Can two broken hearts be healed?
Duke Michelson lost his husband and high school sweetheart, Emilio. He buries himself with work but nothing seems to heal his broken heart not until he meets Dashiell Mitchell.
Dashiell "Dash" Mitchell also has a b...
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It's been a couple of weeks since I saw Duke and I couldn't be happier. Ok, I'm lying. I am happy for him because he has a spark in his eyes like he use to when Emilio was alive. But deep inside I always had a crush on Duke and it burned me that Dash was with him. I noticed Duke in high school but Emilio had more courage to talk to him. I encouraged Emilio to go for it and he did.
I stopped myself from talking to Duke because I hid from my sexuality. I didn't want everyone to know or think I was trying to take Emilio's spotlight in high school. He was popular and an inspiration to everyone in high school. He had a heart of gold and I wanted him to be happy so that's why I gave him the push to talk to Duke, even though deep inside I was shooting myself.
He got the man of his dreams, both of them did. Now I'm here living a fake life, still hiding from everyone. I enjoyed being a pro football player but I am happy? No. Do I enjoy all the perks of being famous? Yes. But deep down I'm empty. I'm a black hole of emptiness and after getting in touch with Duke again, I'm yearning to have his happiness.
I know his heart was shattered when Emilio passed away. I remembered when I flew in after one of my football games. I was devastated when I heard the news of Emilio's accident. I never cry but I broke down in one of my hotel rooms. I remembered the day I walked into the funeral home. It was a gloomy day as rain poured down and thunder roared in the sky.
******
*A YEAR AGO*
The rain poured down as the gray sky became darker by the minute. It added to the hole in my heart. My best friend was gone and that didn't sit right with me. I know we were on and off after high school but he was like a brother to me. I know I fucked up once but that made our bond stronger.
My lips trembled as I cracked my neck and held the tears that knotted in my throat. Grace squeezed my hand and pulled me towards her. "Hey, I know you're hurting and I'm here for you, just remember we are married, don't let it slip out," we were at a fundraiser not so long ago and I called Grace my best friend. Suspicious eyes studied us but Grace fixed it right away.
I swallowed hard as we walked towards the entrance of the room where Emilio was. We approached the entrance and I nearly blacked out. I saw his open casket and that's when I lost it. My tears came pouring down as my lips trembled. Grace squeezed my hand as her eyes got watery as well. Her gray eyes slowly turned into a deep gray tone. Her lips trembled as her eyes averted to the casket. I saw Emilio's mom crying into Emilio's dad's shoulder. Fuck, this is more painful than I thought.
Then I saw him. Duke was sitting in the front row, with his parents, as he sat still. He stood up and walked slowly to Emilio's casket then he cried loudly. He leaned in and hugged Emilio. His pain radiated inside this tiny room. "Emilio! Why did you leave me! Why?! I never got to say goodbye!" his agony pierced my heart. Grace squeezed my hand as she covered her mouth and heard her sniffle.
