Alluring Ties by Skye Turner

insignificant little man?!” Her eyes fill and I wipe the tears with my thumbs as they trail down her cheeks. “What you and Micah had was real . His uncle doesn’t know what love is, and you allowed him to take that gift away from you. You allowed him to victimize you, but worse than that, you victimized yourself. You convinced yourself that you aren’t good enough and you played right into his hands. You’re better than this.”
    She sobs and swallows. Finally she speaks. “I love him. With everything in me, I love him. But I killed that. I didn’t- I didn’t cheat. We weren’t together, but I betrayed him, and I did it knowing he’d find out. I didn’t think he’d see , but I knew he’d find out. I did that. I killed our love…”
    Leaning in, I kiss her forehead. “You didn’t kill it. It’s still there. It’s buried beneath pain and heartache on both sides, but it’s there. If it wasn’t, neither of you would be like this.” Standing up, I tell both of them, “There’s a party tonight at the frat. Micah is going. I’m going too, because Joe is back and we have some things to discuss. You both should come. You need to talk to him. He may listen, he may not, but you need to at least try. If you continue running, Bradi, you’re never going to forgive yourself.”
    They nod and agree to come. As I walk out the door, I hear Bradi ask Lexi, “What if he can’t forgive me?”
    I don’t hear Lexi’s reply. Heading back to my room, I decide not to tell Micah that Bradi will be there tonight, just in case she doesn’t show.
    Four hours later, I’m dabbing on cologne and we’re about to head out the door. I have a sick feeling in my stomach, so I’m mentally preparing myself for what’s going to happen tonight.
    We get to the frat and the party is already spilling onto the lawn. Telling Micah I’m going to find Joe, I leave him and head into the house. Joe is not in the main part of the house, so I head up to his room. As I get to the door, I wipe my palms down the front of my jeans, and knock. I already know this is going to be bad, but it’s now or never.
    He opens the door and he smiles when he sees me, but his face looks strained. He pulls me into the room by the hands and locks the door. Then he’s on me. Pressing me back against the door, he’s kissing me like he’s afraid I’ll disappear at any minute. Teeth are clashing and hands are everywhere. He’s frantic. Eventually, I break the kiss, and pull back to try to catch my breath. He kisses my mouth softly and whispers against my lips, “I’m sorry. I missed you so much.”
    Walking me over to the bed, he sits and gestures for me to sit beside him. I do and I wait.
    After staring at each other for what seems like hours, but is probably only a minute, he swallows and tries to speak. No words come out, so he tries again. Still nothing.
    I decide to take control. Looking at him, I flatly ask, “What happened, Joe? Did you cheat on me while you were home?”
    He reaches for my hands but I move them, and sit on them so I won’t touch him. He sighs and starts to talk. “Yes.” I jump up and move away from the bed. He stops me with his hands and his eyes are pleading with me. “Stop. Just listen, Erik. Please.”
    I stop and lean against the door, clenching my hands so tightly my nails break the skin of my palm.
    He cheated on me. He pursued me and made me take a chance. Made me love him and he cheated on me. And now I’m supposed to just listen?!
    Grabbing my neck, I squeeze, and grit out, “Go ahead. You have five minutes and then I’m walking out the door.”
    He calls my name softly and it’s filled with pain. “Erik… It’s not what you think. It’s not what you’re thinking.”
    Laughing harshly, I say, “Not what I’m thinking?! Cheating is cheating. And now you have four minutes, so, if you want me to listen, start talking!”
    His voice cracks, but he starts. “I’ve always known I was gay, Erik. Always. I’ve