rush for an answer. I live here now. Nothing has to be solved tonight. If you’d be willing, I’d like to meet after the solstice is over, after the holiday. Just us, without my family. Get to know each other again.”