Epilogue

JED

Six months later

Why had I waited so long to break free and become the person that had been hiding within me all these years? The hate and anger I’d inflicted toward him, and the resentment of how he could live his life without having to worry about others, had kept me from him. The last six months had been the best in my life—perfect career with the perfect man by my side. I’m not going to lie; I'd been on a rollercoaster of a journey with my emotions panicking how I should come out to my friends and more so my parents. They had to hear the news from me rather than receive idle gossip that had spread back to them through the community. In the end, I ripped the band aid off and drafted West with me for support, with the promise of drinks on me for having to deal with the onslaught of anger and questions that were surely about to be thrown at me.

That was the last time I’d heard from them—that day five months ago, with the promise their arms would be open for me once I saw sense. West marched me out of the damn restaurant, not before dropping his own truth bomb to them about his own sexual orientation, squeezing my shoulder in the process.

I thought I’d fight, that I’d beg them to accept me, but the truth was I didn’t need that negativity and stress in my life. I had my friends, my stepbrother and, of course, my man. Having my parents by my side would be a bonus, but not at the expense of my freedom.

I sighed slightly too loud, wincing when I saw Zane’s flickering eyelashes and eyes slowly open.

“Morning,” I announced softly, knowing that he was probably exhausted after the night we’d had. “Sorry for waking you,” I uttered as Zane turned onto his side and placed his head against my chest, listening to my heart beating away. A warm fluttering in my chest appeared as I breathed slowly, trying to calm the erratic beat he’d ignited within me as I breathed in his hot naked body. It was a sight I still wasn’t used to, even with the fact I slept most nights at his place.

“Morning to you too, baby. Happy birthday,” he whispered as he placed a kiss on my chest, before lifting his head to glance at me. “Did you not manage much sleep?”

“Nope,” I replied, popping the ‘p’ as I rolled my eyes at him, making Zane chuckle. “I’m worried about today, and whether my parents will turn up or not. West confirmed though.”

“There was no doubt that West would come or not.” He smoothly uttered to me. “It was more about ensuring stability should your parents come. They’d at least have someone to talk to, and you can’t say that you haven’t offered an olive branch out to them, baby,” he uttered as he shifted his body to the side and propped himself up on his elbow, resting his hand on the side of his face. “If they don’t take it then that’s their business. You can at least hold your head up and say you tried and made an effort to invite them along.”

“That’s true,” I murmured, deep in thought. “It’s just…”

“I think it’s time to stop thinking and instead start feeling.” Zane winked at me, crawling up my body until he straddled me. “It’s about time I gave you your first birthday gift,” he whispered into my ear as he ground his hips low and his rock-hard length rubbed against my own, making me groan loudly. “Now where shall I start…”

Zane insisted on arranging a group get together tonight to celebrate my birthday. I mean what could be more fun than the guys, live music and, of course, copious amounts of alcohol to consume. Since the two of us revealed our relationship status to our friends we’d had nothing but support and kind words, instantly stopping the initial panicked thoughts I had about who I was. The only people that seemed like they couldn’t be happy for us were my parents. I even bumped into Zane’s parents with him one day, and the awkwardness the two of us had expected wasn’t there. They seemed genuinely happy for the two of us. even though Zane didn’t understand the change of heart they’d exhibited, he left it to rest and even now sees them on a monthly basis. It was a step in building a relationship with them which he never knew could exist.

It didn’t stop me reminiscing over past birthdays, and the traditions of a close-knit family meal in our favorite Italian that even West showed up for. It was a time where we all managed to put our differences aside no matter the reason and show the love we held for one another—but that seemed to be all gone now. This year though was all about embracing the present and what this moment stood for.

I was now on my third drink—realizing after an hour at The North Avenue Live that my parents weren’t going to turn up.

“Ashton,” Hardin called out, making him halt in his tracks as he noticed him with his coat, about to make his way past the bar to hang his coat up out in the back. “Ask Rebecca for a round of shots for us. Will you, man?”

“Why don’t you…,” Ashton began as Hardin pulled Anthony in for a long hard kiss, wrapping his arms around his body. “Ah, I see why not.” He chuckled.

I watched Ashton as he walked back across with a tray of shots for the group—handing them out to each of the guys before he finally reached me.

“Make sure you down that—” Ashton began passing me the drink across when West walked through the door and marched his way straight toward me. His steely gaze and gritted jaw wasn’t focused on me though—but Ashton.

“West…,” Ashton uttered in confusion. “I—what are you doing here?” he mumbled. “I haven't seen you in what two years—scrap that three years. Want to share a drink with the birthday boy?”

I gazed between the two of them sensing a layer of tension before I took a second shot off the tray and Ashton placed it down on the wooden barrel table to the side of us that I had been leaning on to maintain my balance.

“You've been hiding out here! Fuck!” West shouted out running his hands through his hair and tugging hard, before reaching for a shot and downing it in one. He didn’t even flinch when the harsh liquor hit the back of his throat, just accepting it as if it was a shot of water. “I should be the one asking why you are here drinking with my brother.” He seethed out.

“Hey calm it.” I slurred the words. “Ashton works with Maxwell and Cole. He was a great support when it came to?—”

“It’s a pity he’s not a great support where it truly matters then, isn’t it?” West blurted out just as Zane, Cole and Maxwell joined the three of us. “I’m not staying?—”

“Hey, whatever it is we can sort it out, can’t we?” Zane stepped in trying to diffuse the situation from becoming any more heated than it was. “Afterall we’re all here to celebrate Jed’s birthday, aren’t we?” He looked between the two guys.

“He’s right, you know. Don’t you think that he’s had enough to deal with?” Maxwell said agreeing with Zane as he squeezed the top of West’s shoulder but took a step back holding his hands up in defeat and walking away from us all.

Ashton increased his pace and instantly was on him, reaching for his shoulder and spinning him to face him—the look of confusion penetrating between them as Zane, Maxwell, Cole and I surrounded them for support.

“What the fuck was that meant to be man?” He retorted out. “I haven’t seen you in what seems like forever and this is how you react.” He cocked his head to the side. “What did I ever do to you to make you react like this?”

“Maybe walking away from the Fire Mountain Ranch—” West shouted back as he dug his finger and pointed into his chest, making Ashton’s nostrils flare as he stepped back a step.

“From what? My training at Gratize Accountants had been taken up a notch. I wasn’t tied to Ashwood or the ranch for that matter—” Ashton blurted out to him. “Anyway, it’s none of your business what I do with my life and how I live it.”

“It is when my best friend cries to sleep each night and I have your son asking me if I know where his daddy is.” West screamed in my face as the group of us stared slack jawed at the revelation.

“What?” Ashton countered back blinking twice as he shook his head. “That’s not possible at all. I can’t have a son—you’re mistaken. You have to be.”

“Then look at this.” West announced as he scrolled through his phone and finally stopped on an image. “Is that the proof you need?”

The End