Overboard (19 page)

Jason broke away from Katey, and while Duncan was distracted charged up behind him and shoved him in the back.

Duncan tried to grab the rail, but everything happened too fast. He was floating through the air and the water was rapidly approaching.

S
ebastian saw Duncan falling overboard
. He reached out for him but too late. He couldn’t get a grip. He could only watch the man he loved tumbling toward the ocean.

Jason leaned over the rail, laughing at Duncan’s predicament. “That’ll teach you to mess with a real man!”

Having no idea what to do, Sebastian looked around for help. Duncan was not a very good swimmer. Sebastian had no idea how long he could survive in the ocean without help. He had no idea if any of the ship’s crew had seen him fall and had already raised an alarm.

All he knew was that despite their fight, despite the horrible things Duncan had said to him, he needed to save his man.

Sebastian grabbed an armful of nearby lifejackets, and, before he could talk himself out of it, jumped in after Duncan.

Luckily, he hit the water with his feet first. His speed pushed him under the water, ripping the lifejackets from his hand. When his momentum stopped, he kicked back to the surface, and started looking for Duncan, but couldn’t see him.

This can’t be happening. He has to be all right. I can’t live without him anymore.

Hearing a gasp behind him, he spun to see Duncan briefly emerge before starting to sink down again.

Sebastian hooked his arm under Duncan’s armpit and pulled him up. “I’ve got you. Everything is going to be okay.”

Duncan cried, “Just let me drown. Let me go. I’m not worth it. Nothing’s worth it.”

Sebastian grabbed a lifejacket and started wrestling Duncan into it while whispering soothing words into the scared man’s ears.

Once Duncan was secured, Sebastian pulled one onto himself.

When they were both floating safely in the gentle waves and warm water, Sebastian, trying to keep the mood light, said, “What do you say we go grab some pizza once we get back on the ship?”

Duncan floated wordlessly in the water.

Sebastian poked him. “Hey, man. What’s wrong? What’s going on? You can tell me. Things are going crazy, but I want to help you through whatever is going on. I can’t do that if you lock me out. We’re all alone down here. No one can hear anything we say. What’s happening? Why did you run away last night?”

Duncan laughed, but there was no happiness in his voice. “Sure, we’ll just start with an easy, little topic. Fine. I left last night because you’re cheating on me. I deserve better than that and so I left. It’s your fault, so just deal with it.”

The words slapped Sebastian harder than if Duncan had used his hand.

“What? I don’t understand. Where did you...? What did you...? I don’t understand. I’m not cheating on you. Those days are over. Where did you hear that?”

“Jason told me. And I saw you with that guy in the hall when we ran by.”

Duncan and Sebastian looked up at the ship. They could see Jason still laughing down at them.

“Fuck,” Duncan said. “What was I thinking to believe in that guy? But if you weren’t cheating, who was that guy in the hall? Just because he was lying, doesn’t mean he wasn’t right. And don’t try to tell me you’ve never cheated on anyone before. We both know that would be a lie.”

“True. I have cheated on men in the past. But not since I met you. Who was that guy? I thought you might be in trouble when you didn’t come back to the room. I didn’t know what kind of trouble, but I couldn’t imagine going to bed without you next to me. So I looked all night. And I didn’t find you. Imaging the worst, I went to the main desk and asked for help. That guy was helping me find places you might’ve snuck off to. That’s all. There’s no way I would ever cheat on you. There’s only you from now on. I love you.”

Duncan looked up at Jason’s ugly face, and then back to Sebastian. Sebastian was telling the truth and had been faithful. He had been all along. Sebastian believed him and would never doubt him again.

“I’m so sorry. I’m an idiot. I should have trusted you more. I love you too much not to trust you. Can you forgive me?”

Sebastian smiled. Despite being stranded in the ocean, everything was okay in his world. All that mattered was that he and Duncan were back together. All the rest of it would take care of itself.

“Of course I forgive you. There’s nothing to forgive. We’ll have many fights over the years that we’re together, so we might as well start learning how to do it. And, as far as fights go, ending up stranded in the ocean together sounds like we’ve got the fighting part down. Now it’s time to start working on making up.”

Duncan reached out to give Sebastian a hug but shouts and horns from up above interrupted them.

Someone shouted through a loud bullhorn, “Stay where you are. Help is on the way.”

D
uncan refused
the towel that one of the cruise-ship staff offered him when he stepped back onto the boat.

He was too angry at Jason to notice the water.

He wasn’t mad because Jason almost had made him drown. That was pretty shitty. But he was angry at how Jason had almost torn him and Sebastian apart. The thought of losing Sebastian because of a lie told by Jason nearly killed Duncan.

He needed to start trusting Sebastian. He couldn’t punish Sebastian anymore for foolish decisions he had made when he was younger.

Duncan had made plenty of his own.

Duncan was still making plenty of his own.

But one decision that he would not make anymore was blindly accepting that Sebastian was anything but loyal to him.

Duncan pushed through the hugs from his mom and dad, and quickly made his way over to where Jason and Katey still arguing.

His sister was shouting about their marriage, and about Duncan, and throwing out several seemingly random profanities.

Jason didn’t bother fighting back. He just shook his head with a smug look on his face.

Duncan was pretty sure he heard Jason say,” Like you’re going to do anything about it. You can’t handle this alone.”

Duncan never gave his sister a chance to reply. He ran the last few steps and punched Jason in the nose before Jason even knew he was coming. Jason dropped to the floor, out cold.

Duncan turned to apologize to his sister for his outburst, but before he could get the words out, she said, “About time that asshole got what was coming to him.”

Duncan looked down at Jason. He almost felt bad about catching him off-guard. It didn’t feel very manly. Even worse, though, was knowing that when Jason woke up, he would probably call his lawyer and start trouble for Duncan.

Whatever. Everyone saw what happened. Throwing me off the ship has to be worse than punching his dumb nose. I’ve bigger problems than that. I need to tell my family about Sebastian and me.

Duncan turned toward his parents. They were both standing with their mouths half open, as if they didn’t recognize the crazy man standing in front of them.

That’s fitting. I’ve never given them a chance to know who I really was since I ran away.

Choosing his words carefully, Duncan managed to say, “I’m so sorry. I’ve made a mess of everything. I’m sorry about not telling you what I knew about Jason. We’re family. I should’ve said something earlier. I’m sorry that I’ve been so distant these last few years. I’ll do a better job and try to stop blocking you guys out of my life. And I’m sorry that I’m a disappointment and I’m sorry for being gay.”

Duncan finished the last few words in a near whisper.

George roared, “That’s bullshit!”

No one said a word. No one moved.

Duncan had known things would be bad when he told his dad. That’s why he hadn’t. But a man has to learn to be comfortable in his own skin. Even if his dad didn’t accept him, he had to know.

Still, the outburst nearly broke Duncan. He had expected the worst, but held onto a small sliver of hope that his dad would be okay when the moment came.

The sliver had just been crushed.

Nancy patted George’s shoulder and tried to pull him away, whispering in his ear to not make a scene.

George pulled away from her. “Damn it, let me speak my mind.”

He stood in front of Duncan, making direct eye contact.

Duncan wanted to slink away and hide in the fields behind his house like he used to when he was a kid.

“You should have told us about Jason. No. That’s not right. You should have told Katey. She’s a grown woman. She would’ve handled it.”

George turned to look at his wife. “And you have been too distant. Your mom misses having you around the house. I miss you. We don’t expect to see you every weekend, but we’d like to hear how you’re doing.”

Duncan nearly wept to hear that his father wanted him around. But remembering the anger in his father’s outburst, he braced himself for the worst yet to come.

George turned back to Duncan.

“I’m sick and tired of all the fighting that we do. Like I said last night, I’ll work on my half of that and trust that you’ll meet me halfway when I stop being an ass.

“But you don’t have to apologize for being gay. It’s 2016, for Christ’s sake. No one cares who you’re sleeping with. I just want to know that you’re happy, safe, and proud of your decisions. You always seem like you are hiding from yourself and that’s no way to go through life. Be proud of who you are. We are.”

Duncan wiped tears from his eyes.

His dad wasn’t going to reject him. He wasn’t going to try to change him.

Duncan had played this scene through his imagination more times than he could count, and not a single time did it end with anything other than an argument.

He instantly regretted the years that he had waited to tell them, but looked forward to the years that were coming. Especially now that he had someone like Sebastian to take home when he did go to visit the family.

George turned to Sebastian and set his hands on the thin man’s shoulders. “But you better not fuck anything up and hurt him or you’ll have to answer to me. Get your shit straight. Ask for help when you need it. And we’ll be fine.”

The entire family laughed. George hugged Sebastian and then pulled Duncan in for a group hug.

Duncan could not remember a happier moment in his life.

After years of feeling alone, he felt accepted and loved by so many people all at once. It overwhelmed him.

Between all the tears and hugs, it took Duncan a couple of minutes to notice that Katey was quietly standing outside the circle. She smiled, happy for her brother, but clearly lost in her own thoughts.

Of course. Her wedding. I’ve ruined it after all. Not exactly the way I expected, but I still screwed it up.

Needing to apologize, Duncan pulled her away from the crowd, through a door, and into a quiet hallway.

D
uncan looked
down at the ugly carpet, trying to find the right words to use when apologizing for ruining someone’s wedding.

“What a crazy couple days. At least we’ll all have some good stories to take home from all of it.”

Katey smiled and nodded.

Duncan continued, “I’m so sorry about everything. I don’t even know where to begin. Are you going to be okay? What are you going to do about Jason?”

Katey blew out a big breath of air. “I’ll be fine. Eventually. I’m still a little shattered right now. I mean, I always knew he was kind of an ass. When we were alone he was pretty decent, though. After a string of jerks who couldn’t even manage that, I guess I was just happy to find somebody who seemed to like me. Should it be so hard to find a guy who wants to be around me? Who thinks that I’m pretty?”

Duncan shook his. “No way. You’re amazing and beautiful. I understand wanting that, though. It can get lonely out there. I’ve been with my share of jerks.”

“But it looks like you found your Prince Charming after all. I need to find a relationship more like you and Sebastian have. I need someone that I like all day, not just when he decides to be nice to me.”

Duncan hugged his sister, holding her tight while he let her cry in his arms.

After she cried herself out, Duncan said, “I can understand why you stayed with him. I’m glad you didn’t in the long run, but I get it. What I get don’t get is why a guy like him was looking to get married in the first place. Not to you, I mean. Clearly any guy looking to get married would be lucky to have you as his bride. Beautiful. Funny. Swears like a sailor.”

Katey finally laughed. She shrugged and said, “I guess he’s just kind of an old-fashioned guy deep down.”

Duncan didn’t understand what she meant. He couldn’t imagine a man like Jason wanting to settle down with a wife. A guy like him would want to be free.

Duncan was about to push his sister further when he noticed her hands resting across her belly. Her right hand gave a gentle rub.

“Oh shit. You’re pregnant aren’t you? That’s why Jason wanted to stick around. What are you going to do?”

Katey smiled sadly. “Just keep moving forward. I’ll raise my baby. I’ll find a better man, someday. No rush. I’ll be more picky this time. I’ll find someone that makes me happy. Someone I won’t have to worry about whether he’s cheating on me when he says he’ll be late home from work.”

Katey grabbed Duncan’s shoulders. “What about you two?” She asked while turning him around.

Sebastian smiled at Duncan, and dropped to one knee.

Duncan couldn’t remember ever seeing Sebastian nervous. On the rock wall, exploring the pyramids, even in the ocean, Sebastian always seemed calm and unafraid.

He looked ready to vomit down in front of Duncan.

Duncan wandered why he was on his knee. He hoped Sebastian was feeling okay.

Sebastian looked up and said, “Duncan Mills, I haven’t stopped thinking about you from the first time I saw you. Losing you last night was more than I could handle. I don’t want that ever to happen again. Will you marry me?” Sebastian pulled a small box out of his pocket and opened it for Duncan, showing the gold wedding band inside.

Duncan laughed nervously and looked back at his sister.

I must be missing some kind of joke.

She was smiling and clapping her hands. She nodded to at him. Duncan looked back at Sebastian who hadn’t moved from his one knee.

“Stop fucking with me. Were you both in on this? I don’t understand what’s going on, but I don’t like being made to feel like a fool.”

Sebastian simply said again, “Duncan Mills, will you marry me? No jokes.”

It was Duncan’s turn to panic. He still couldn’t tell if this was all a prank. He wanted so badly for it not to be, but everything was happening so quickly. How could it not be a joke?

Duncan heard a sound down the hall. His mother was crying and hugging George’s arm. George wiped a tear from his own eye.

Duncan felt dizzy. The only thing he knew was that he agreed with one thing that Sebastian had said. He didn’t ever want to spend another night without Sebastian.

Katey whispered to Duncan, “This is really happening. Are you ready for your forever?”

Tears streamed down Duncan’s face into his beard. He tried to talk, but words wouldn’t come out.

Sebastian started looking even more nervous. He wiped his hands on his pants.

Duncan nodded, and the words finally came. “Yes, Sebastian Walker. You’ll make me the happiest husband in the world. Let’s get married.”

Sebastian leapt to his feet and into Duncan’s arms. The two kissed, for once not worried if Duncan’s family, or anyone else on the ship saw. They were together, and they always would be.

“Emil, look at them. Did you see that? They’re getting married.” Edith hurried over and hugged the two men. “This is so exciting. When will the wedding be? Emil and I will be there. I’ll try to talk that fool son of mine into coming. Maybe he’ll hit it off with one of the groomsmen.”

Duncan didn’t let go of Sebastian. Both men tried to avoid a concrete answer. “Someday. We’re not sure, but someday.”

George grumbled, “I’m already paying for a goddamn wedding. Someone ought to use it.”

Sebastian raised his eyebrows at Duncan. “What do you think?”

Every atom in Duncan’s body begged to say yes. But he worried that rushing into things might push them too fast and ultimately cause troubles later down the road. “I don’t know. It sounds crazy. How many of the people that get those quickie Vegas weddings end up staying together? Is this too quick? I don’t want to rush it and lose you. Where’d you get that ring anyway?”

“I bought it the same day I got you that watch. When you left me in the jewelry store. I didn’t know exactly when it would happen, but I knew you were the one for me. I knew I’d fight for you until I won you over. And when that happened, I wanted to be able to give you the ring that I bought during those first days when we fell in love. I’ll marry you tomorrow, but if you want to wait a little while, I’m okay with that. As long as it’s someday.”

Emil snorted. “These young kids today. I proposed to Edith the day we met. She accepted three days later. When you know you know.”

Duncan wanted to believe things were that easy, but Edith and Emil were crazy. Normal people didn’t fall in love and commit that quickly. Normal people took months between agreeing to get married and even picking a date, especially when it happened so fast.

For once, Duncan wanted to be normal.

George said, “It was the same with me and your mother. You’ve heard that story. I bought her a milkshake, and told her she was the one for me. We were married two months later, and that’s only because it took that long to find a reception hall. I’m with that old guy. If you guys know, you know. You won’t know any more or any less just because you let a few more days pass. It’s scary and magical and wonderful no matter when it happens.”

Katey chimed in. “Waiting isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Jason and I had talked about it a couple times, but it wasn’t until the pregnancy test results came back that Jason finally agreed. Don’t wait for some fake event. If you love each other, love each other. Simple as that.”

Duncan did love Sebastian. Duncan did know that he wanted to be with Sebastian forever. Duncan found he didn’t care what other people thought was an appropriate amount of time to wait for a wedding.

“Okay, let’s have a wedding.”

Sebastian jumped into his arms and hooked his legs around his hips. They kissed for several seconds. Duncan’s love for Sebastian blocked out the rest of the world until he heard his dad clear his throat.

“So the wedding’s tomorrow. What do you guys have planned for the rest of the day?”

Duncan realized he only had one more day of being a free man.

He wished it were less. He didn’t want to wait another second before it was official.