THANKS to Benny’s tutoring, Taylor’s grades showed a marked improvement. Where before he had been a B- student, he now moved into the B+ range and even flirted with A- on occasion. Even with the extra work he did volunteering, he was able to keep his promise to Benny and made sure his schoolwork came first. His teachers were very pleased with his progress and mentioned it to him often. He thanked them, but then made sure to tell them Benny was the one who’d been helping him. The teachers were quite impressed with the success and asked Benny if he would be willing to tutor some other students. Benny was on top of the world, even if it meant less free time for him.
Promptly at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, Kevin rang Taylor’s doorbell. When he answered he found the young man standing outside, a single yellow rose clutched in his hand. Kevin smiled and held it out to Taylor. Taylor blushed hard and accepted the flower.
“The lady at the florist told me a yellow rose signifies joy, gladness, friendship, delight, promise of a new beginning, and says ‘remember me’. I figure all of those things are important and really wanted you to have it.”
“It’s pretty,” Taylor said, taking a light sniff.
“Not half as pretty as you, babe,” Kevin said, grinning. “You ready to go?”
“Yeah, I’m ready. Thanks for picking me up.”
Kevin waggled his eyebrows. “That’s what I was trying to do at the dance. Glad to see it worked.”
Taylor laughed. He found Kevin charming and funny and, okay, fine, a little sexy.
The museum was pretty crowded, with people gathering to admire the Cleopatra exhibit on loan from Egypt. Kevin led Taylor by the hand to several exhibits, stopping at them long enough to give Taylor a bit of information about each one. As they rounded the corner in a darkened area, Kevin leaned over, gave Taylor a quick kiss, and squeezed his hand. Then it was off to the next exhibit. They ran around for hours, checking out the newer areas, visiting the Cleopatra display and being completely captivated by it, and sneaking kisses whenever they had the opportunity. Taylor noticed Kevin seemed to enjoy touching him, holding hands, touching his shoulder, rubbing against him. He was really enjoying the attention. After a quick lunch, they decided to head out.
“Oh God, that was fun,” Taylor said, laughing. “That old lady in the rocking chair? She’s still just as creepy as ever.” He cringed jokingly.
“I know, right! Thanks for coming with me, Taylor. I’m having a great time.”
“Same. I’m really enjoying being here with you,” he said as they got into the car.
Kevin put his hand on Taylor’s leg, leaned over, and kissed him hard. Taylor opened his mouth to the kiss and noticed Kevin tasted of peppermint.
“Why don’t you come over to my house?” Kevin asked. “We can watch a movie or something.”
“Yeah, I’d like that.”
When they arrived at Kevin’s house, Taylor was damn impressed. The house was a large colonial style, with white siding and black trim, surrounded by an expertly manicured lawn. As they entered the foyer, Taylor gawked at the salmon-colored walls adorned with exquisite landscape paintings he thought he could just lose himself in. He looked at them closely and was surprised to see that they were all original artworks, not reproductions. They must have cost a fortune to collect. He was completely immersed in them when Kevin shut the door and stepped closer to him.
“You smell nice,” he said, bringing his mouth near Taylor’s ear. He flicked his tongue out just enough to lick the lobe. Taylor shivered.
“Liked that, did ya?” Kevin said with obvious delight. He pressed in closer, nibbling on Taylor’s neck. “Why don’t you come up to my room?” he asked, grabbing Taylor by the hand, encouraging him to follow Kevin up the large staircase.
“Holy crap, this is your room?”
Taylor looked around. A large four-poster bed, covered with a dark blue comforter, dominated the center of the room; an entertainment center with a flat-screen television stood against the wall nearby. A cherry desk, complete with an Apple computer, was set flush against the far wall. Everything was so clean and well organized Taylor just had to mention it.
“Yeah, it’s okay. We’ve got a maid who keeps everything nice and neat,” Kevin said. “C’mere.”
Kevin pulled Taylor against his body, moving his mouth over Taylor’s. Kevin ran his hands across Taylor’s back, moving up and down, brushing against his ass. Taylor closed his eyes and melted into the kiss. His stomach fluttered. He couldn’t believe how nervous he was. He’d thought about being kissed so many times, but now that it was actually happening, he wasn’t sure what to do with himself. When Kevin put his hands on Taylor’s face, pulling him deeper into the kiss, Taylor groaned as Kevin’s tongue flicked against his lips. Taylor shivered when Kevin sucked at his tongue. Breaking away, Kevin started nipping at Taylor’s neck, pressing his obvious erection into Taylor’s leg. He grabbed Taylor’s ass and began massaging the cheeks.
Taylor stiffened and pulled back. “What are you doing?”
“Oh come on, you know you want it too,” he said with a leer.
Taylor took a few steps back, holding up his hands. “Kevin, I’m not really comfortable with this. I don’t want to do this.”
“Yeah, you do. Stop playing around,” he said, grabbing at Taylor’s arm, digging his nails into the soft flesh.
“Look, I said no,” Taylor nearly shouted, yanking his arm away. “I think this might not have been a very good idea. I’m gonna go ahead and go home. I’ll talk to you later, okay?”
Kevin glared at him, fury in his eyes. “You’re a fucking tease, Taylor. You can’t be turning me on all day, then come here and say no.”
Heat flashed through Taylor’s body. He gave Kevin an icy stare and snapped, “I didn’t do anything to turn you on. You know what? Whatever, I’m out of here.”
Taylor took a step toward the door. He didn’t even notice the fist coming at his face until it slammed into his eye. He fell back onto the floor, writhing in pain.
“You’re a bitch, Taylor! Fucking tease!” Kevin screamed, kicking Taylor in the ribs.
Taylor tried to scramble away. His ribs hurt like they were on fire. Kevin made a grab for him, but Taylor pushed him back, causing Kevin to fall to the floor and giving Taylor the chance to get to his feet. He staggered to the stairs, his breath ragged. God it hurt to breathe. He stumbled through the foyer and out the door. He tried to run from the house but could only limp along. His side and face were throbbing, his eye hurt, and he was humiliated. He could hear Kevin screaming his name, but he refused to stop. After he’d gotten several blocks from the house, he took out his cell and called Benny.
“Tay, how’s the date?”
“Worst date ever. Can you come get me?” he pleaded.
“I’m in the middle of a tutoring session. Can you give me a bit?”
Taylor started sobbing into the phone. “Benny, please. I really need you. Please?”
“Taylor? What’s wrong? Where are you?’
Taylor began gulping air. His skin was clammy, and his heart raced. He tried to concentrate on his breathing but couldn’t focus.
“Taylor!” Benny yelled sharply. “Where the hell are you?”
Taylor tried to answer but couldn’t speak. He dropped his phone, curled up on the grass, and sobbed. He wasn’t sure how long he lay there before he felt strong arms surrounding him, rubbing his back. He lurched up and began to flail, trying to escape from the grip, only to stop when he looked up and saw Benny’s face.
“Oh God, Tay, what happened? What happened to your face?” Benny asked, looking at the large bruises that were no doubt beginning to form around Taylor’s eye. He gently ran his fingers over the affected area, stopping when Taylor flinched.
Taylor turned and pressed his face into Benny’s chest and sobbed harshly. Benny said nothing else, just held on, stroking his head.
“It’ll be okay, Taylor. I promise you’re going to be all right. Just let it out. I’m here. I’ve got you,” Benny whispered softly to him.
When Taylor finally calmed down enough to speak, he told Benny what had happened.
“I’ll kill that son of a bitch, Tay. I swear to God he’s a dead man,” Benny snarled, his hands clenched tightly at his sides.
Taylor saw the rage on Benny’s face and shrank away from him. “Benny, no, please. Just take me home.”
The anger drained from Benny’s face. He tucked Taylor tightly to his body, and his voice broke when he said, “I really think you need to go to the hospital. Let them X-ray your ribs and check out your eye. It’s all bloodshot.” Benny reached out and traced the corner of Taylor’s eye.
“All I want is to go home and lay down. It doesn’t hurt much anymore, really,” Taylor replied wearily.
Benny helped Taylor to his feet, put his arms around him, and started moving him toward the car.
“How’d you find me, Benny?” Taylor asked as Benny practically carried him to the car.
Benny flushed. Taylor could tell his friend was nervous. “I… look, Tay, I had to call your folks. I told them I thought you were in trouble, and you called me for help. They used an app on the phone to find out where you were. I’m sorry, I couldn’t think of anything else to do.”
“S’okay, Benny. Thanks for coming to get me. I’m sorry I interrupted your tutor session,” Taylor said, tears once again forming in his eyes.
“Shut up, man. You’re one of the most important things in my life.” Benny’s voice turned angry once again. “I swear I’m gonna pound him. He never shoulda put his hands on you.”
“Just let it go, Benny. Promise me you’ll let it go?” Taylor pleaded.
“No, I’m not letting it go. I’m gonna kill him,” Benny declared, his voice hard and strained. Taylor hadn’t heard that tone since Benny had talked about Addy’s father.
“Benny, please. I really just want to forget this happened. I need you to let it go. I’m begging you, Benny, please don’t do anything. I don’t want you to get in trouble.”
Benny sighed as he opened the door and put Taylor into the car.
“This isn’t a good answer. We really should call the cops. He assaulted you! What’s to stop him from doing it to anyone else?” Benny spat out.
“I just can’t, Benny. I can’t deal with this.”
“Look, man, I don’t think it’s a good idea. He hurt you, and he could hurt someone else, but I can’t force you to do this. I won’t touch him, but you need to think this through.”
Taylor slumped against the seat. He doubted Benny was going to let it go, but he was glad his friend wasn’t going to act on his anger against Kevin. He’d think about what Benny said, but right now he just didn’t have the energy. He rested his head against the window, silent, trying not to think about Kevin until Benny got him home.
“Oh God, Taylor, what happened?” his mother asked as she rushed to the car.
“It’s okay, Mom. I’m okay.”
Benny took charge of the situation. “Mrs. Andrews, I’m going to put Taylor in his bed, okay? He needs some rest. Can you get him an icepack or something for his eye?”
“But what happened to him? What’s going on?”
Benny turned toward Mrs. Andrews. “We can talk about this later, okay? Taylor needs to lie down. Can you please just get him an icepack for his eye?” he asked. Taylor saw Benny scowl and could tell his friend was trying to stifle his anger.
Taylor’s mom hesitated for a moment.
“Honest, Mom,” Taylor promised, “I’m fine.”
“Mrs. Andrews, can we talk about this after I get him upstairs?” Benny pleaded.
Mrs. Andrews looked at her son, then to Benny. “Sure, I’ll meet you both upstairs.”
Benny helped Taylor up the stairs and laid him on the bed. “Look, you need to tell her. She’s worried.”
“I know. I was going to do it when she came upstairs. It’s not how I pictured it going, but I need to let her know,” Taylor said, resigned to the conversation.
His mom stepped into the room a few moments later.
“Mom, can you sit down a sec? I need to talk to you.” He waited as his mom sat near him. Benny moved toward the door. “Benny, would you stay? Please?” Taylor asked.
“Are you sure you want me to?” Benny replied, glancing over to Taylor.
“Yeah, Benny, it’s cool. Please stay.” Taylor’s gazed darted from his best friend to his mother. He closed his eyes and said the words he’d been hiding for so many years. “Mom, I’m gay.”
For a moment silence reigned. Then he heard his mom sniffle. The mattress moved when she sat, slid over, and took him into her arms.
“Oh, baby, thank you for telling me. You don’t know how glad I am you finally trusted me.”
“You… knew?”
“Yes, Taylor, your dad and I figured it out a while ago, but we wanted you to be the one to tell us. I know how hard it must have been, but I’m so grateful you told me. Now, please tell me what happened today.”
Taylor sighed and recounted the story to his mother. She was nearly as angry as Benny.
“Mom, I don’t want to deal with this, please. I just want to let it go.”
“Taylor Aaron Andrews, you listen to me,” his mother said sharply. “If you let him get away with this, the next person might not be so lucky. What do you think will happen if you find out he seriously hurt someone? How do you think that’ll make you feel?”
“Mom, it’s going to be my word against his. From the looks of his house, his folks have money. And what do I say? He hit me? That’s hardly going to be a crime. Kids have fights all the time.”
His mother glared at him but slumped her shoulders when she saw how adamant he was. “Taylor, this is a bad idea, but I can’t make you do anything if you don’t want to.”
THAT evening at dinner they told Taylor’s father everything. He reacted pretty much the same as everyone else: angry, frustrated. He took Taylor’s phone and dialed Kevin’s number, despite Taylor’s pleading. His voice was harsh as he lit into whoever was on the other end of the phone. When he hung up, his face was flushed with anger.
“Dad, what’s the matter?”
“That little son of a bitch laughed and hung up on me,” he growled.
“Dad, I’m letting it go. I don’t want to face him. I don’t want to deal with him.”
“Taylor, I know you’re upset. I know he hurt you. I understand your feelings, and I’ll respect your wishes, but I hate that he’s going to get away with this.”
“I’m sorry, Dad, I just can’t face him. I thought he liked me, really. I thought I could like him, but I didn’t want him. He’s not the one I—” Taylor stopped when he realized what he was about to say.
Taylor turned away from his family, his eyes filling with tears. Benny pulled up a chair and sat down beside him and began rubbing Taylor’s back, something he’d often done to help Taylor calm down.
“Mom, Dad, can I talk to Benny alone, please?”
“Sure, Taylor. We’ll be in the living room if you need us, okay?” his mother replied.
Taylor nodded. His parents stood and made their way into the other room.
“He’s not the one, Benny,” Taylor said softly. “When Kevin started to touch me, I tried to think about him. But when he started grinding against me, I got scared. He’s not the one I wanted, and I wasn’t ready to give him what he was asking for.”
“You listen to me, Taylor. He wasn’t asking you for something. He was trying to take it from you. I know I made a joke out of it the other day, but you shouldn’t ever do something just because. You made the right choice, Tay, I swear. I’m just sorry you got hurt.”
Benny gathered him up in his arms again, pulled back, and inspected his bruised face. “You’re gonna look like crap in the morning. It’s a good thing you’re more than just another pretty face,” Benny said, trying to force a smile.
Taylor studied Benny. He could see the muscles in Benny’s jaw tighten like he could barely contain himself. “Benny, remember your promise. Just let it go,” Taylor said quietly.
Benny gave a curt nod. “Are you going to be okay, Taylor? I have to work up a lesson plan tonight and really should get going.”
“Yeah, Benny. Thank you for today. I didn’t know who else to call.”
Benny grabbed his shoulders and peered into his eyes. “You will always call me, Tay. We’re going to be there for each other, right?” Benny said, pulling Taylor into a quick hug.
“Yeah,” Taylor said, sniffling. “You know we are.”
Benny grabbed his keys and headed out the door. Taylor walked into the living room and found his parents in animated conversation. When they saw him, they stopped talking.
“You guys know I’m seventeen now, right?” he asked.
His parents regarded him curiously.
“When I was a kid and you guys had an argument, you’d always stop talking when I walked in. I kinda know you’re doing it again,” he said, chuckling.
“We’re not arguing, Taylor,” his father started and ran his fingers through his hair. “We’re trying to understand the situation. What did you mean when you said this boy wasn’t the one? Is there someone else?”
Taylor sighed. He really didn’t want to talk about this with his parents. All he wanted to do was go upstairs and climb under the blankets and just forget this whole mess. “Jackson Kern,” he finally said. “He’s the pitcher on our baseball team. I’ve liked him since the moment I saw him, but he’s going out with Becca Monroe, the cheerleader from school.”
“So he’s not gay? Taylor, this Kevin hurt you physically,” his mother said, with obvious disgust. “Obsessing over a straight guy is going to hurt you emotionally.”
“You think I haven’t thought of that, Mom?” Taylor said, agitated. “You think I don’t realize how much it hurts? When I tried to talk to him, I found out he thinks I’m disgusting. Yet I can’t help the way I feel. I try not to like him, but it just doesn’t work out like that. I see him, you know? He’s so confident. He’s so willing to put others ahead of himself. It’s like he’s so damn noble, but somehow the thought of me disgusts him. I don’t get it. It’s like he’s two completely different people… and, yeah, it hurts, Mom.”
He turned and ran up to his room, slammed the door, and threw himself on the bed. After a few minutes, he heard a hesitant knock.
“Taylor? Can I come in?”
“Sure, Mom,” he said with a sniffle.
The door opened and his mother strode across the floor, sat on the bed, and pulled him into a hug. “Honey, I’m sorry. We didn’t mean to upset you. We’re not really sure how to be there for you.”
“You are, Mom, believe me. I was really surprised when you told me you knew I was gay, and I’m so glad you’re okay about it. Becca knows, too, I think. And I think she would try to use it against me if she thought I would try to get between her and Jackson.” Taylor gave a slight shiver at the thought. “I was afraid to tell you, but I was more afraid of you finding out from someone else and being upset or disappointed in me.”
“Oh, Taylor, you’re too damn emotional for your own good,” she said with a sniff.
“Yeah,” Taylor laughed, “can’t imagine where that comes from.”
“Taylor, please listen to me carefully. I need you to hear these words because they’re very, very important. Your father and I love you. We always have. We always will. Gay or straight, you will always be our son, and we will always be proud of you,” she said emphatically. “Don’t let others choose the kind of person you’re going to be. Don’t let this Becca girl use something like this against you. You have always been there for everyone else. Stand up and be proud of yourself for a change. Take that power away from her.”
She kissed him on the head and left the room, quietly closing the door behind her. Taylor lay back on the bed and pondered her words for a while until he fell asleep.
MONDAY morning he entered the school and hurried to homeroom. His face still ached. The bruises had deepened and turned darker. His eye was swollen and black. He could feel everyone staring at him. He sat down at his desk and groaned when Becca noticed him. She laughed with her friends for a few minutes and turned toward him, smiling brightly. She jumped up and rushed over to his desk.
“Oh my goodness, Taylor, what happened?” she asked with mock sincerity.
“Go away, Becca. Leave me alone,” Taylor growled.
“That really looks like it hurts,” she chuckled. “Jackson had an early meeting with the student council, and I can’t wait for him to get here so he can see—”
Jackson entered the room and put his books on his desk. He turned, his eyes locked on Taylor. He frowned, his face set in a harsh squint, and stepped toward Taylor, only to be blocked by Becca. He brushed her aside and stopped at Taylor’s desk.
“Taylor? What happened to your face?” he asked, his expression an unreadable mask.
“Nothing. Why won’t you just leave me alone?” Taylor snapped.
Becca took Jackson by the arm and tried to pull him away, but he shrugged her off. “Taylor, can we talk?” he asked quietly.
The bell rang, and the other students moved to the door, intent on heading to their first period class. Taylor stood up, gathered his books, and glared at Jackson.
“Yeah, I think it’s pretty clear that’s not going to happen, and we both know it, don’t we?” he shot back. Turning on his heel, he rushed out the door, not even pausing when he heard Jackson call his name.