best mate for about a decade so I’ve always known he was gay, before we were even really close. As the other guys came into the group and he told them all once they knew him a bit, they were all fine except Seth. It took him about a week to get his head around it. Then he manned up and asked Rafe outright if he fancied him and had he looked at his dick in the changing room or at the urinal. Rafe pissed himself laughing, said ‘Fuck no! You’re too short for me and why would I want to watch you having a piss?’ And that was it, sorted.”
I smile, I love that they just accept him as he is. I have straight guy friends but not this close, nothing like this. Louise is my best friend, way to fit the stereotype Matthew, gay man with a girl as a best friend. I wish I could be closer to my brother but he’s a dick and a total homophobe, the irony of that is that when I came out to my parents they said it was Michael that they thought was gay.
“That was a great night, thank you for coming to meet them.” Rafe is a bit drunk and seems really happy as he holds my hand on the walk back to his flat.
“I enjoyed it, thanks for asking me to come. They’re great guys.” I smile as I think about the brilliant evening that we’ve had.
“They are. They love you.” Rafe takes a deep breath in and I think for a second that he’s going to say that he does too, but he reconsiders. Apparently he’s not ready either.
One More Week
Rafe
Day Twenty One - Friday
“You took your time!”
We’re literally only five minutes late picking Pippa up but she’s eager to get to the fight night. Topless sweaty men in shorts…actually yeah, we better hurry!
“You look great Pip!” A compliment always calms her down,
“Thank you, babe. Hey Matthew, it’s great to see you again.” Pip leans in between the front seats and kisses us each on the cheek before settling back and putting her seatbelt on.
“Mmmmm I love the smell of muscle rub in the evening.” Pip walks in to the arena, flicks her hair over her shoulder and takes a deep breath in. “Right, come on then Mr English, you can buy me a drink! Good luck Rafe, love you!” She leans in and kisses me on the cheek, followed by Matthew and they head off towards the bar.
Danny won his fight, and it was a great fight to be fair. I couldn’t be more proud. I’m excited to go and find the gruesome twosome and gush about my student’s win.
“Rafe.”
I recognise the voice from behind me and all of the hairs on my body stand on end.
“Please Rafe, can we talk.”
I turn calmly and lay my eyes on Mark for the first time in almost four months.
“I don’t really think that’s a good idea Mark. I have to go.” I turn and start to make my way towards the bar.
“Rafe please...I’ve left Laura, it’s over. Can we start over? Please…Just please forgive me… I love you.”
I stop in my tracks. What? It takes a moment before I turn around to look Mark in the eyes.
“Mark, go home to your wife. You made a mistake and so did I. We can’t start over Mark, I’m sorry but I don’t love you. I have a boyfriend who I am head over heels in love with so there’s really nothing more for me to say. Learn to appreciate what you have Mark, I certainly do.”
I turn to walk away and am immediately pulled into a kiss, Matthew’s big hands on either side of my face.
“Did you mean that?”
“Of course, I more than appreciate you.”
“I mean that you’re head over heels in love with your boyfriend?”
I smile,
“Oh, yes…every word! Sorry if that’s too soon but I …”
“I love you Rafe.”
In an instant I’m lost in his kiss, it’s full of love and there’s a lump in my throat from the strength of my feelings for him.
“Oh god, put him down!” Pip laughs and brings both Matthew and I to our senses, “Shall we go for a pint then?”
“Yes Pip,” I laugh, “come on.” I pull a smiling Matthew gently by
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