ODDS OF LOVE : SEASON ELEVEN

Episode 7

Saturday March 8 , 2025

" You should be going home, " Gerald HighTower said from his ICU hospital bed. His eyes weakly examined the very handsome yet also very stubborn face of the young man who sat in the chair next to the bed with his beloved walker by his side. " You've been here how long now? You need rest. Please go home and rest. I shall be fine. "

Alfred shook his head although his face and eyes did appear tired. " I'm not going anywhere. To answer your question I have been here since you arrived at the hospital for the ER and then hours of surgery to remove the bullet from your chest and when they took you here to ICU. I called your nephew by the way. David sent his best wishes to you but he said he could not come to the hospital because he" loathes " sickness. He claimed it made him break out in hives. Nigel was here for a bit but he went home to Richard and the kids. "

Gerald found himself smiling for some odd reason. Maybe it was the pain medicine. " My nephew has always had a sensitive constitution. "

Alfred snorted ," If that means he's a selfish dick yes I agree. I'm not leaving you. I just had the date from hell where the restaurant I was eating in was robbed by the estranged brother of my ex fiance. I just watched a man I am very fond of get shot because of me. Cut me some slack , ok ? Stan and I are staying right here. "

Gerald shook his head. " I didn't get shot because of you. You had nothing to do with this situation besides bad timing. "

" I know that. I also know that you got shot trying to help me because my body once again betrayed me and was too slow. All while my date sat in his chair. Not that I want anyone to take a bullet for me. But thank you, Gerald."

Alfred swallowed hard. " When I saw you get shot I realized something. I realized I was on the date with the wrong man. I should have been with you. I know. You are just barely out of your closet. I should let you go and experience everything you denied yourself for so long. You should be dating men...... different than me. Strong men. Healthy men. Men who don't get patronized by others. But I don't want you to. And I don't want to date Marco Martinez or anyone else. I know I just broke up with Scott. Look. I spent my whole life so far, even with Scott , thinking about the type of man I wanted in my life. And when I met you I found him. I want a good man. A great man. An intelligent man. One I can talk to. And one whose kisses turn me on more than I have ever been. I want to date you. "

Alfred fell silent but his eyes began to shine with a glimmer of hope mixed with fear and uncertainty. Why was he afraid? , Gerald wondered.

" Alfred, you deserve better than me. I'm older than you. I'm..... probably twice your size. I'm a boring man. I'm not like that date of yours tonight. Hardly. When I saw you with him I felt so lacking as a man. I want you too but I don't feel worthy of your attention. "

Alfred leaned forward slightly and lifted up his good arm to stroke at Gerald's brow as he smiled tentatively. " The man I was on a date with is an ass. An ass who talks constantly about himself and his career and his future. An ass who manhandles me and orders my food. What do the kids say? Red flags ? He wasn't you. You are not lacking. And you are worthy of my attention. I'm not so sure I am worthy of you but I'm willing to give it a try. If you want to. That is. "

Gerald looked at him for the longest time. Then he slowly moved himself into a sitting position in the bed and reached out to touch Alfred's face. " You are the most handsome man I've ever seen in my life. I think I could end up falling in love with this face. " He was pretty sure he already had. " I'm still a little frightened. I don't want to get my heart shattered if this ends badly. But I am willing to give it a try. "

Alfred smiled as their faces moved closer for a soft tender kiss.