Love Without Boundaries - Chapter 2: Chapter 2

The next morning Preston woke up from a terrible night of sleep; never had he tossed and turned so much. He sat up on his bed while he stretched his tight sore muscles. He looked at the clock on his nightstand and couldn't believe it was only six in the morning. He still had a few hours before Grant came to pick him up. He got up and changed so he could go shoot some hoops to pass the time until his family woke up.
When he stepped outside the sky was still dark with the sun barely rising in the horizon. The air felt hot and humid already. He picked up the ball and started to shoot hoops. He had been shooting the ball for about ten minutes and  had managed to miss every shot. He had never missed that many shots before. His head was truly not into it right now. He threw the ball and it bounced off the backboard. When he turned around to get the ball, he saw Xavier behind him.
“Wow I have never seen you suck this bad.” Xavier said as he tossed him back the ball.
“Yeah I know. What are you doing up so early?” Preston asked as he tried another shot, but missed.
“I always go for a jog early in the morning.” He said as he took a shot and made it in.
“Of course you wouldn’t know about that; you have not been home in the last four years.” Xavier added. Preston took the ball from him and took another shot, but missed.
“Dang it, yeah I know I have been away too long. But hey I am here now, so you can stop crying for me.” Preston said.
“Don’t get so full of yourself; I did not miss you that much.” Xavier said as he got Preston into a headlock.
“Oh come on Zay let me go your messing up my hair.” Preston said as he tried to get out of his grip.
“Sure I’ll let you go when you say the magic word.” Xavier said as he tightens his grip around Preston’s neck.
“Zay I don’t remember the magic word. Come on it has been four years since I had to use the magic word.” Preston whined.
“I know that’s the whole point, but if you can answer this one question I will let you go.” He said.
“Ok what is it?”
“Who is the greatest person here?”
“Oh for god sakes really, you are going to make me say that?”
“Oh yes dear little bro I am.”
“Ah ok, Xavier you are the greatest person ever. Without you, the world has no meaning. There are you happy now?” Preston replied.
“Yes I am happy, thank you very much for the complement Preston.” He said as he let Preston go.
“Jeez have you been working out? I thought you were going to make my head pop off with your death grip.” Preston said as he rubbed the back of his neck.
“Nice of you to notice, I have been hitting the gym lately.”  He said as he flexed his biceps in Preston’s face.
“When did you turn into such a meathead?” Preston asked.
“Hey just cause I go to the gym does not make me a meathead. I just want to have a healthy lifestyle.”
Preston stood there looking at Xavier. He has never known Xavier to be so worried about his health. He used to be able to put away a whole large pizza by himself. Therefore, what could have changed his unhealthy ways? Then it hit him, it had to be Cynthia. That would explain why he had cut his hair short and was dressing differently as well.
“So I see Cynthia has got you whipped. Why else would you change your ways?”
“If you must know, yes she is the reason for my new healthy lifestyle.”
Preston could tell he was really in love with her. His eyes would brighten up every time he spoke about her.
“You really love her don’t you?” Preston asked.
“You have no idea how much I love her. In fact I am planning on asking her to marry me.” Xavier said.
“Wow I thought I would never see the day Xavier Shaw would fall head over heels for a girl.” Preston said.
“Little bro one day you will know what it is like to fall for a girl that you cannot live without.” Xavier said.
Preston looked at the floor and said, “I highly doubt that.” “Come on bro why you are thinking negatively, you will find that one girl some day. No need to rush into it, you’re still young.”
Preston felt guilty for not telling Xavier the truth. He needed him to stop talking about  finding the right girl. He knew it was never going to happen. The longer he kept  talking the more he felt guilty.
“So when do you plan on popping the question?” Preston asked.
“I am going to ask her tomorrow at dinner with the family.  I hope you don’t mind, I just wanted all the family to be there when I asked her.”
“I see, that way she can’t say no to you in front of the family. That is pretty sneaky bro and no, I do not mind. I am truly happy for you and I hope she says yes.” Preston now was thinking that telling them tonight or tomorrow wouldn’t be a good idea. He did not want to ruin Xavier’s surprise for Cynthia; he would have to do it some other time.
“Thanks I know she will say yes. She has been dropping hints she wants to go to the next step.” He said.
“So can I see the ring?” Preston asked.
“I would but I don’t have it on me, I left it with the jeweler so it could be engraved, I won’t get it back until later today.” Xavier explained.
“Who helped you pick it out? Ann Marie is not here and you can not pick out a ring if your life depended on it.” Preston said as he punched him in the arm.
“Ha ha ha very funny, if you must know I asked mom to help me.” Xavier said.
Knowing that Xavier had asked their mom must have sent her over the moon. Preston knew that she has been waiting for the day she gets to help with one of her children with their wedding. Preston also wondered what was going through Xavier’s mind. He knew that Xavier and Ann Marie have and will always consider Preston’s parents as their own parents. He did not know if it saddens Xavier to know his parents are not going to be at his wedding. Preston wanted to ask him how he was feeling about not having his parents here for his special day.
Not a day goes by that Xavier doesn’t think about how life is unfair at times, but he is grateful to have an aunt and uncle who took them in and accepted them as their own.  Xavier looked at Preston.  His eyes were filled with sadness.
“I know what you’re thinking about; the answer is yes. I am sad that my parents are not here to share this special day with me.” Xavier said. Preston could see his eyes water. Preston knew it could not have been easy on them to lose both their parents.
“Hey I did not mean to bring up unpleasant things.” Preston said softly.
Xavier wiped away his eyes with the back of his hand. He cleared his throat and said “Don’t worry about it bro. it was bound to come up eventually.” He patted Preston shoulder to let him know he was all right.
“Hey come on lets go inside, I am pretty sure mom is up getting breakfast ready. If I am not mistaken I do believe I smell bacon.” Xavier said. Preston was glad that Xavier didn’t let things keep him down for long.
“Hey what happen to your healthy eating habit?”
“Hey I can still have bacon, when Cynthia is not around.”
“Ha I knew it you are whipped!”
“Whatever bro come on I will race you inside.” With that, Xavier was off. Preston thought that maybe he shouldn’t come out at all. He wondered if he could really keep his secret from his family?  How long could he keep his family from knowing he was gay? He knew he couldn’t keep it from them much longer and it would only make him miserable. What would Grant say if he didn’t tell his family? He didn’t know if it would bother him, but it wouldn’t be fair to Grant. He cared a lot for him; he did not want to hide him from his family. He just had to tell them, but not tonight. Maybe when he leaves for college in a month, he can tell them then.
When Xavier and Preston walked inside the kitchen, their mom and dad were already eating breakfast.
“We were wondering when you guys were coming in. You two sure do know how to wake people up.” Their dad said after he took a sip of coffee.
“Sorry”, they said.
“Well what are your plans for today?” their mom asked.
“We could go to the movies and then have lunch at Cuban Sandwich Express.  After that we can pick up Ann Marie and have a cook out, just like we use too.” Xavier said.
“Well I kind of have plans already.” Preston said.
“Preston you just got back, what could be more important then spending time with your family.” His dad asked.
“I know dad, it’s just that one of my friends from Westminster lives here. I had told him I would hangout with him  once I got back. I will meet ya’ll for dinner here, but please just let me hangout with my friend.” Preston pleaded to his parents. He went as far as to give them his sad puppy dog eyes.
“Stop it Preston, you can go hangout with your friend, but we want you back here at seven no later.” His dad said.
“Thanks dad you’re the best, and I promise tomorrow will be family time all day.” Preston said as he hugged his dad.
“Ok now get out of here before I change my mind.” His dad chuckled.
Preston went upstairs to call Grant. He dialed his number and waited for him to answer.
“Hello my love, to what do I owe this pleasure of hearing your voice?” Grant asked.
“Could you be anymore cheesier? The reason I was called was to see if you could come for me?” Preston asked.
“Yeah sure, I will be there in about forty minutes. See you soon my love.” Grant said.
Preston hung up the phone. He used this time to get ready. He thought that maybe talking to Grant would help him come up with an idea on how he could come out to his family. He just needed time alone with Grant to help him calm his nerves. One way or another he knew he had to tell them, but it was not going to happen anytime soon.