Shy and private, Charlie Labrecque has lived a lie for most of his adult life, choosing to marry a woman and father a child rather than come out of the closet. But now that he is divorced and sees his young son only half the year, he decides it is time to start being honest with himself. And his friends. Starting with his best friend, openly gay Bryce Hanson.<br><br>Bryce responds with his encouragement and promises to be Charlie's training wheels through the difficult transition. But now that both men feel like they can be honest with each other, new desires are found, and new truths are spoken ...

A Simple Truth

The longer it stretched, however, the worse it got. Charlie knew he had to say something. Bryce deserved honesty. Hell, he deserved a lot more than that, but there was no way Charlie was in any kind of place to give it to him at that moment.


He cleared his throat. “Isn’t Thursday night queer night at the Oasis? I was thinking I might try it out this week.”


Bryce had been chewing, but his jaw slowed, and then stilled as Charlie spoke. “By yourself?”


“Yeah. I think. I mean, it seems like a good idea.” He tried to smile but he knew it didn’t work. “The training wheels have to come off some time, don’t they?”


“Yeah.” He took a swallow from his coffee. “Yeah, I mean, if you’re comfortable going out by yourself, you should.”


“Well, I don’t know if I’ll ever be comfortable, but if I don’t do it now, I’ll never find the nerve.” Charlie looked down at his half-eaten omelet. He should’ve waited to talk about this until after he’d finished. He’d lost his appetite now.


Chapter 25