The Leaves of Life by U. M. Lassiter

Author:U. M. Lassiter
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romance, gay, humor, young adult, contemporary, glbt, mainstream
Publisher: eXtasy Books Inc

“I wanted to just lay on the horn, but your mother wouldn’t let me,” Lou said as we pulled on the freeway. I was certain I was still blushing.

“Sure you did, Pop,” Tanner said. I was in the back seat with my boyfriend, his arm around me. “Me and Ry-Ry were talking... ”

“Is that what it’s called?”

Tanner was unfazed.

“... and we decided that he should know about everything.”

“Even the meth lab in the basement?”

“Lou... ” Evie said.

“You have a basement?” I asked.

“I’m drawing the line at the Swiss accounts.”

“Pop! This is important.”

“Okay, okay.” Lou looked at me through the rear-view mirror. “Ryan?”

“Yes, sir?”

“No more secrets. Okay?”

“That means a lot to me, Lou.”

“Ooh, good! I’ll go first,” Tanner said. “Ry-Ry’s got a hunky new boyfriend.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” I asked.

“See?”

Tanner held up his phone and displayed the picture I’d sent him. Evie looked at the picture and gave Tanner that you’re back up to your old tricks look. She turned to Lou.

“Andy Welch,” she said.

“Nice try, T-Man,” Lou said. “Ryan, Andy’s straight as an arrow.”

“I know,” I said.

“Aha! I knew it!” Tanner said gleefully. “You hit on him!”

“No! I... you’re messing with me.”

Tanner kissed me.

“I wouldn’t do that,” he said with a wink. “So, you must have wondered—hoped, probably. How did you know? I can’t see you just up and asking.”

“He took me aside and told me there weren’t any gay players on the water polo team right now. I think he wanted to make sure I didn’t say or do something embarrassing. I guess he didn’t want me to make any... assumptions.”

“Andy is such a sweet boy, Ryan,” Evie said. “We’ve known him for years.”

“He’s really different from his dad,” I said.

“Almost like a real human being,” Tanner said.

“Watch it, T-Man,” Lou said. “Ted’s a stand-up guy. Sometimes he’s just... ”

“A jerk?”

“Blunt,” Lou said, ignoring Tanner’s snarky crack. “Not exactly my style, but it seems to work for him.”

“So, Ry-Ry, is it true you made the team?” Tanner asked.

“I made the bench, if that’s what you mean.”

“That’s so cool!” Tanner hugged me and gave me a kiss.

“What about you, Ryan?” Evie asked. “Are you happy with that?”

“To be honest, I haven’t made up my mind yet about water polo, but I like swimming.”

“You can always go out for the swim team this spring,” Lou said.

“I can’t wait to go to your first game,” Tanner said.

“Well, actually,” I began, screwing up my courage, “I was kind of thinking of taking some time off.”

Tanner’s brow furrowed.

“You mean, like, from training?”

“From school.”

Tanner’s expression got even more confused.

“Why the hell would you do that?” he asked.

“To spend more time with you,” I answered. “I thought you’d like it.”

“Did you have anything to do with this, Pop?”

Lou held up his hand defensively. “Don’t look at me, T-Man,” he said. “I only have so much time to be a meddlesome SOB.”

Tanner turned back to me.

“You know I’m starting back to school next week, don’t you?”

“Well, I... ”

“What are you going to do? Sit out in the hallway all day?”

“I thought I was helping.

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