ODDS OF LOVE : SEASON ELEVEN

Episode 8

" They have that bastard Skip Sands arrested and over at a hospital in Montgomery," Joe said as he read the Washington Reign and drank his tall white chocolate mocha with skim milk from the chair next to the hospital bed Winston was curled up in staring blankly at the wall opposite him. " Too bad that mother of Nigel's didn't have better aim. He needs to get her gun lessons. Says she won't be charged with anything. Wonder if it will affect her immigration status. It says here she is over here on a work visa. He must actually pay her to sang those dance hall numbers of hers. Hmm. Doubt they'll kick her out. Norland will grease a few palms. I'm sure of it." He folded the paper up and glanced over at his lover. " Paper said Judge L.L. Handel is sending Sands to jail to serve the rest of his probation while the cops investigate your..... your case and everything else he did. I hope they put him under the jail. "

Winston whispered," The doctor said I may go home maybe tomorrow. Maybe. I'm trying to think what home I will go to. My father won't even talk to me. He claims he almost lost Doris over ....... He said it was pure luck she still married him. I can't see him letting me live with them. I'll have to find a place not too expensive. And a new job. "

Joe sat back on the chair in surprise. " What the hell are you talking about? You live with me. That's your home. It needs cleaning now thanks to Sands but that sister of DuBuis's has given me a card for some crime scene cleaning service. Can you imagine such a thing? Wouldn't think they would make much money doing all that. I'll have it cleaned before you get home. Don't worry. You won't have to clean or cook for..... until you are ready. And take your time going back to the club. "

Winston rolled over in the bed and sat up gingerly, looking at him with amazement. " Don't patronize me. I know you. You can't possibly still want me now. " He touched the bandage on his face. " Not like this. I know how much you love beauty and beautiful things and people. I hear what you say about Nigel Norland. My face will be scarred. The doctor said it affected nerves in my face. I'll never look the same again. Even with the best plastic surgery. And I'm also..... damaged goods. Why would you still want me? As your fuck boy or your employee? "

Joe felt anger growing inside himself. For what Winston had just said. For what Sands had done. For himself because he knew what Winston had just said was true. To a point. He was an asshole. He knew that. A selfish self centered self absorbed asshole. " Shut up. Now. You are more than a fuck boy and an employee. Please believe me. I actually told you I loved you last night. I meant it. I mean it. I love you. I love you, Winston Arnett. I've loved you since the first moment I saw you sitting at the bar in Zest in DC. You were there because you thought your cronies here would not see you. You looked so scared. But so gorgeous. I wanted you enough to take you home that night. I wanted you enough to keep taking you home. I still want you. Do you know how much it hurt knowing you chose to officially date Sarah Norland ? Have an affair with her? She was using you. And you used her because you were a closeted self hater. You let her ghost influence you into trying to take away a man's child. It was not you who really wanted Richard's daughter. It was her memory. You sabatoged your career for a ghost of your beard. " He sighed and Winston just looked at him. " Saying I love you is tough for me. I don't know what love is. My mother died when I was six months old. Her doctor warned her to not have children because she was so fragile and frail. Something with her heart. That's what my father told me. He blamed me. And her. He called her selfish because she had me. He called me selfish because I was born. He both loved and hates her and never married again. He just hates me. I don't know what love is. I never wanted to tell anyone I loved them before. Came close with..... but no. Not even with him. But you. " He stared at him and smiled slightly. " There's just something about your closeted nerdy always screwing up ass. I love you. And even with the scars I think I will still love you. At least I'll try. I know I'm a man slut. I know I'm selfish. But I don't want you on that dating app. I don't want you to fuck other men. I want to be your only man. " He paused and looked very scared. " And I don't want to fuck other men. Not anymore. I just want to make love with and to you. So the home you are going back to is mine. Ours. Forever. Get used to it. Because I love you. "

Winston wanted to cry. His father always said crying was a weakness. But he wanted to cry. And he did as he whispered," I love you too. "