Just Sex Mates (boyxboy)

Chapter 22: Decisions.

Panic shot through me like the Shinkansen, the Japanese bullet train, causing my heart to skip a beat in fright. I looked accusingly at Carol. "You all said he wouldn't be coming... How come Tudor's here? Did you or Dad invite him after all?"

As I began to shake uncontrollably and tears formed in my eyes, Carol pulled me into a hug. "No, not specifically as he's always rebuffed any invitation to visit me. He turned up unannounced an hour ago. He's angry that I never told him that Saxon is to give me away. He's claiming favouritism and is insisting on them both doing it."

Jennifer handed me a tissue. "Saxon has been trying to persuade him to go but Tudor's being awkward and stubborn about it, saying he's got as much right to be here as you. Your father was trying to get everything sorted out before you arrived."

"W-where is Dad now?" I sobbed.

"He's just gone upstairs," Carol answered. "He's going to insist that Tudor keeps well away from you or he has to leave right now. Neither of us want any unpleasantness..., today of all days. It's very important to your father..., and to me, that you stay. You will stay, won't you?"

I didn't want to stay. I wanted to distance myself from this house and this wedding but felt I was trapped. If only Connor had been willing to drive me today then I could easily make my escape. Just as I thought about phoning Connor and asking him to come and get me, Saxon appeared.

"I'm sorry Freddie. I've done my best to convince him to go..., and so has your father. He's promised to behave and keep away from you and we can't do much more than that...., but I promise you I will make sure that happens. Okay?"

Saxon openly hugged me. It didn't seem to bother him that both Carol and Jennifer were there. He then pushed me back, still holding on to me so I had to look at him. "You can do this Freddie. Just keep focused. Pretend he's invisible and not there. You're much stronger than you think. Our dad has always let Tudor have his own way and he's turned out to be a spoiled prick who thinks he can do what he wants, when he wants. If he so much as says one wrong word to you...., I'll make him wish he'd stayed away. That I can promise."

"So will I." It was my Dad's voice ringing out loud and clear. "He's under no illusion as to what would happen to him if he steps out of line. I will understand if you still want to leave..., and it won't change anything between us. I will still love you and you will always be my son. You would still be welcomed back, whatever you decide. Nothing would have to change..., but I really do want you to stay. You don't have to be my Best Man...., I want you to be my Ring Man instead, that way you don't have to give a speech or anything like that.... All you'll need to do is to hand me these rings."

Dad held his hand out. It contained two ring boxes. "It would please me if you were to say yes..., as it would keep you close to me..., something that I have failed to do in the past."

My emotions went into orbit. I'd never wanted to be his Best Man. I hadn't even prepared a speech. I was like a young teenage boy again whose thoughts were all in turmoil and desperately in need of a father to sweep any troubles all away. The tone of his voice, and his choice of words, exuded sincerity and was definitely heartfelt. To me it showed that he was trying to understand me and my fears. The pleading look in his eyes allured to the fact that he was attempting to be a better father to the one I had known. His request for me to stay was genuinely meant. I broke free from Saxon's hold and hugged my father.

"You will stay, won't you Freddie?" Carol asked, as I sobbed into my father's chest, her hand gently caressing the back of my neck in a soothing manner.

It was all I could do to nod in an affirmative manner before taking the rings from his hand. Rightly or wrongly, the decision to be his Ring Man was based on my future relationship with him and with Carol and not on what happened with me and Tudor in the past. If Dad was behaving like a new man then at least he deserved another chance.