Twisted Read Online Free PDF Page A

for dinner. It was my turn to cook. I figured I’d go the easy route and take Mike out to dinner. I was certain he’d be HIV negative, so we could celebrate. Today was our day off from working out or skiing, and I was looking forward to a relaxing evening with Mike. I knew that those were gonna be few and pretty far in between once the dudes started coming.
    I had my head in the freezer when I heard someone knocking at the door. That was unusual. Normally the folks who visit the ranch would just poke their heads in the back door and yell hello. I walked over to the door. A man was standing there. He seemed to be in his fifties, with dark brown hair, brown eyes, and a few inches shorter than my six feet. I opened the door and greeted him.
    “Hi, what can I do for you?”
    “Hello, I was looking for Mike Guidry. Is he here?” When he spoke, it was a peculiar accent, kind of like a mix of the South and Brooklyn.
    “He had some business to attend to in Wenatchee. I don’t expect him back for a couple of hours. I’m Jeff Connelly, Mike’s partner. Can I help you?” There was something familiar about him, but I couldn’t place it.
    “I really need to speak with Mike. I’m his father.” My mouth must have dropped open. I know I was surprised. Normally I can be pretty poker faced, but seeing Mike’s father here after hearing so many horrible things about him really threw me for a loop.
    “To be real frank with ya, I’m not sure if he’ll want to speak with you.”
    “He must have told you about me.” He smiled a humorless, sad smile. “I can understand why he wouldn’t. I really need to tell him I’m sorry for what I did to him.”
    That wasn’t what I expected to hear at all. I also didn’t know what to do. Mike had told me about the nightmare of his teen years and how his father had mistreated him. But the man was here and wanting to apologize to Mike. I wanted to protect my buddy, but if he did want to talk with his father, I’d support him. If he wanted to kick the shit outta him, I’d support him in that too.
    “Yeah, he did tell me about you. If he wants to speak with you, it’s his business. I reckon you might as well come in and have a cup of coffee and wait for him.”
    “Thank you, Jeff.” He walked in and stuck out his hand. I hesitated but then shook it.
    “Have a seat, and I’ll make some coffee.” He took off his coat and hung it on the back of one of the chairs at the kitchen table. I put the coffeepot on.
    “I read about you in one of the magazine articles. If he told you about me, I would guess what he said wasn’t flattering. It’s true, also. What I did to Mike was one of the most horrible things anyone could ever have done. I don’t think a day has gone by that I haven’t regretted it. I just want to tell him I’m sorry.” I stared at him. I could see his resemblance to Mike.
    “I don’t know that he’ll even listen, but I reckon it wouldn’t hurt for ya to try.”
    “How long have the two of you been together?”
    “About three months now.”
    “I saw the pictures of you two in the magazine articles and in the co-op in town. You both look very happy.”
    “We are. My dad said we’re two sides to the same coin. Mike and I just hit it off when we met. He’s not only my partner, but he’s my best friend.”
    “I can see that, Jeff. When you speak about him, your face just lights up. I’m glad to see that he’s found someone special. No one should have to be alone.”
    “It don’t bother you that he’s with another man?”
    He smiled that sad, humorless smile again. “No. What I did to Mike was horrible. It was way beyond horrible. It took my doing something that low and cruel to show me that I was wrong. There’s not been a day that’s gone by I haven’t tortured myself over it, and I deserve that torture. I’ve come to realize that love in any form is truly a gift from God. How did you and Mike meet?”
    “I came back here for my dad’s funeral. Dad