Page 101 of Big Britches
“Anything,” Titus said. “Name it.”
“We keep nothing from each other ever again. No matter how bad. You should have told me you were going to confront Silas.”
“You’re right. That was wrong of me. I can be bull-headed sometimes.”
Pedro tilted his head.
“Stubborn,” Titus clarified. “It’ll never happen again.”
“I’m guilty too. I was worried how you’d react to my past–the prostitution–so I kept it from you. I won’t do that again. I promise, too.”
“And you’re OK being my partner, even if I become mayor and we’re an out gay couple, living in the public eye?”
Pedro's brow lifted, his face contorting comically. “I guess I’ll have to get used to it–being Mrs. Titus Shepherd, that is—the mayor’s wife.”
“Fuck that. You’re Mr. Pedro Torres–the first gentleman. I’ll make sure everyone knows it, too.”
“I don’t doubt it.”
“I’ll protect you, P. I won’t let anything bad ever happen to you again.”
“I believe you. We’ll live happily ever after.”
“Yes, we will.”
“But you’re forgetting one thing–my citizenship.”
“Nope,” Titus said. “I haven’t forgotten that at all. It’s been in the foremost of my thoughts. And since we're confessing things here—” Titus glanced at his watch. “—I have one other little thing I've been keeping from you.”
Twenty-Four
Titus began crumpling up the wrappers from their lunch and putting them into the empty bag. "That was good. I’m still hungry. You gonna finish those?"
Pedro eyed him curiously. He handed Titus the last of his fries. "So, that's it? You're going to tease me like that, and then just move on without an explanation?"
"Sorry." Titus offered a clumsy grin. He looked at his watch again. "My fault. I jumped the gun about two minutes ahead of the big reveal."
"I don't understand."
"You will."
"I'm a little worried."
"Relax." Titus said, taking Pedro’s hand. “No need to worry. I just want to propose something.”
Pedro frowned, his confused look prompting Titus to continue.
“I think I know you pretty well now. You’re a proud man. You work hard and with integrity. It’s one of the many reasons I love you. You’re not looking for a free ride. Never were. You’re only satisfied when you earn something.”
“This is true,” Pedro said. He reached out, lightly caressing Titus’s scruffy cheek. “And as handsome as you are, T, I can’t just sit around a pool with you every day, no matter how tempting.”
“I get that. Personally, I think you’ve earned it already—freedom, that is, citizenship. Working for Silas Compton for two and a half years is enough for anyone as far as I'm concerned.”
“But it's not enough for the US government.”
“Nope. And I’m powerless to change that. But it pains me to see you worry about it. Ever since the first day I met you, you’ve been skittish—about Silas, the town, the INS, what have you—and I don’t want the man I’m crazy about always looking over his shoulder.”
“I’m sorry. I just?—”