Ann Grech [Grech - In Safe Arms (My Truth Book 2)

When a damaged man stumbles on a second chance, its all too easy to turn and run. It takes a determined photographer to convince him risk is worth it all.

People deserve a second chance, right? How about a third or fourth?

But what if I cant even admit to myself who I am? I was truthful once before. I came out to one other person, and he left me broken and scarred. He destroyed the boy I was. I dont even use the same name anymore; I go by Trent now. But I survived the streets. I got lucky and I made something of myself. Im happy, sort of.

Its Angelo who lights up my life. Hes my world. My rock and my family. Hes always there for me. But I keep hurting him. I say stupid things, and I always keep him at a distance. Still, he knows me better than anyone.

And I want him. But I cant let myself go there. Not again.

Ive lived in denial for so long and its killing me. In my weakest moments, I reach for Angelo and when he slips into my arms, I can breathe. Hes my solace. Selflessly, hes there and he never expects anything in return. No judgment, not even an explanation. Having him in my arms is everything, and its getting harder to push him away. Im not sure I want to anymore.

He doesnt date, but he deserves to be loved. Cherished. Then he drops a bombshellhes found The One. I wish hed fallen for me. I need that second chance to tell him. I need to risk it all because in his arms, Im safe. Im me.

Keir / Trent

Yes, yes! Hes over the line! Parata scores his second try of the night, the excited commentator called through the television. Its volume was set to blaring, but it couldnt compete with the cheering my godfather and I were letting loose. On my feet, fisted hands up in the air, I celebrated our side scoring. Elation filled me and I whooped excitedly. We can do it. We can win. Paratas six points left me riding a high. Itd been a nail biter of a game, the score going down to the wire. Five more minutes left before the final buzzer. It was enough time for the other side to score if they got a move on, but we were going to win. I could feel it. Nothing could go wrong.

Our goal kicker lined up, and I held my breath. He was standing dead center. All he had to do was kick straight and another two points would be added to our teams score. Could we extend our lead to four points? I knew we could. We had this. Come on. His powerful legs worked in a practiced motion, and I watched enraptured as every muscle flexed and contracted. Our kickers legs were F. I. N. E. But I couldnt be distracted by that; it was the match-winning point. His boot connected with a thwap and the ball sailed into the air. As if it were in slow motion, I watched the ball travel on a high arc toward its destination. With every millisecond that passed, it neared the posts. It was straight. It was true. It was perfect.

Conversion, yelled the commentator as my breath came out in a jubilant shout.

Punching the air, I yelled, Heck, yeah. I was careful with the language I used around my parents and godfather. Theyd clipped me across the back of the head enough times that I naturally curbed my swearing around them. My godfather, Ryan, and I high-fived each other, and we each took a swig from our bottles of beer. It was the first one hed ever given me, but Id drunk it before at parties and with mates. I cringed as the yeasty flavor hit my tongue and knew I wouldnt be able to stomach the rest unless I chugged it. I may not have liked the taste, but I wasnt going to say no to beer. What sixteen- nearly seventeen-year-old would? Friday night football was our thing. Our tradition had always been popcorn and soda, so his offering me beer was like saying welcome to manhood.

The cheerleaders came out onto the field and shook their booties, kicking their legs up high and waving their pom-poms around to celebrate the score. Now thats a sight to see, isnt it? Ryan leered as he watched the girls like a dog eyeing a bone. It was so typically himalways blunt and mostly inappropriatebut he was a good guy. He was my fathers best friend and a second dad to me. Hed helped raise me. He was the guy I could always count on to fix things when shit was going wrong. Hed help take me to practice or to games and come collect me when Mom or Dad were late. He fed me when money was tight at home and stopped the bullies at school in their trackswalking through the schoolyard with a giant truck wrench would do that.

I followed Ryan into the kitchen to dump our empty bottles in the bin, the glass clinking against the others Ryan had drunk as I let it go, while Ryan grabbed another for him and a soda for me. I was relieved, but he must have mistaken my look as disappointment when he passed me the bottle. Ones enough, bro. Youve already got a buzz going.

Yeah, I do. I gave him a small smile and turned to glance at the television again. More cheerleadersthey were most teenaged boys dream, but not me. I was keeping a secret. I looked away and cracked open my can of soda, slipping it into a neoprene cooler. It was a nice designChris Hemsworth dressed as Thor.

Whats goin on, Keir? You not interested in them? Ryan pointed his bottle to the television, and I knew Id been busted. I was usually better at hiding my disinterest. I would stare mindlessly at the beautiful women so my mates and my brod up dad and godfather wouldnt figure out my secret.

The high I was riding from my team scoring jarred to a screeching halt. My pulse leaped, and my heart beat hard against my rib cage. Thud. Thud. I should tell him. I wanted to. I hated keeping a secret, but I was scared. How would he react? How would Dad? Id heard them insult people like me before, but it was just because they didnt know. I was sure theyd change, that theyd realize how wrong they were to judge. After all, thats what we learned in church every weekend, wasnt it? Dont judge? Our church was pretty progressiveat least it wasnt one of those fire and brimstone places were the priest shouted about how evil the gays wereso I knew itd all be okay. I just needed to figure out how to break the news to my dad, to ease him into the idea that his boy was gay.