Preached By My Neighbor (LGBT/18+)

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Wesly Bennett

Dex left the house, said that he needed to fix something and have a talk with his wife. I didn't stop him. Although I swore that I would never give him back today. I failed. It's Dex's decision.

In every way, Dex will have to go home in his family, in his wife's arms. The words he had said to me while we were making love struck me like a lightning, giving me scars that will be forever etched in my heart.

Why would I disagree with Dex's decisions, even if it hurts me? Because somehow, I know that he'll be back in my arms someday.

But everything is wrong with us.

The people's words ring in my ears, singing an awful melody that keeps replaying in my head like a broken CD stuck in a player. I can feel my eyes watering from the words.

Which words have the most effect on me? Dex's words or the people's words.

I try to reconsider Dex's words. But his own words, before he confessed his undying love to me, scarred me. He said he'd preach, teach me the words of God. About homosexuals and sins and shits.

Yesterday's event made me feel exhausted and s**t. So today, since I don't have something to do for the rest of the day, I decide that I'll go to the mall and just stroll around, buy myself some new stuffs, eat foods, have fun by playing games. Anything to make me forget about Dex for a while.

I head to my room, grab some clothes; a white button-up shirt, faded jeans, and a black converse, and step into the shower.

+++

The mall is full of people, wandering around the mall. The aroma of coffee hits my nose and I have to resist the urge to drink because I know I'd stay and never have a chance to stroll.

Someone bumps me and when I look back, he glares at me. What the heck? He's the one who bumped, and he's angry? I roll my eyes at him and continue to walk, looking at the stores.

My eyes trail to the man who is hugging his, I assume, his wife. That's the right thing to do. I know what to do. Their child runs at them and the young guy hugs his parents' legs. The man chuckles at his child and the wife just smiles at them.

My stomach grumbles. My feet walk to its own accord and in a minute, I'm standing in the front of a Italian restaurant. The smells of food, combined in one, are so good it makes me smile a dreamy one. When I enter, I search for an empty seat, and when I found one, I immediately take a seat.

A woman in her early 20s comes to me and hands me a menu. She asks me if I want a water and I tell her yes. She leaves me and my eyes roam at the foods listed on the menu.

There's a tap on my shoulder and I look up, only to meet the person who haunted me in my dreams. The one that I've caused.

Jarrod is standing in front of me, smiling, like he has already forgotten what I've done to him. I didn't know thay he's really serious at forgiving me when we have met inside the bathroom ages ago. My chest tightens at the sight of him. The memories of what I've done to him come flashing in my mind like a show being broadcast on the TV. I massage my temple and Jarrod asks me if I'm okay. I nod at him. I can't believe he's here.

"So, would you like to... join us?" He says hesitantly as he looks at me.

I used to look at those eyes very lovingly. I used to admire him. I search in his eyes, of any hints of hatred and pain. There is not. Only happiness and love. He gives me a hopeful smile and I nod at him, my hands trembling. I stand up from my seat and Jarrod leads me to his table. His table has 3 persons on it. I don't know the other 3. When my eyes land on the guy beside me, I've met Jarrod's eyes. The very same eyes I used to love. This person resembles Jarrod in every way. His cheeksbones, his lips, his brows, the way it furrows. It's his son. It's Jarrod's son.

"Uh guys, I'd like to you to meet my best friend," Jarrod says. I look up at him. Best friend. I nearly laugh at that. After all what I've done, he still treats me as his 'best friend'. But then it's in the nature of Jarrod to always forgive, to leave the past behind, to always be caring, to always love. It's his nature. "This is Wesly. We were best friend since diapers. Wesly, meet my son, Jared, this is Ajax, and this man is Tyler."

Tyler is such a piece of meat. He meets my eyes and gives me a smile. God. What a good sight. Ajax offers his hand and I shake it. Jared does the same. I just nod at Tyler.

I take a seat beside Jarrod.

"So, Wesly, what do you do?" Tyler asks me as he searches for food on his menu. Jared releases a moan and I arch an eyebrow at me.

"Stop that sexually harassing my son, Tyler!" Jarrod yells in a whisper as he glares at Tyler. Tyler just smirks at him and sticks his tongue out. Ajax sniggers at them and Jarod gives Ajax a death glare.

Wait, what? Jared is gay? Tyler is his boyfriend? I scrunch my nose up in a confusion and bury my face on the menu as I try to think. Jarrod must have noticed my confusion because he pats me on the shoulder and laughs.

"Tyler is Jared's boyfriend." He states. And the hottest couple award goes to them.

"Stop that, Tyler!" Jared hisses at Tyler, who is busy ignoring him. I look at Tyler and notice his arm is moving. And it's connected to... never mind. Tyler bites his bottom lip as his eyes fill with lust. Jared flushes and buries his face on Tyler's chest. Cute.

"Hormonal people," Ajax mutters as he continues to laugh.

"You're the one to talk," Jared says as he wiggles his brows at Ajax. Ajax blushes and tries to cover it with his hands. Jarrod laughs at that. "Um, Ajax, why does your back always hurt? Mind telling us?"

"Shut up, Red!" Ajax says as he blushes furiously. I snigger at them and Ajax throws me a glare. I give him an innocent smile. The waitress asks us for our orders, and we give it to her.

Jared and Ajax keep throwing s****l remarks as Tyler watches them. Jarrod just laughs at them and I excuse myself, telling them that I'll just go to the bathroom.

Washing my hands in the sink, the bathroom door opens and Jarrod steps in. He gives me a smile as he walks towards me. There's a silence for a minute.

"I'm sorry," I say, staring at my wet hands sadly.

"It's already in the past, Wes." Jarrod says as he places a hand on my shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze.

"I was being selfish, and I've made the biggest mistake of my life." I say, almost a whisper. "I always get nightmares because of what I've done. And Jarrod, I'm really sorry. Really, really, really sorry. I know that sorry isn't enough. But it's all I have to offer."

"It's okay, Wes." He says softly as he rubs my back. I almost want to cry for the kindness he's showing at me. I never deserve this. Yet, here he is, doing me a favor. "What matter is, you're sorry and you regret what you've done. You're still my best friend; my best buddy. So is there a man in your life?"

"No one," I lie, mumbling. It isn't a complete life. Dex isn't mine. Dex doesn't belong with me. Eventually, he'll choose his family over me. Because it's right and I'm wrong.

"Ah, let's go, my boyfriend is waiting."

"What?" I ask, my head snapping at his direction. He laughs and I narrow my eyes at him suspiciously.

"Ajax is my boyfriend, now come on."

What the heck? Jarrod is gay and in a relationship with a man? How did this happen? When did this happen? I stare at him, dumbfounded, my jaw nearly dropped on the floor. Is he being serious?

"You're gay?" I ask, gaping like a fish.

"Yes, suck it up, Wes." He says, chuckling as he leaves the bathroom.

We head back at our table and see the foods are already on our table. Ajax is Jarrod's boyfriend. I didn't expect the news. s**t.

My mind wanders to Dex's happy face. The way he smiles, the way he looks at me, his beautiful voice. Eventually, I'll have to leave him. Eventually, I'll be alone again. Eventually, I'll be broken again.

Dex gave me a hope never have I thought I'd see. He gave me a new life. My eyes water at the thought and I brush it away. Jarrod asks me if there's something wrong and I just shake my head, telling him that it's just a dust stuck in my eyes.

This time, I'll do the right thing.

And that is to let go of Dexter Evans.