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“It gets even better. Beck’s uncle lives in the city and she already called him to ask if we could stay there for the night. We’re going to drive in on Friday, go to the concert that night at the Bowery Ballroom, then come home Saturday.”
    Scott’s eyes lit up, then a slight expression of concern crossed his face. “I have to run it by my parents to make sure I can go.”
    Derek beamed. “Already taken care of. I called your mom before I bought the tickets and after Beck had checked with her uncle to make sure we had a place to crash. Shannon already said it’s fine.” Derek had grown to like Shannon, Scott’s mother, a great deal ever since she stood up to Scott’s father. Scott’s father had come down hard on Scott for one poor grade their senior year, forcing him into a house arrest and one of the worst depressions of his life. It had been Shannon’s actions of talking to Derek’s mother and then standing up to her husband, ending Scott’s punishment, which had brought them together again. Shannon had done so because she was worried about how depressed Scott had become, unaware that her actions also opened the door for them to rekindle their relationship and helped them to become closer than ever.
    “Thank you Derek. If you had to get me a gift, I’m glad it was something we can enjoy together. I don’t know how I got so lucky to have someone as incredible as you as a boyfriend.”
    Derek never liked it when Scott said things like that. It suggested he didn’t know how wonderful he was or that he deserved the best. Although he wasn’t going to bring it up right now, he was going to do everything he could to help Scott finally see himself for who he was, a sensitive, kind, and giving person who appreciated life. “Scott, we’re both lucky.” He leaned in and gave Scott a quick kiss.
    As their mouths sealed together, a mixture of bliss and worry filled Derek. He was thrilled Scott was excited for the trip, but the lingering self-doubt that Scott wanted to keep their relationship a secret, constantly reared its head. There was no question in his mind that it was the years of succumbing to his father’s commanding nature that caused Scott to doubt his own worth. Most likely, it was the same thing that made him uncomfortable about opening up about being gay and together as a couple. The thought rankled, like pouring salt on a cut, but now wasn’t the time to address it. Sinking deeper into the kiss, he wrapped his arms around Scott and leaned in. As their tongues twirled against each other, his errant thoughts drifted from his mind, as if carried away on a light breeze. All that mattered right now was that he was in the arms 22
    D.H. Starr

    Wrestling With Love
    of the man he loved and that they were heading to New York together. Anything else could be addressed at another time.

    23
    D.H. Starr

    Wrestling With Love
    Chapter Two

    On Friday, Scott was bouncing around his room like a ping-pong ball, grabbing everything he could think of that he might need for their trip. Derek, thrilled to see Scott so happy and excited, sat on his bed, watching him with amusement. When he finished packing, he had filled a suitcase. “I wonder if I thought of everything.”
    Derek got up from Scott’s bed. “We’re going for one night. You couldn’t possibly need even one-third of whatever you’ve packed in there.”
    Scott looked at the suitcase, then laughed. “You know, I’m so used to packing all my stuff because of moving around so much, it’s become a habit. How about you help me choose what I need, we’ll shove it in my duffle bag, and then we can go to your house and you can put your stuff in with mine.”
    The thought of them sharing a bag for a trip seemed like a concrete image of coupledom and Derek loved the feeling of closeness it evoked in him. My God! If the simple act of putting clothes in a bag can get me all romantic and sappy, I must be whipped worse than I thought. Awesome! “Okay, what