“Well…uh…gentlemen, why don’t we get inside? Don’t want to keep the others waiting…” Landon urged jovially.
“No you go ahead, I think Scott and I…”
“No. Landon’s right, “ Scott interrupted his brother cruelly. “We wouldn’t want to ruin everyone else’s evening.” And then he pushed past the other two men and went into the party room.
Keith let out a heavy sigh and ran his hand through his hair as he leaned against the wall.
“Are you alright?” Landon asked softly, keeping a respective distance from his partner.
“I never imagined my reunion with my brother would be like this…”
“Like what?”
“He didn’t know I was gay. He doesn’t know that’s the reason my father won’t speak to me…that because I’m gay, my father didn’t want me around him…And I wanted to sit down and actually build some kind of relationship with him before I told him.”
“I’m sure he was just in shock, I mean…”
“My father raised him after my parents split. That means, that my father has probably spent the better part of these last years telling him all about the evils of gay lifestyle and that under no circumstances is homosexuality tolerated.”
“Scott isn’t your father, KC. He knows I’m gay…he knew before he saw us together…”
“How do you two know each other, anyway?”
“Taylor’s his roommate. Scarlett’s best friend Brook is his ex…small world isn’t it?”
“Too small…listen, I don’t really feel like going in there right now…can you get someone to bring you home later?” Keith asked seriously.
“ KC come on…you’ll have to face him eventually,” Landon argued.
“Now isn’t the time…”
“Then I’m coming with you.”
“No you aren’t…I need to be alone. Now…can you find a way home or not?”
“Yes.”
“Good,” Keith walked away quickly.
It was Landon’s turn to let out a heavy sigh, then he walked into the private room.
“Hey sweetie…come sit by me,” Taylor smiled, the sight of him giving her heart a flutter she hadn’t felt since the first night they’d met. But he looked amazing.
Loose khakis, a tight black shirt, his dark brown curls in a ponytail with the loose pieces framing his face.
“Where’s KC?” Will asked as Landon took a seat between Taylor and Landon.
Landon couldn’t help but notice Scott’s glare as he answered, “He wasn’t up for a social evening…a lot on his mind tonight.”
“That’s too bad. But tell me, how was your meeting?” Taylor took Landon’s hand in hers under the table and gave it a reassuring squeeze.
“Really well. I think we’re gonna get to do a deal with this guy,” Will answered with a broad smile.
“Where’s Mack?” Brook asked suddenly, noticing the girl’s absence.
“Working. She was gonna try and get off, but couldn’t find anyone to cover her shift,” Hayden explained with a smile.
The conversation was light and friendly as orders were taken, and once their meals had arrived, the talk took a more introductory turn.
“Scarlett, how long have you been with Will?” Taylor asked with a smile. “How did you meet?”
“We’ve been together a year…but the story…well, to be honest it isn’t that romantic…” she blushed.
“She’s lying, it’s the most romantic story I’ve ever known…in a slightly strange and twisted way,” Will smiled at her. “The band and I had just moved in to our place, not a week before, and I was waiting at the bus stop, on my way to try and find a job. So I’m standing there, minding my business, taking in the sights, when out of nowhere comes this strung out little puppy, who, unfortunately, took a liking to my leg, if you know what I mean,” he laughed, as did everyone else. “And then, this beauty comes running full speed screaming at this dog, a leash flapping wildly in the wind behind her, and she grabbed the puppy and starts apologizing profusely, her head down, and she finally looks up at me, and I see she’s blushing right to the roots of her hair. I’ve never been swept away like that before in my life,” Will looked to his girlfriend seriously then kissed her on the cheek.
“So…while we’re on the subject of relationships and humping,” Scott spoke for the first time all evening, and looked directly at Landon. “How long you been fucking my brother, Turner?”
There was a clatter of silverware, a few intakes of breath, and Taylor choked on her drink. Landon only held his head in his hands.
“Scott what are you talking about?” Brooklynn asked wide eyed.
“Landon’s boyfriend, KC, is my brother—Keith Christian. He was here earlier but booked it after I saw the two of them together,” Scott explained, speaking as if this conversation was one any group may have at dinner.
“Landon?” Taylor looked to him for confirmation.
“Scott, I had no idea that the two of you were related. He never even told me he had a brother,” Landon looked up, defeated.
“I don’t believe that. My brother would never ignore the fact that I existed, even if he was never around for me.”
“Scott, I swear it…clearly he’s living two different lives. And what would ever make him think that those two lives would eventually collide?”
“Um…maybe this should wait until,” Hayden jumped in to keep the peace.
“Hayden, it’s alright,” Landon held up a hand and looked at Scott. “Why would I lie to you? If I knew that KC…”
“Keith,” Scott muttered through gritted teeth.
“If I knew that Keith and you were related, brothers, I wouldn’t have brought him here tonight.”
“And why not?”
“Because if I was estranged from my brother for ten years, I certainly would not want our first meeting to be throwing my alternative lifestyle in his face.”
“Whatever.”
“Look, why are you mad at me? Is it because I’m here? You have no right to be angry with me, I’ve done nothing wrong. He’s the one that walked out of your life ten years ago without a backward glance.”
“And as soon as I found out about him being gay, he ran out on you. He’s ashamed, Landon.”
Landon swallowed hard, trying to keep his anger at bay. With shaking hands, he reached for his wallet and withdrew a handful of bill which he tossed on the table.
“I hope you’ll forgive my early departure Hayden,” Landon gave a polite nod to the host. “Good night everyone,” and then he left.
Taylor threw an evil look at Scott
“You are such a child,” she spat in disgust as she rose from her seat then took off after her friend.
“Landon!...Landon, stop!...Please!” she called, catching up to him as he crossed the street.
He did stop, but wouldn’t face her.
“We don’t have to talk right now, but let me take you somewhere…you’ll catch your death out here…it’s freezing,” she told him softly to his back.
“I didn’t know, Taylor…honest to God,” he turned to her.
“I know…everyone else knows…Scott’s just upset right now.”
“He’s right, though. He may not have articulated his point as finely as I’m sure others could, but he’s right.”
“About what?”
“KC…Keith…whatever he’s going by at the moment. The minute he had the opportunity to face this head on—his brother and being gay…he ran away. He wouldn’t even look at me. He’s ashamed of who he is, which makes him ashamed of me and what we have.”
“Landon…”
“It was his idea to keep my being gay relatively quiet. Said it would boost my image, gave us a better chance at making if girls in the audience that they might get to bed the boy in the band…I’ve never had a problem admitting who I am.”
“I don’t know what to say to you, Lan…I don’t really know where you’re going with this.”
“I don’t either…let’s go someplace…you’re right. It’s freezing.”
Back inside, and uncomfortable silence had settled over the table. Only Scott seemed unperturbed.
“Um…I think we’re gonna call it a night. Thank you, Hayden,” Will stood and Scarlett followed suit. The men shook hands and Will left for than enough for his and his girlfriend’s meals, then they left.
The three old friends remained at the table
“Why did you do that?” Brooklynn questioned her ex quietly.
“It was a simple question…I mean, we were on the subject and I was curious,” Scott answered innocently.
“It was inappropriate, Scott…and you know it,” Hayden reprimanded patiently.
“Okay, so maybe I was just a little bit crass and rude. Can you blame me? I was still trying to grasp the concept that Landon was a homo, but wait, let’s throw in that my brother’s also a homo, and, wait for it, here’s the kicker…they’re being homos TOGETHER!” Scott fired back.
“You can’t be mad at Landon. He’s caught in the middle. He couldn’t have know,” Brooklynn reasoned.
“Whatever…can you guys gimme a ride home?”
“Yeah,” Hayden nodded with an exasperated sigh. ‘It never ends,’ he thought to himself hopelessly.