Short Stories

Their Secret to Keep [Part 2]

The rest of the week Brian didn't say a word to me. At school everyone was looking at me. News spreads fast in a small town like this. They must all think that I've actually cheated on Brian.
Derek and mr. Hunt still haven't told their families, resulting in Brian still doubting me. I bet you, the moment he hears he will apologize to me. But for now I have to get through this. For him.
So deep in thought, I bump into someone.
'I am so sorry.' I apologize to the tall figure standing in front of me.
'No problem.'
Brian.
I look up at him, softly smiling at me.
'I didn't do that on purpose.'
In the corner of my eye I see people shooting awful looks at us, me.
'I know. I want to talk.'
I nod. 'After school?'
He also nods. 'Can you come over?'

At three p.m. I ride up to Brian's house, leaving my bike against a fence. I ring the doorbell. It would be inappropriate to use my key, right?
Derek appears in the door frame, smiling at me.
'Aria.' He greets me. Nice to see you too, dude.
'I'm here for Brian.'
He nods. 'He's in his room.'
Derek let's me inside, but before I go up the stairs I turn to him. 'Please, tell him. He hasn't said a word to me all week.'
'We will, Aria. I promise you that. We just want to do it at the right moment.' Derek explains.
'There is never gonna be a right moment to tell them this, Derek. You have to suck it up and do it. I really don't want this to ruin my relationship with Brian.'
'He loves you, you know.'
I turn around and walk up the stairs. I shouldn't be telling them what to do, but if I say nothing it might ruin my relationship with Brian, and I'm not letting that happen.
I knock on Brian's bedroom door and open it. He's sitting at his desk, doing something on his computer with his headphones on.
'Hey.' I say. He turns and looks at me, taking off his headphones.
'Hey.'
I sit down on his bed, looking at him.
'I want to know what the reason is you lied.' Brian says seriously.
I sigh. 'I wish I could. I really want to.'
'Then tell me!'
'It's not my place to do that, Brian! It would be unfair to your dad!'
Did I just...
'My dad? You lied for my dad?' Brian asks confused.
Before I can say anything else he marches down the stairs, looking for Derek. I quickly go after him.
Derek is sitting in the living room, watching tv, as his son barches into the room and starts yelling. 'Tell me!'
He looks confused. 'What do you mean?'
'What are you hiding? What is so bad that you can't tell me, that Aria has to lie to cover it up? What is it, dad?'
The front door opens and Valerie walks in. She sets down her bag and walks into the living room. 'What's all the screaming about?' She asks.
'Aria never cheated on me, it was a cover-up for a secret dad has.' Brian explains.
I really fucked up.
'What? Derek, what is going on?' Valerie looks at her husband.
'Brian, Valerie, please sit down. I have something to tell you.'
No shit, Sherlock.
I sit down next to Brian, who holds my hand and squeezes it tightly.
Derek hesitates to say it, tears forming in his eyes. 'I'm gay.'
Valerie and Brian stay silent, looking at him surprised.
'And I'm in love with Louis.'
So that's mr. Hunt's real name! Louis.
'We have been having an affair for the past six months.'
Valerie's jaw drops as she stares at him in disbelief. 'I can accept the fact that you're gay,' She starts. 'but you cheating on me...'
Tears form in her eyes as she walks away.
'You could've told us six months ago, you know.'
Brian gets up, dragging me along with him out of the room as he walks away. I look back at Derek, sending me the most hateful glare I have ever seen. If looks could kill, I would be ashes right now.
'I'm sorry.' I say softly to Brian as we leave the house.
He stops walking and kisses me gently on the lips. 'I'm sorry.'
I wrap my arms around him and hold him tightly.
'Can we go to your place?' He asks.
I nod. 'Yeah, my parents are gone and Ashley is probably with Danielle.'

'I just don't understand! He knows us! He should've told us immediately!' Brian says in anger, sitting down on my bed and leaning against the wall as he rants. 'How did you find out, actually?'
'You know when the hunt's stayed over for dinner? When I walked into the kitchen I caught your dad kissing mr. Hunt.' I answer.
'I don't blame you for not telling me. I can see the look on your face.'
Wow, that's a big relief. I was afraid he'd be mad at me.
'You were right. It wasn't your place to tell the story. But, you could've come up with something different than cheating on me.'
I chuckle. 'I wasn't thinking clearly.'
Brian pulls me on top of the bed, kissing me as he wraps his arms around my waist.
'I love you.'
'I love you too.'