All because I liked a BOY?

Be my ...?

Jeff walked up to Megan’s front door, his steps hesitant as he rang the doorbell. When Megan opened the door, she greeted him with a smile, though there was a tension between them.

“Hey, Megan,” Jeff said, trying to sound casual, despite the tightness in his chest. “I’m here to pick up Izzy.”

Megan nodded, stepping aside to let him in. “Izzy’s in the living room. She’s been waiting for you.”

As Jeff stepped inside, his eyes immediately landed on his daughter. Izzy was sitting on the couch, a big grin spreading across her face when she saw him.

“Daddy!” she exclaimed, jumping up and rushing into his arms.

Jeff hugged her tightly, the familiar feeling of her small body against his bringing comfort. “Ready to go, kiddo?” he asked, his voice soft.

Izzy nodded eagerly, grabbing her backpack from the couch and running to the door.

“You’re all set?” Megan asked, her voice quieter now.

“Yeah, we’re good. Thanks, Megan.”

With Izzy in tow, Jeff walked out the door. He glanced back at Megan, but she only offered him a strained smile before closing the door.

They drove in silence at first, the hum of the car and the occasional glance exchanged between them filling the quiet space. The weight of the day seemed to lift a little with each mile they put between themselves and Megan’s house.

Izzy, content in the backseat, sleeping peacefully , blissfully unaware of the tension between the adults.

The car came to a stop outside Jeff’s cozy home, the soft hum of the engine fading into the quiet of the evening. Bible turned off the engine and looked over at Jeff, who had been unusually quiet on the ride. There was something about tonight—an unspoken weight that seemed to hang between them.

"Are you coming inside?" Jeff asked, his voice soft but inviting.

Bible gave a small nod, his gaze holding Jeff’s for a moment. "Yeah, I’ll come inside."

They both stepped out of the car, walking side by side toward the front door. Bible couldn’t help but notice the simplicity of the house. It wasn’t extravagant, but there was a quiet warmth to it. Everything seemed to have its place, from the scattered books on the coffee table to the small, potted plants near the windows.

“Make yourself comfortable,” Jeff said, his voice carrying a slight nervous edge, as if unsure of how to proceed. Bible smiled softly in response, taking a few slow steps into the living room.

Bible’s eyes wandered around the room, admiring how lived-in and personal it all felt. The place was grounded, different from his own sleek, polished apartment. This was a space that told a story. It wasn’t perfect, but it was real, and Bible could sense the peace it brought Jeff.

When Bible reached the doorway of the bedroom, he paused. He stood just outside, watching quietly as Jeff gently placed Izzy on the bed. The little girl was asleep, her head resting peacefully on the pillow. Jeff lingered by her side, his eyes softening as he looked at her, before turning back to Bible.

Bible took in the sight for a moment before speaking softly, “It’s nice here. Feels... comfortable.”

Jeff’s smile was small but sincere. “Yeah, it’s not much, but it works.”

Bible nodded, his attention shifting to Jeff. There was an unspoken understanding between them—both aware of the uncharted territory they were walking. He took a deep breath and stepped further into the room, as if pulling himself closer to the reality of everything that was unfolding.