Chiaroscuro by Jenna Jones Read Free Book Online Page A

people think it's a relief to admit who you really are."
    "And then there's Micah, whose father is an evangelical pastor. When he called his mum on Sunday to tell her he was staying with me, she wanted to know if I was letting him drink. Can you imagine what she'd say if he said what I'm actually letting him do?"
    "I think it'd be enlightening and educational."
    "He's been sheltered all his life--telling his parents he's gay is going to be the hardest thing he's ever done."
    Dune drank his tea, a thoughtful expression on his face. "It's the hardest thing most of us have ever done. Even I had trouble finding the words, and you couldn't ask for parents more understanding and open-minded than mine."
    "Because they've been through it themselves," Jamie said quietly.
    "Exactly. What did yours do? You never talk about that. Were they cool with it?"
    "No." Jamie smiled tightly. "Which is why I never talk about it. Do you want the last California roll?"
    "No, you can have it." He tapped his chopsticks against his chin, still thoughtful. "I don't suppose Micah would appreciate some help in that area."
    "I wouldn't, either. Not a soul, Bellamy."
    Dune sighed. "All right. Not a soul. But the longer he puts it off the harder it's going to be. You start living a lie and suddenly you're living half a dozen more."
    Jamie nodded and sighed. He knew it--he knew it from experience--and also he knew that living his life openly and without apologies was the wisest decision he'd ever made.
    He wanted that for Micah--for him to face the world and say, "This is who I am. Deal with it." This week had been so good for him--Micah was happy, truly happy, and Jamie loved knowing he was the one who was making him so.
    In time. He hoped. In time.
    ***
    When Jamie got back to the Virtuoso building, none of his coworkers were at their desks. Instead they clustered in small, chattering groups in the halls and by the elevator bank. He said hello to the security guards and people he knew as he passed--and there were many, he'd been with Virtuoso since the beginning--but didn't stop until he reached the art department. He took off his satchel and paused a moment to look around his office--five years' worth of toys, clay models, sketches, photos, notes, books.
    As the head of the art department, he knew, he might be the only one with job security. Or he might be the first one fired so they could hire someone fresh out of school that they could pay less.
    He sighed and hung up his jacket as Aidan rapped on his door. "Hey, boss. Did you hear?"
    "Haven't heard a thing--I just got back from lunch. What's going on?"
    "The board met this morning. They've called a company-wide meeting at one-thirty in the main conference room."
    Jamie nodded slowly. He'd need a box just for his plants..."This is it, then."
    "I hope so--I'm sick of just waiting." He started to step away, then added, "Your fan club's here," as Micah walked up to Jamie's office.
    Jamie grinned and turned his face away a moment to keep it from being too obvious. "Hey, Aidan," Micah said, and the other man mussed his hair.
    "Hey, Squirt. See you guys at the meeting." He ambled off, and Micah stepped into Jamie's office, shaking his head with an annoyed expression.
    "I hate it when he does that."
    "You probably won't have to put up with it after today," Jamie said, perching on the stool in front of his drafting board. "I suppose you know about the meeting."
    Micah nodded. "Sit with me?"
    "Sure." He added in an even lower tone, "Shut the door."
    Micah licked his lips and glanced at him, and then shut the office door. He turned back to Jamie. "Next?"
    "C'mere."
    Micah crossed the office and stood in front of him, hands on his hips. "The meeting's in half an hour."
    "I'll just look at you, then." He smiled at Micah, trying to look like he didn't have anything devious planned. Which he didn't, but it was fun to let Micah think so.
    Micah scowled, stood still for a moment, and then leaned forward and put his hands