Page 6 of Blue Gold

He snapped his fingers. “Yes! That’s it.” He laughed. “What an odd name. I mean, why not call it for what it is: a foot ball? The whole point of the game is to kick the ball.”

Once again, I got lost in the sound of his voice as he continued to tell me about his favorite team and players. The enthusiasm with which he spoke drew me into the conversation. With hand gestures accompanying his melodic words and giggles here and there, it was impossible to take my eyes off him, and I continued listening with a simple smile on my face. But in the brief second I took my eyes away from Elliot and caught John’s stare in the rearview mirror, I realized my mistake. With how I’d been staring at Elliot thus far, like a man who’d found his purpose, there was no mistaking my desire. Therefore, I dropped my smile and tore my eyes away from Elliot, no matter how much I wanted to do otherwise. After all, I couldn’t afford to expose myself so blatantly. Yes, I trusted John, but not enough for him to know my secret. A secret that no one but me could ever discover, because if a mere tattoo nearly gave my parents a heart attack, how would they react if they knew their eldest son was gay?

2

DANIEL

I might be gay, but I’d never done much regarding this slight inconvenience. My experience summed up to a limited number of encounters behind closed doors back in high school and my early college years. They were all brief, yet just enough to confirm what I already knew: I loved men. Or at least, I was attracted to them, as I’d never been in love before.

Thus far, I’d had no issues with restraining my sexual urges, and on most days, I pushed those thoughts away, as they had no place in my life. No man had ever stayed in my mind longer than a few hours, and I often found myself annoyed by most people. That was, until last Monday, when I came across a certain Frenchman who hadn’t left my mind since. There I was, three days later, still running our conversation over in my head, the pleasant memory not giving me a break.

“Is this where you work?” I asked Elliot once John pulled the car in front of a small bistro. From what I could tell through the heavy rain, the place looked cozy, with a neon Open sign shining over the front door.

“Yes. The owner is French and very nice,” he said.

Pressing my lips together, I considered my next move. I knew it was time to say our goodbyes, probably forever, but the greedy part of me wished to steal one more moment from his precious life.

“John, please give us some privacy,” I told my driver in English, who got out of the car despite the pouring rain.

Once the door closed behind him, I turned my attention back to Elliot.

“Please tell me you have a proper coat at home.” I switched back to French so he would understand.

His lips quirked up into a confident smile. “I do, don’t worry. It’s just that the sky was blue when I left the house this morning, so I didn’t think it would rain.”

My brows knitted close because, when thinking about it, I didn’t notice the color of the sky, even though I’d had a long run this morning.

“Blue, you say?”

“So blue.”

I wondered if it was the same as his eyes. If so, what a shame I didn’t look up at the sky.

Silence spread between us until he sighed.

“I should go now, or I’ll be late.” He rubbed his wrist before looking me straight in the eyes, such a kind expression on his face. “I work every day of the week except Saturday, and I finish my shift at seven. Please come again so I can thank you with dinner.”

Warmth flushed through my body at the fresh memory, and I smiled, thinking back on how beautiful he looked just before he’d gotten out of my car. If only I could go there right now…

“For God’s sake, Daniel, what are you doing standing over there with that stupid smile?” My father’s voice jolted me back, and I looked at where he was standing by the bar. “Come here and pour us both a drink.”

We were currently in the lounge of his favorite gentleman’s club in the city.

Doing as I was told, I moved over there while he lit himself a cigar. I hated the strong stench yet didn’t say a word as I grabbed two glasses and a bottle of scotch. Father’s eyes tracked my every move as I placed ice inside the crystal glasses and was ready to pour the⁠—

“Have you lost your mind?” He snapped the bottle from my hand before pushing me aside. “Pouring scotch over ice? What are you, some fairy?” He huffed and grabbed two new glasses, which he quickly filled before shoving one at my chest. “Now, come. I have much to talk about.”

Used to his slurs, I didn’t even bother to get offended and instead followed him to sit on the leather chairs by the window. Still with his cigar, Father took a deep puff before blowing out the thick smoke.

“Your mother’s birthday is coming up next month,” he said while swirling the drink in his other hand. “I want you to organize a party.”

I placed my glass on the table beside me, as I didn’t tend to drink at 11:00 a.m., and leaned back on the chair. “I thought Andrew and Catherine were planning one.”

Father’s jaw tensed with displeasure. “Oh, please, as if your brother and sister are capable of doing anything right.” He clicked his tongue in disapproval. “Your brother has the face of an idiot and the capability of one, while your sister?” He sipped from his drink, his firm jaw twisting. “Thankfully, she’s pretty and would make a good wife one day. But until that happens, all she does is waste her time and my money on worthless boys.”

While I wasn’t particularly close to my younger brother and sister, I didn’t share my father’s opinion of them. Andrew might have been a little bit scattered, but the guy was in med school, studying to be a doctor. And Catherine? She was a bit immature, I’d give my father that, but she was only twenty-one—practically a baby. So I wasn’t surprised that all she cared about was dating and makeup. And texting. She sure loves her texting.

“Thankfully, raising children wasn’t a complete waste of my time, as it gave me you,” Father went on, a sour look on his strict face as if he’d sucked on a lemon. “If only your siblings were half the person you are, I would have been grateful.” He placed his glass aside only to rub his temple with a deep sigh. “I know I don’t say it much, but you’re my greatest pride, Daniel. The only reason I’m tough on your siblings is that they will never match you, and it brings me great sorrow.”