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.He goes to school and gets good enough grades to get scholarshipsevery year.And in the summers, he s worked every summer since he was sixteen years old.Whodo you think paid for our 25th anniversary vacation? Mason did, with the money he earned fromworking his summer jobs. But I thought  Randy began, only to be interrupted by his father. Shut up and listen to your mother, son.Jack watched Randy s head snap back at his father s stern voice.He couldn t remember the lasttime Bob had spoken to either of them like that.Certainly not since they had been teenagers.Butat this point, he wouldn t be surprised at anything Bob did.They both deserved it. Under normal circumstances, I would tell the two of you to fix this mess, but not this time.Thistime, unless Mason approaches you first, I want the two of you to stay away from him.If hewants to talk to you, he ll let you know.You ve both caused him enough pain.I won t let you doit anymore, Janet said as she glared across the table at Jack and Randy. But, what about  Randy tried to say. Oh, don t worry, I plan on telling Mason exactly what I ve said to you.If he wants somethingelse, he ll let you know.Until then, stay away from him.You ve both done enough damage.Bob was right behind Janet as they left the room to go upstairs, leaving Randy and Jack sitting atthe table in silence.They avoided each other s gaze, not knowing what to say to each other.Thesilence was almost deafening. Jack, I I m really sorry.I had no idea when I asked for that promise that it would come to this.I really meant well, I swear, Randy finally said. I know, Randy.Your heart was in the right place.No, we re both at fault here.We both decidedthe matter for Mason, not just you.I should have stood up to you, said no.But I didn t, and now Idon t know how to fix what I ve done.Mason will never forgive me now.Jack s hand shook as he pushed the hair back from his face.He quickly clasped it together withthe other one as he tried to hide how agitated he really was.Mason had been waiting for Jack foryears, and Jack had never had a clue.And now it might be too late. Just give him some time, Jack, Randy said as he patted Jack on the arm. If he really caresabout you, he ll come around.Ten years is a long time to love someone just to give up now. My god! He said he s loved me for ten years ten years, Randy.No one s loved me like that,ever. He ran his hand through his short, dark brown curls again, pulling at the ends as he tried toA Promise Kept - 38comprehend how badly he had fucked up. We wasted ten years that we could have beentogether.He tried to casually wipe away the tears forming in his eyes, embarrassed by them. I can timagine what he s gone through.I just have no idea how to make this up to him.Or even if hewill let me.He looked up at Randy s somber face, giving a little laugh. Do you realize that Mason wasabsolutely right? We know nothing about his life.We just took what we saw and assumed that itwas how he always was.I m a lawyer, Randy.I know how hard it is to get a degree.To thinkhe s getting a Ph.D.? That takes a lot of hard work. Yeah, I m just beginning to realize that I really don t know anything about my baby brother.Makes me wonder what kind of person I am.I ve so concerned about Mason acting irresponsibleall this time and I was the irresponsible one, Randy replied, looking grim. How do you think I feel? I had someone as wonderful as Mason right in front of me all of theseyears and I never saw it.Now it may be too late. Jack s chest hurt at the very thought that hemight have lost Mason already.He pressed his hand against his chest as he tried to make theache go away. That s not true, Jack.If you hadn t been interested, I never would have asked you to stay awayfrom him.And please know that it had nothing to do with him or you being gay.I could care lessabout that.I just wanted him to be happy. Randy, you don t get it.Yes, I was attracted to Mason all those years ago.I still am.I mean,damn! Have you seen that boy lately? Your brother is hot! But I wasn t in love with him.Youwere right to keep me away from him.I wasn t interested in a relationship.But now  Now? Now what? Randy asked as he sat forward in his chair. Now it s different, Jack said softly as he started down at his hands. I want to get to know him,to see if we have anything to build on.I want to know what makes him happy, what makes himsad besides me [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]