Read Online A Good Enough Reason by C.M. Lievens - Free Book Online Page A

with all the different sexualities. Who cares what and who you do in your bed, right?” Dale gave Ellis a cheeky grin, and Ellis’s gaze dropped to his hands.
    He suppressed a smile. “I wish everyone would think that.”
    “Nah, it would be boring.”
    Ellis looked up and arched a brow. “Really? It would be boring if I didn’t have to hear homophobic insults just about every day? If I didn’t have people judging me for something I can’t help, without even knowing me?” He tried to keep his voice low, but anger seeped through in his tone.
    “That’s not what I meant, Ellis, and you know it. Don’t take your anger out on me.”
    Ellis splayed his hands on the scarred surface of the table. “Sorry.” It wasn’t Dale’s fault. It wasn’t anyone’s fault but the bigots, the ones who wielded the insults and slurs like weapons. “I wish I could be myself without worrying I’ll be shunned, beaten, or disowned.”
    “Your parents don’t know?”
    “That I’m—that I’m gay?” Ellis had said it out loud only twice in his life, and it was only after Matt had confessed the same thing to Ellis. The second time had been to Dale. He’d never even told Anna. She knew, of course, but it had been more implied than anything. Telling Dale had been scary, even though Dale already knew and clearly had no problem with it. Admitting it made it feel so much more real, like little else had since that day with Matt.
    “Yeah.”
    Ellis shook his head and kept his gaze fixed on his hands. “I don’t know how they’d react.”
    “Do they talk about it?” Dale’s voice was gentle, as if he were trying not to spook Ellis. “About gay rights and stuff like that? Do you know what they think about it?”
    “Yeah, more or less. I know they’re actually in favor of gay marriage and adoption, but… I’m still scared. They might react differently because I’m their son, because it wouldn’t be something abstract anymore, you know?”
    Ellis didn’t see any movement until Dale’s hand was already on his. He squeezed. “I don’t know them, but you should have more faith. They obviously don’t think anything bad about homosexuality, and why should that change for you? If anything, it should make them more accepting of who you are.”
    Ellis couldn’t answer, not when Dale’s hand was still on his. This was the most intimate contact Ellis had ever had with another guy who wasn’t his best friend, who wasn’t Matthew.
    Dale’s hand was dry and warm, and the skin was a little rough but not too much. It made Ellis’s stomach squirm, and not in an unpleasant way.
    Of course Ellis’s lack of response made Dale realize what he was doing. He snatched his hand away and looked around to see if anyone had seen them. Ellis wanted to be angry with him for that, but he couldn’t.
    He understood. Being partnered with Ellis, or even being his friend, was one thing, but being caught actually touching him was completely different. Ellis didn’t want to lose the tentative friendship they were building just for a bit of comfort.
    He cleared his throat and wished the embarrassing moment would pass. “So, why don’t we make a list of reasons people are against homosexuality?”
    “Umm, yeah.” Dale grabbed his pen. “First one is obviously religion.”
    “How about it’s not natural?”
    “If God or nature had wanted two men to be together, they’d have made it possible for them to have kids?”
    “Which one are you going to use in your part of the essay?”
    Dale grimaced. “I don’t know. I’ll probably have to use more than one, but I don’t want to focus on gay rights in general. I think we should keep the focus on how same-sex couples are treated in regard to prom.”
    “I’ll help you.”
    Dale looked surprised. “With what?”
    “With the research you need to write it.”
    “You don’t have to do it.”
    “Mr. Shea said he wanted us to work together as much as possible.”
    “Yeah, but I don’t want