Following the Rules (The Script Club 1)

This house was ours, and he wanted to rebuild it to our specifications. Office space for both of us, a huge master, walk-in closet, a family-style kitchen, an herb-and-vegetable garden in the backyard, and whatever trees I wanted in the front. We were now in the final stages and I had to admit, it was going to be amazing.

We’d spent the past six months trading off nights at each other’s houses. We had all the privacy we wanted in Malibu, but our lives were in Pasadena. Our family, friends, jobs, school, etcetera. This was home.

Simon decided to finish his degree, though he changed his major to business. He wasn’t sure what he wanted to do after he graduated, but he had a couple of years to decide and a lucrative side gig flipping houses. Oh yeah, and he’d taken a job as an assistant track-and-field coach at his old high school.

I was a bit surprised, but when he started to think of life goals in terms of what he was passionate about, running was at the top of his list. Of course, football was too, but he wasn’t willing to commute for a coaching gig. He wanted to stay local and be a queer role model for teens at his alma mater. It was his way of embracing the LGBTQ community and giving back where he could.

For a guy who was newly out of the closet, he’d come a long way in a short amount of time. When his retirement was formally announced, the sports world didn’t pay much attention. He wasn’t a household name, and it wasn’t unusual for a player in his position to retire after sustaining an injury. Sharing his story with an LGBTQ publication changed that.

That “coming out” article went viral. His name was all over the Internet for a month around the holidays. Simon didn’t mind at all.

As he said at the time, “You know, it’s just a story, Christopher. It’s special to me because it’s how I met the most important person in my life. If sharing my story helps anyone who questions their talent, their place, or their worth, I’m all for it. My family and friends love me. Hell, your parents and grandparents love me too. But as long as you love me…I’m set.”

He had nothing to worry about there. Simon had won my parents over with his usual charm and his willingness to listen to research details. And Grandpa was easier than Gran. He loved a good laugh, and he probably enjoyed finally having someone around who knew something about sports. They’d become fast friends.

Simon hadn’t hesitated to offer to help my grandparents move to an assisted living apartment when Grandpa was discharged from rehab. And of course, we visited often to get beaten at a round or two of gin rummy. Every time we drove away, Simon would take my hand and say something utterly romantic like, “I want us to be like them when we’re old.”

Yeah, I was head over heels for Simon. And very grateful for the life we’d built. I was two months away from finishing my graduate degree. The internship I’d landed at JPL last fall would become a full-time dream job this summer. I’d probably be a lot busier then, so I decided to take advantage of watching my boyfriend run while I read a book or caught up on homework. Pinch me. Life was good.

“Why do the bells chime so late here? It’s five o’clock. No one is in school now,” I remarked, noting the sexy slide of his Adam’s apple as he polished off the last of his water.

Simon shrugged. “It’s a mystery. It’s always been that way. Must be a ghost in the machine.”

I propped my head on his shoulder. “Your name is Gordon the ghostbuster, and your line is—”

“I want to suck your cock?” he offered, shifting to fuse his mouth to mine.

“Ha! Yes, exactly.” I grinned against his lips and breathed him in.

“You’re kinda nasty, aren’t you?”

“Am I?” I fluttered my lashes in surprise.

Simon’s low laughter rumbled through me when he nuzzled my neck. “Yep. Don’t change. You ready?”

I tucked my computer into its case and took his hand. He didn’t let go when we reached the grass. In fact, he tightened his hold as he headed for the parking lot and turned the conversation to dinner. Did I want to order takeout or have dinner at his parents’ house or go to the grocery store? I think there were a few other choices. I’d answer in a second or let him choose.

Right now, I wanted to remember this moment. An ordinary weekday in spring, holding hands with the man I loved, planning dinner, planning our evening, planning a future. Good things happened when you set aside the rules and followed your heart.