Summer Lovin' ✩ Hardzello

10 | Poetry in motion

"Ahem, what's going on boys?"

I sat upright quickly and gasped then looked over to see that Ben was still out cold.

I removed his arm from around my waist and turned around to face my father.

He was standing in my doorway, tapping his foot on the ground with his arms crossed.

"I-it's not what it looks like, I swear"

He looked over at Ben who was still sleeping and then pointed at me, gesturing for me to come out of the room.

I swallowed my courage and walked out of the room behind my dad.

I kept my eyes glued to the floor so I wouldn't have to make eye contact with him.

"I'm not mad at you." He said calmly.

I looked up at him and my jaw dropped.

"Really?"

"Yes, I have absolutely no problem with you being gay. It doesn't affect me in any way so why should I care?"

I sighed with relief.

"I'm not going to tell your mother about this because I know for a fact that she wouldn't take it very well"

I nodded sadly and he actually hugged me.

My father almost never hugged me.

"Your secret is safe with me" he whispered to me before letting go and disappearing down the stairs.

I walked back into my bedroom with a smile on my face.

Ben was still sleeping so I laid down next to him and buried my face in the crook of his neck.

His hands moved down to my waist and he pulled me closer to him.

"Good morning Ben"

He chuckled and kissed my cheek.

He got up and walked to the bathroom, presumably to take a shower.

I laid on my bed, staring at the ceiling and replaying what my dad said to me over and over again in my head.

I didn't think he'd accept me, I honestly thought he'd have me locked up instantly.

~~~

Ben came walking out of the bathroom with a towel draped around his shoulders and he was fumbling with his belt buckle.

He took the towel off his shoulders and threw it on my dresser.

He ran his fingers through his hair and rubbed his eyes.

I got up and walked over to him.

I draped my arms around his neck and put my head on his chest.

I took one of my hands and brushed my fingers along the rose tattoo that sat in the center of his chest but was tilted slightly to the left.

"What does that mean?" I asked, pointing to the rose on his chest.

"Oh, uh roses were my mum's favorite flower so I got a tattoo over my heart after she...she..."

I put a finger to his lips to let him know he didn't have to tell me anymore and that I'd figured it out myself.

"That really sweet Ben. I bet she'd love it"

He sighed and looked down at me.

I looked up at him and gave him a kiss.

He smiled and pulled me over to the bed.

He laid down and I laid back down next to him with my head on his chest.

"What did you talk about with your dad this morning?"

"Basically he walked in on us cuddling and I thought he was going to be absolutely furious but then we talked it out and he's completely fine with it."

Ben smiled sadly at me.

"Well, that's good"

I nodded and twirled some of his hair between my fingers.

"I think we have a band practice tomorrow, I'll have to call Gwil and ask"

"Isn't he the lanky kid that yelled at me for getting you to play Little Richard?"

I nodded and he let out a breathy laugh.

"I don't think your friends like me very much."

"What makes you say that?"

"First, Gwilym and Rami yelled at you because I made you play something actually good then that Lucy gal stormed into the diner and looked at me like I was eating her firstborn"

"I think it's just because they don't know you very well, they don't know how sweet and kind and caring you are"

He smiled and me and ruffled my hair up a little bit.

He planted a soft kiss on the top of my head and stroked my back while I hummed out a melody to a new song I'd been working on.

I heard the phone ringing downstairs but I just ignored it since both my parents were home and one of them could probably get it.

I closed my eyes and relaxed a little bit.

Well I was relaxed until I heard someone yelling downstairs.

"Joseph, There's someone on the phone that wants to talk to you!"

Oh, just peachy.