Epilogue

“And last but not least, Parker,” CJ called. There was a smile plastered on CJ’s and the boy’s faces as the youngster came up to collect the new soccer kit. The fact that it was partly because of him warmed Eric’s heart.

CJ handed over the kit and turned to Eric. He looked so proud. “Thank you.”

Eric pulled him into a brief hug. CJ must have thanked him a hundred times in the last month. “You got the sponsors.”

“Maybe, but without you, it wouldn’t have even mattered.” CJ surveyed the group of children who were excitedly admiring their new kit. Johnson’s Farm had come through, sponsored the center, and instigated the start of a soccer league with other youth projects and some schools in the neighboring towns. All part of its push on nutrition and healthy living. CJ was excited and Eric was excited for him.

Clapping his hands, CJ called for attention. “Okay, guys and girls. We have our first game in two weeks so training starts now. Sharny and Dexter are in charge of you today. Are we ready?”

“Yeah,” the children cheered together.

The adults in the room applauded encouragingly, before Dexter called the group to him and headed outside with Sharny.

Standing together, Eric reached out for CJ’s hand and smiled as the man took it. He was going to miss this when he headed for Vancouver. Artie had been in touch. There was an offer of a TV show if he wanted it. One condition—he stayed sober. Squeezing CJ’s hand, he felt confident he would succeed. He had the most people in his life and more support than he had had in years, and it meant more to him than he could ever explain. Sure there were still times doubt prodded at the back of his mind. It was there to remind him he could just as quickly mess everything up all over again if he gave into a drop of temptation.

“How long?” CJ asked.

“Six weeks and four days,” Eric said. They had talked about what they were going to do once Eric left for Vancouver and he had reassured CJ that it wouldn’t be for long. The show was a thirteen episode gig, spanning four months.

CJ nodded. After lengthy conversations, they had both reached the same conclusion. They, as a couple, could and would work. Yes, Eric was going to be away, but it wasn’t forever and they lived in an age of video phones and the internet. Eric had stuck around for the last month. He had shared CJ’s bed and he had no intention of leaving it for longer than he had to.

“I’ll be back before you know it.”

“I know.” CJ turned around and looked up at Eric. His eyes shone brightly as he planted a kiss on Eric’s mouth.

“What was that for?” Eric asked.

CJ simply smiled at him.

He couldn’t believe it had been a month already. Everything just seemed so easy and sometimes he even dared to imagine the last seven years had been nothing more than a bad dream. For the first time in a long time, he was happy. He wasn’t drinking. He wasn’t sleeping around. He actually felt good about himself and the future, and damn if it didn’t all feel a little strange.

“So, tonight?” CJ said, breaking the quiet moment between them. “Jodie said they’d pick us up at eight.”

Eric pressed his lips in a line. Who would have ever thought it? Him and CJ on a double date with Jodie and Rob. “Okay.”

CJ continued to hold Eric’s hand. “I’m glad you two are getting along. It means a lot.”

Jodie wasn’t so bad. In fact, they’d found a common ground—wanting the best for CJ. They both cared deeply about the man—her brother and his lover. But they also shared something else. She had become his sponsor. His someone to go to if ever he felt like he needed to reach out for a drink, and for that he was grateful. It had built a little trust between the two of them and made it clear neither had any intention of hurting CJ.

“I’m looking forward to it.” He honestly was. He had six weeks before he headed away to start shooting the series and he intended to make the most of it.

“So, we doing this?” CJ asked as he zipped up his jacket.

Eric grinned. “Sure.” He pulled CJ into a hug and kissed him.

“I haven’t been to the market fair in years.” CJ escaped Eric’s hold and headed toward the exit. “I think the last time was with you.”

Eric followed behind him and tried to remember when CJ was talking about. It must have been the summer CJ turned sixteen and they’d eaten cotton candy and made out on the Ferris wheel. That had been before he had messed everything up. He stopped CJ by the arm, waiting for him to turn around. He met CJ’s eyes and it was as if CJ knew exactly how he felt.

“Time to make new memories,” CJ said. “Better memories.” He took Eric by the hand and pushed open the door.

Fresh air surrounded them and Eric felt lighter. New memories. He could do that. He watched CJ walk around the car to the driver’s side. He stopped and met Eric’s eyes across the roof of the car.

“Ready?”

Eric nodded and looked up at the bright blue sky. With CJ, he was ready for anything. He was ready to live and do so with his head held high.

Getting in the car, he looked at CJ. CJ didn’t say anything but raised Eric’s hand to his mouth and gently pressed a kiss to it. Eric relaxed into the passenger seat, resting his arm on the side of the door as he gazed at the center. So much had changed for him in the last month. He was happy and in love. He just wished he could have been braver a long time ago. Looking back at CJ, he smiled.

Better late than never.

“I’m ready,” he said. Ready to be a better man. And ready to be the man CJ deserved to love and in turn have love him.