We hung up, and I sat there thinking about Nate and how different the last two weeks had been for us. I'd stayed exactly the same on the outside, but he'd quit his job, found a new one, and he was considering moving to God knows where, and I might never see him again.

A dull ache filled my chest, making it hard to breathe. Could that really happen? No. Of course not. He was one of my sister's best friends. If nothing else, I'd see him through her.

The ache sharpened at the thought of what that would mean. I'd see Nate at something like Liv's eventual wedding, where he'd have a date.

Some handsome new guy—Nate was too gorgeous for anything less. He'd have to be kind and smart for Nate to be with him. The jerk would probably even be funny and love to exercise for fun, like Nate.

They'd be perfect for each other. Especially since that guy wouldn't be afraid to be seen with him in public.

Sweat beaded along my forehead, and I realized I was panting. My vision swam. Leaning forward, I held my head between my knees and worked to even my breathing and blood pressure.

Opening my eyes, I stared at the beige patterned carpet. Pretending to be someone else was killing me, and the idea of losing Nate forever was too much. I couldn't let that happen. It was time to rip off the Band-Aid and tell Mr. Harrison I'm gay.

The decision caused a swarm of emotions to swirl through me—fear and nervousness top among them, but under all the negativity, a bright spot grew, filling me with the warmth of freedom. My career and the security that came with it was suddenly nothing compared to the thought of being with Nate, holding his hand and standing beside him anywhere he wanted to go.

Excitement bubbled to the surface, making me grin as I reached for my phone and called Nate. I couldn't stand another minute without speaking to him.

"Joby? Hi." The soft rasp of Nate's voice was heavy with tension that made my heart race.

"Hi, Nate." I closed my eyes and let my head fall back on the couch, a strange relief flowing through me.

"Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, things are fine. I just..." Wanted to hear your voice. Ache without you. Need you. "I just miss you."

He made a breathy sound I struggled to interpret, and said, "Joby, I've missed you too, so much, but—"

My heart squeezed in my chest. "But what?"

"I can't do this. I've been clear about what I need and you're not ready for that. I understand, but as long as I'm around you—" He sighed. "That's why I had to leave the wedding. Don't you get it?"

"Of course. You were mad at me and you have every right to be."

"No. I left because if I'd stayed, I'd have felt like shit about myself, but I'd have ignored that to be with you because you mean that much to me. I'd have made myself smaller and smaller until we could fit in the closet together, and maybe it'd be mostly fine, but I don't want that. I want someone who's proud to be with me, not ashamed."

His words hit like a physical blow, and I wiped the tears from my eyes. "I'm so sorry, Nate. I was never ashamed to be with you. You're perfect, everything about you. And I never meant to hide you. I just wasn't ready to be seen."

"Same thing. And I'm sorry too. We should've talked after the wedding. I just couldn't take the idea of making things final."

"No, Nate. No. Nothing's final." I sniffed and tried to steady my voice. "I called to tell you I've decided to tell Mr. Harrison I'm gay."

"What? Really? But what if he uses that thing in your contract about representing them appropriately to fire you? He could make up any unrelated reason."

"I know, but I don't care."

"So, you're telling him tomorrow?"

"No, he'll be here Thursday. I'll tell him in person."

"You've been planning this, then?"

"Well, no. I was talking to Liv before I called you, and I realized this was what I wanted."

Nate was quiet for so long I thought we'd lost connection, but then he said, "You've only been thinking about doing this for a few minutes then?"

"Yeah, I guess." Why did it matter?

"That's a major decision, and it doesn't seem like you've given yourself time to think it through."

I scoffed. "I've been thinking it through for years. This feels right."

"Then I'm happy for you, Joby. And I'm not trying to rain on your parade, but the last two weeks have really sucked. It's never been like this with any other break up and honestly, it's not getting any better. I can't put myself out there again for words. You said things would change before, and nothing happened."

"Yeah, but this is different."

"I hope so. Call me when you're ready to prove you're done hiding."

"Give me until Thursday, and I'll take you anywhere you want to go."

"It was nice hearing your voice." Sadness coated Nate's words, and it felt like goodbye, but I'd show him I could be the man he deserved.

"I'll call Thursday. We'll go out to dinner."

"Bye, Joby."

The call ended, and even though it didn't go as I'd hoped, it'd given me even more reason to go through with my plan. This Thursday, I'd be out at work or fired. Either way, I'd take Nate on a date anywhere he wanted to go, as long as it was in public, and I'd tell him how much I love him.

Thanks for reading! 💜