A Kind of Truth by Lane Hayes Read Free Book Online Page A

an expression of acute sadness. Loneliness. I studied him for a moment, wondering if I was reading too much into it.
    He sighed and looked at something in the distance. “You didn’t say anything. I’m out, but… I—my family didn’t take it well. Not quite as bad as your friend’s parents, but they don’t like it. So we don’t discuss it. Ever. They aren’t bohemian or cool, and frankly, they’d love the fact you were named after a right-leaning radical. They share those same rigid views and judgmental morals. The kind that don’t leave room for debate or… family members who don’t fit. I’m a nowhere man. It makes no difference if I’m out because the closet door isn’t wide enough for me to get through. I don’t even know if that makes sense, but being gay is a major distraction between my parents and me.” He scoffed derisively. “It’s a distraction to me most of the time too. The only thing that really matters to me is my music. I should be getting going. I’m cold.”
    I pulled his arm when he started to walk away. “Hey. I don’t know your story but… you’re crazy talented, Will. You can be or do anything you want. You’re in the right place to make anything happen.” Ugh. I hated those placating words the second they left my mouth. I struggled to come up with something meaningful. I couldn’t let him leave like this, especially with my lie sitting between us like a giant elephant only I could see. “What’s your dream? What’s the one thing you want to accomplish while you’re on the planet?”
    Will gave a half laugh, but his eyes twinkled with reluctant amusement. “Are you for real? We’re standing in the middle of a park on a freezing winter day and you want to talk about dreams?”
    “It’s warmer than it’s been in days.”
    “Which isn’t saying much.”
    “You’re stalling.”
    “I have class in twenty minutes.”
    I grinned at him, then reached out and snagged his beanie off his head. I couldn’t help myself. I wanted to play with him. Be silly. I wanted to make him laugh.
    “I’m keeping your hat hostage.”
    His face was set in mock outrage as he held out his hand, tapping his boot on the ground impatiently. “How old are you?”
    “Twenty-five. Hurry. Your ears are turning red.”
    “You’re twenty-five going on five. Hand it over.” He pursed his lips, then burst out laughing.
    “I wish there was snow on the ground. Next time it snows, we have to come back here for a snowball fight. You on?”
    “Are you cra—where are you going? Hey! Come back!”
    I pulled his hat over mine and waltzed away wearing two beanies as I embellished my considerable snowball-making skills. “I’m from Baltimore. We get enough snow that I’ve been able to perfect my craft over the years. You gotta go to the mountains to get to the really good powder but—”
    “I’m not chasing after you.”
    “Nah, you shouldn’t. I’m a fast runner too.”
    “I’m not and I don’t want to play around.”
    He started after me. He wasn’t joking. He was slow and awkward. Outmaneuvering him would have been easy. Too easy. I stalled and gave him a chance to catch me. It backfired when he tripped over my foot a second later. I caught him by the arm and pulled him against me. We stood chest to chest, our breath mingling visibly in the cool winter air. I detected a trace of desire in his eyes and immediately backed off. I yanked the hats from my head and stuffed mine in my pocket before gesturing for him to come closer. He stared at me for a second, then reluctantly complied. I pulled the navy cap over his head, making sure to tuck his hair underneath. This was the closest I’d ever been to him. I tried to imagine him with a wig, a blue dress, and a long black coat again, but it was too hard to see anything beyond his golden brown eyes, dark lashes, and the sweet freckles on his nose.
    I jumped back with a start. What was I doing? Straight guys didn’t do things like this. They