Chapter 20: Tennessee's story.

Chapter 20: Tennessee’s story.

As Tennessee maneuvered the truck toward the gravel road, he spoke in low tones. Paxton thought he seemed a million miles away, lost in the past he’d not talked about for a long time. Paxton understood that. He felt that way whenever he spoke about his family.

“Dean and I went to school together. Cletus had a big-time job in the city and kept Dean and his wife Melany way out here. He said it was safer for them, and that’s how I met Dean. At first, I didn’t know I was gay, but over time, I kinda figured it out. I had a huge crush on Dean. I thought the sun rose and set on him.”

“Did you tell him?” Paxton asked.

“I got up the courage our senior year of high school.” Tennessee shook his head. “It took me a while to accept who I was.”

“I take it that it didn’t go well.” Paxton assumed that was the reason Tennessee was still a virgin.