Love Without Boundaries - Chapter 3: Chapter 3

Grant pulled up into Preston’s driveway. He was about to get out of the car when the front door opened and Preston came out. Preston opened the car door and got in; and fastened his seatbelt.
“Hello love, I was going to meet you at the door.” Grant said as he leaned in to kiss him on the lips but Preston pulled away.
“Hi.” Preston said as he smiled nervously at him.
“So what are we going to do today? Oh and by the way I have to be back here at seven for dinner, but until then I am all yours.”  Preston added nervously. Grant notice he was acting funny.
“What’s wrong you’re acting funny?” Grant asked.
“Nothing is wrong and I am not acting funny. I am fine can we go now.”  Preston said as he looked back at his house.
Grant guessed he was worried someone might see him kissing another guy. He did not know why he was so worried. He had a car with dark tinted windows. There was no way anyone could see into  his car. Why didn’t he let him meet him at the door like a proper boyfriend? Was he ashamed of him? Was he afraid he was going to tell his family he was gay? He couldn’t understand the change in him from yesterday. He was upset, but he just put the car into gear and took off. Ten minutes passed before Preston finally said something.
“I am sorry; I didn’t mean to blow you off like that.” Preston said as he went for Grant’s hand but he stopped when he saw the look on Grant’s face. His bight brown eyes had gone dark; his lips were thin and frown lines ran deep in his forehead. He was mad, not just mad he was clearly furious .
“Grant I am sorry, I did not mean to do that. I just …. I do not know what I am trying to say.” Preston said waiting for Grant to reply. He still had not said a word or moved. He just kept looking at the road, as if he was in deep thought.
“Grant will you please say something?” Preston asked.
He still said nothing, but he pulled into an empty parking lot. Grant put the car in park; got out of the car and was pacing around the car. After a couple of minutes, Preston got out of the car.  He grabbed Grant’s arm to stop and asked him,
“What the hell are you doing?” Grant yanked his arm out of Preston’s grip and looked at him. All the warmth was gone from his eyes, nothing but cold brown eyes looked back at Preston. He took a step toward Preston and said,
“What am I doing? Better question is what are you doing?”  Preston looked at him; he had never seen this side of Grant before.
“What the hell are you talking about?” Preston asked.
Grant took a step back from Preston. He ran his fingers through his hair and turned his back on Preston. Then he said,
“Why were you so worried  that someone would see me kissing you? Why did you rush out of your house so quickly? Why didn’t you let me greet you at the door and meet your family like a proper boyfriend should?” He heard footsteps behind him. He  felt Preston’s arms snake around his waist.
“ I told you I have not told my family yet; it just isn’t the right time right now.” Preston said.
Grant removed Preston’s arms from his waist. He turned around to face him.
“Come on Preston, do not lie to me! There is more to the story that you are not telling me. Tell me the real reason you wanted me to come for you.”  Grant yelled at him. Preston eyes started to water, Grant had never raised his voice at him before.
“Grant you do not understand, I can not tell my family I am gay right now.” Preston said through his sobs.
“Why is that?” Grant asked.
“My cousin Xavier is going to ask his girlfriend to marry him tomorrow night. I didn’t want to ruin his special night.” Preston said.
Grant knew there was more, but it didn’t look like he was going to tell him more.
“When do you plan on telling them? Grant asked.
“I don’t know.” Preston replied.
“So where does that leave me?”
“What do you mean?” asked Preston.
“Am I just going to be your dirty little secret, keep me hidden from everyone? What are you going to do when school starts huh?  We can’t be together there either, especially if your cousins are going to the same college.” Grant replied.
“You’re not my dirty little secret, I love you and I want to be with you. I just need time to tell them. Give me one month to tell them.” Preston said.
Grant didn’t know what to say, he knew it wasn’t easy coming out to your family. Maybe he just needs time alone to figure out his thoughts. He will give him the time and space he needs.  He figured that with the pressure off it would make it easier for Preston.
“Ok one month is what you have, but I don’t want to see you until then.” Grant said.
“What do you mean you don’t want to see me? Are you breaking up with me?” Preston asked.
“No I don’t want to break up with you. I just think you need this time alone to think and figure out how to come out to your family.” Grant said. He looked at Preston and saw that he wasn’t happy with what he told him.
“Ok that’s fair.” Preston said.
“If you want I can take you back home.” Grant said.
“No that’s ok just drop me off at the mall. I can call for a ride later.” They got back into the car without another word. By the time, Grant pulled up to the Galleria mall, Preston was ready to get out of the car. As soon as Grant stopped the car, Preston got out.
“Preston just remember if you need anything I’m here for you.” Grant said.
“I know, I’ll call you when I tell them.” Preston said as he closed the door.
Preston walked straight toward the food court. He grabbed a pretzel and a soda from Auntie Anne’s Pretzels. He found an empty table and sat down. He was feeling really down. He had brought his journal and decided to write in it.. Writing was his way of expressing his feelings without showing them. He had been writing for about ten minutes when he sensed someone standing in front of him. When he looked up to see who it was, he saw a guy who looked like he was about his age. He had the most beautiful hazel eyes with a killer smile and nice thick dark brown hair. His skin was a nice light olive color with a muscular build. He was very good-looking. Tall, dark and handsome were always the qualities Preston dreamed of having in a boyfriend. He was very different then Grant, not that there was anything wrong with Grant. Preston thought he should probably stop staring and say something, but it took him a minute or two to gather is thoughts together and say something.
“Yes can I help you with something?” Preston asked as he stared at him again.
“I didn’t mean to intrude, but I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind sharing this table with me?  The guy asked. All the other tables are taken.”
“Um sure, sit down. I’m Preston by the way.” He said as he held his hand out to shake.
“I’m Robert,” the guy said when he shook Preston’s hand.
The moment their hands touch Preston felt a spark between them. He had never felt that before, not even with Grant. Preston started to wonder if he was gay too. Wait ,what was he thinking he had a boyfriend.  He needed to push that nonsense out of his head. He decided to go back to his writing and try to clear his head. Five minutes had passed and Preston could feel like someone was staring at him.
“A penny for you thoughts,” Robert asked Preston.
“What?” Preston said.
“Oh didn’t mean to interrupt, it’s just you look like you have a lot on your mind. I have always found it to be therapeutic to talk to someone about my problems.” Robert said.
“Oh well yeah I do, but I don’t want to bother you with my problems.” Preston said.
“I don’t mind, you look like you need to get it off your chest.” Robert said.
“Well I just moved back home after being away for so long. I met the most amazing guy ever while I went backpacking through Europe; but I have not told my family that I am gay. When I told him that I hadn’t told my family; we ended up getting into an argument. So now we are on a break, until I tell my family that I’m gay.” Preston didn’t know what Robert was thinking.  He couldn’t believe how completely comfortable he felt talking to a complete stranger about his problems. . They said in silence for a few minutes.  Preston started to worry.  Why hasn’t he said anything? What if Robert was a homophobe?  What if I made him uncomfortable?  Robert  stared at Preston with a confused look on his face.
“I knew I should have not said anything. You know I think I should go.  It was nice meeting you Robert.” Preston said as he got up and grabbed his stuff.
“Wait, sorry I didn’t mean to look at you like you did something wrong. I was just trying to hear everything. You rather said everything fast.  I was trying making sure I gather all my thoughts together before I said anything.” Robert chuckled.
“Sorry I tend to speak fast when I am nervous.” Preston laughed nervously.
“So you’re gay and you haven’t told your family yet. Wow, that has to be tough. Why haven’t you told them yet?  Do you think your family won’t approve of your choice?” Robert asked as he took a drink of his soda.
“I don’t know and that’s what scares me. I love my family and I don’t think I could live without them in my life.” Preston said.
“This is how I see it; you got two choices; first one is that you tell them and risk losing your family or second the choice is you don’t tell them and you lose your boyfriend. However, to tell you the truth if I were your boyfriend I wouldn’t make you tell your families until you are ready.  It’s pretty clear that you’re not ready to tell them yet.” Robert said.
Preston just stared at him. Who was this guy and how could he be so understanding?  He still didn’t know if Robert was gay, and he didn’t give off a vibe as most gay people do. He wondered if he should come out and ask him. However, if he isn’t, then he would just make a fool of himself.
“I guess you have a point there, maybe I’ll talk to him later and tell him I’m just not ready.” Preston said.
“Well I don’t want to cause problems between you and your boyfriend.”
“No your not, I need him to know I can’t rush this. Not everyone can be like him. His family didn’t approve so he did away with his family. He hasn’t talked to them in years. I don’t want to be like that. He can be bitter sometimes.” Preston said.
“Well I’m glad I could be of some help.” Robert said.
“Well I better get going; I have to be home to meet my family for dinner. It was nice meeting you Robert.” Preston said as he got up to leave.
“It was nice to meet you as well. I hope things work out for you.” Robert said as he smiled at him.
“Thanks I hope so too. Well bye hope to see you again soon.” Preston said. He was about to leave when Robert called him back.
”Hey Preston here is my number if you ever need to talk.” He handed Preston a slip of paper with his number.
“Oh ok, thanks here is mine; just so you know who is calling you.” Preston tore a piece of paper from his journal and wrote his number for Robert..
“Bye Preston” Robert said. Preston grabbed his stuff and left. He still had time before he had to be home so he decided to take the bus instead of a cab. The day had started bad but it looked like it might end on a good note. Now he just had to go home and try to act normal in front of his family.