"I don't understand."
"Chris, I was two months away from turning eighteen. You were barely fourteen. Morally, and legally, things would be weird. I knew after that night I had to stay away from you. Temptation and all that. I still had my brother, Rick and Pete, as means to make sure you were doing alright, but I had to stay away."
"It was practically abandonment after those first few months. I just thought you had given up on me, or were too embarrassed after I caught you."
"Nope. Just the age difference. Even after you graduated, I was already an adult at twenty-one and you were not yet eighteen. I decided to try and forget you. You guys were going to UK, while I didn't get accepted to their med school. I went to Virginia and that was that."
I kept looking at him. He was keeping something back.
"Yet you kept up with Rick and Pete, at least somewhat."
"They are older than you. Pete especially. He had more problems than even you had, but you probably know most of that by now."
No, I didn't
"Anyway, I met my wife and that was that. Will came to join me, and I found out that your little group had broken up. I never pressed on the issue. Then, out of nowhere, Will texted me that you needed a consult on a sinus operation. I couldn't believe it. You FaceTimed me, and my heart almost exploded. I couldn't give you an expert opinion, as surgery isn't my forte, but just seeing you again brightened my whole world. As soon as we were done, I went at it like I was a teenager again."
"Jim, don't say things like that."
He sat up, the sheet still covering him.
"It is the truth. I didn't realize how much I missed you. These last few years, even with the barest detail from you, have brought me so much pleasure. In so many ways. Don't get me wrong. I still love my wife and kids, but I just feel so connected to you. When the chance came to see you, I took it. And I wouldn't change that for anything. Even if you never want to see me, just getting this chance, means everything to me."
I sigh. I hate Jim right now for what he has done. What we did.
"It's almost six thirty. Sam will be up soon. It will take him about ten minutes in the bathroom before he comes down. You'll have just enough time to take a shower and leave. I have the bathroom set up for you. Get dressed then call Will. Rick will be out jogging before work. If you leave by the back door, no one will see you and then you can join themas if nothing happened. Try and hurry."
"Alright," Jim says as he springs out of the back, dropping the sheet. He's buck naked and fully at attention.
I turn away and shield my eyes.
"You still had your boxers on last night."
Jim pulls the sheet back down.
"I guess I took them off. Sorry. If I hadn't been sure before about you, I am now."
"Look, the dinner is going to be moved up an hour or so. There is a line of storms forecast for this evening, so we want to speed things along to keep people safe."
"You still want me there?"
I wait a second before answering.
"Yeah. If wasn't for you, I wouldn't have met Will or made friends with Rick and Pete. They are the reason I became the man I am today. So, you deserve to be there." And it would look funny if you weren't.
"Just be quick. I don't want Sam to see you."
"Bye Chris."
I can almost hear him mouth 'love you.'
I get up, still shielding my eyes, and walk through the door to the hall, shutting the door behind me.
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