Free The Trials of Gregg by Stephani Hecht

the first kiss, and he thought that one had been terrific. This one was off the Richter scale.
    Once they finally broke apart, Gregg asked, “Why didn’t you say anything sooner?”
    “I was going to tell you the day of the battle, but the time didn’t seem right.”
    “And now it does?”
    John gave him a crooked smile. “Yeah, I guess so.”
    “Are you sure you’re not just saying that because you feel sorry for the poor basket case with a dysfunctional family?” Gregg asked, hoping with all his heart that wasn’t the case.
    “No, that’s not it at all. I’ve wanted you from the moment I saw you, and my feelings for you have only grown stronger the more I’ve gotten to know you.” John once again cupped Gregg’s face.
    Gregg couldn’t help but rub his cheek against John’s hand. He’d gone without affection for so long that it felt great to finally get some. Add to that the affection was from John of all people, and it made it all the better.
    “Would you believe me if I told you I felt the same way about you?” Gregg asked.
    “Not only would I believe you, but I would be one of the happiest men in the world.”
    Gregg felt a moment of joy before it came crashing down. Even if he and John did develop a relationship and it went somewhere, they could never be mates in the true sense. At least not until Tiffy was old enough to move out on her own.
    John must have realized what Gregg was thinking, because he said, “Don’t worry about that. We’ll figure out a way that we can be together and still protect Tiffy.”
    “But how?” Gregg asked, feeling more helpless as ever.
    “I don’t know yet, but we’ll think of something. That, I can promise you.”
    Gregg wanted to believe him so bad. That there was going to be a happy ending somewhere soon, but Gregg’s life had been full of so many roadblocks that he didn’t dare have hope.
    “Why don’t we go get some breakfast, and we can talk about it?” John suggested.
    Gregg smiled, some alone time with John was exactly what he needed at that moment. “That sounds perfect.”
    They left the training area and were just walking through the main part of the building when they heard the laughter. Despite the early hour, a small group of people had gathered around somebody and were having a good time watching the show that they were putting one.
    Gregg’s stomach clenched in dread, even though he had a sneaking suspicion who was the center of attention, he still needed to see for himself. Moving forward, he pushed his way through the crowd until he was at the front.
    What he saw confirmed his suspicions. His father was there, full-out drunk, and he was putting on a performance that would make the best clown in the business proud. He was trying to walk, but he kept tipping forward. He would get up on all fours until his ass was in the air, balance for a few minutes, then try to stand. Once he was upright, he would windmill his hands several times as he tried to get his bearings before he would finally get stable enough to give the crowd a big victory smile. The crowd would then give him a round of applause. Then Gregg’s dad would take another step forward, fall over, and the whole process would start again.
    Gregg felt sick to his stomach. This was his father. The man that he was supposed to be able to look up to. The one that he was supposed to go to when he had problems. The one who should guide him through life. He sure as hell wasn’t supposed to be the butt of the coalition’s joke.
    Finally, Gregg couldn’t take it anymore, and he took a step forward. “Here, Dad. Let me help you.”
    His father shrugged off Gregg’s touch. “I got it. I don’t need help from the likes of you. I’m a real man. I know how to walk, damn it.”
    “You could have fooled me,” John said.
    Gregg’s father squinted at John, then let out a snort. “Who is this? Your latest boyfriend? Or is he just a fuck buddy?”
    At that moment, Gregg could have curled up