Page 80 of Doubting Hearts

“Steady on, Rain,” Lucas chortled. “You’ve made Toby all faint now. The man looks as if he needs a stiff one.”

He laughed loudly at his wit, and Rain grinned. Just then there was a loud comment from somewhere behind me.

“Good Lord, such an open display of lust is simply disgusting. Can’t you keep it private, you two? It’s bad enough we have to put up with the whole town seeing you half-naked on stage, Rain, but doing that in public is just not on. There are children present, you know.”

Rain’s face flushed with anger as he faced Brett Manson-Cooke, one of the town councilors. He’d also been the one who’d given me a lot of trouble when we were arranging the whole fund-raising show. His thin face was red with disgust, and his tall, spare frame loomed over the people around him. He looked like some sort of malevolent crane.

“I didn’t think there was a law against kissing in a public place, Brett,” Rain said angrily. “And we’re not hurting anyone.”

Brett sneered. “I can’t believe people paid to see such a display of wanton sexual perversion in there.” He waved at the theater. “People’s morals appear to be a little skewed lately.”

Lucas stepped forward, his face mild but his tone warning. “I’d not say that too loud, Brett. There are people that might take exception to that. Especially seeing as how it was all done for a very good cause, and these two fellows volunteered to help and expected nothing in return.” He motioned toward Rain and me. I saw Simon and Luis making their way toward us through the crowd. Simon’s face was thunderous, and I guessed he’d heard Brett’s words from where he’d been standing, not far away. He reached us and stared at Brett, his eyes flinty. I could see he was about to speak, but I had something to say first.

I stepped forward. “I’m sorry you feel that way, Brett. I appreciate the pole dancing might not be everyone’s taste, but the people in there actually paid to see it. We didn’t force anyone to be there.” I felt Rain’s arm encircle my waist protectively.

Brett saw it. His eyes narrowed. “Toby, I know you’re a homosexual, but you’ve never really flaunted it, and I’ve always been grateful for that.” I heard his pompous, arrogant words with a sense of disbelief. “But since meeting Rain, I have to say you’ve become a little more—what shall we say—flamboyant. Can you blame people for getting a little more physical toward you?”

My heart lurched as I realized he was referring to Neil’s attack on me. I knew Manson-Cooke and Neil’s dad, Digger, were good friends. Rain growled behind me, and his arm round my waist tightened in his anger. I was about to reply when Simon walked up to Brett and gazed directly into his eyes. Brett stepped back, a little intimidated by Simon’s stance. Simon’s voice was sibilant when he spoke, like the hiss of a snake. It was very disconcerting and a tone I’d never heard before.

“What about me, Brett? We’ve known each other for some years, not as friends, because I really don’t like you, and I think you’re a bloody bigot. But what would you say to me if you knew I was like Toby?” His words were challenging, and I saw Luis move toward Simon. My boss’s body was taut with anger.

“You’re not one of them,” Brett spluttered. “I’d know.”

Simon grinned nastily and pulled Luis to him, planting his lips on the man’s mouth with such abandon that poor Luis staggered backward. But his hands entwined in Simon’s hair as the two men kissed passionately. I couldn’t say that whole barn hushed, as it was just too big a space for everyone to see what was happening in our small area. But certainly the immediate area around us grew silent as everyone turned to watch the blatant display of affection between two men. I thought that Simon had chosen a particularly spectacular way to come out to the town, and I felt a surge of pride at him.

Brett was looking like a guppy out of water as his thin-lipped mouth opened and closed, as if he was unable to take a breath. His horrified face made me giggle, and I couldn’t help the snort of laughter that left my mouth. That snort led to a fit of full-blown giggles, and before long I had tears streaming down my face as I laughed. Rain gazed at me in wonder, his mouth twitching, until his face creased in smiles and he was chuckling with me.

“Oh my God, Brett, your face!” I managed to splutter. “Like a bloody gobsmacked fish.” The words made me giggle more, and I held on to Rain as my sides ached from laughter. Lucas and Tammy were watching us as if we were loony. Simon had finally released his poor lover from his clutches.

Luis looked none the worse for wear. He had a triumphant grin on his face. “I have to say, Simon, that was extremely fun.” His Spanish accent was soft.

Simon gave him a satisfied smile. “You said I had to do it sooner or later. I guess it was sooner.”

Luis reached out and caressed his cheek softly. “You were amazing, amor. Truly like a lion facing down a gladiator.”

I had the feeling Simon was definitely going to get lucky tonight with the look of admiration on Luis’s face. Simon waved an imperious hand in front of Brett’s still-openmouthed face. “So, now there are a few more ‘flamboyant’ individuals in the town to contend with,” he said loftily. He gestured around to everyone in the immediate vicinity. “I swing both ways, ladies and gentlemen. Get used to it.” He pulled Luis closer to him. “And Luis is not just my friend; he’s my boyfriend and my lover. So, Brett, put that in your pursy little mouth and smoke it.”

The people around us clapped and cheered. A few of them turned their backs in disgust, but most of the crowd seemed to have enjoyed the display. Brett stared from Simon to me, then back at Simon again.

“Well. I have to say—” He was obviously at a loss for words, so instead he simply turned and strode through the crowd, disappearing from view. Simon walked over to me, drawing me in for a hug. His hands tightened round my waist as he whispered in my ear.

“It had to happen sometime. And defending you, my boy, is a good enough reason for me to have done it now. No one talks to you like that.”

I nodded as he drew away. Luis looked a little sad at the affection Simon was showing me. I felt a surge of compassion for the man. I hoped Simon and he would work out.

Rain stepped up to the plate, drawing me to him and planting a smacking kiss on my cheek. “That was the best coming-out speech I’ve ever heard,” he said excitedly to Simon. “You, Simon, are one brave man.”

Simon shrugged. “I’m sure I’ll be able to manage any fallout. Actually, this whole event has shown me that there’s far more support than otherwise for us. I’m really gratified at that.” He turned to Luis with a look of tenderness. “Shall we get back to what we were doing at the coconut shy stall and let these other lovebirds do what they have to? I have a yen for you to win me that stuffed panda I’ve had my eyes on.”

He winked at me as he led Luis by the hand toward the stall.

Lucas had his arms around Tammy’s shoulders. “I guess after all this excitement we should go and enjoy a few of the attractions ourselves. This corner seems to be filled with bloody gay men putting on public displays of affection.” He gave a mock scowl. “What’s the bloody world coming to?”

Rain laughed as he punched him on the arm. “Bugger off, you hairy git, and go and enjoy yourself. We’ll see you around later.”

Lucas chortled. “I have a feeling we won’t be seeing either of you anytime soon. It’s just as well there isn’t a bloody garden hut here.” He dove out of the way of Rain’s forceful punch and disappeared, pulling a giggling Tammy with him.

My lover turned to me, and the look in his eyes made me quail. “As for you, my sexy man, I think we have somewhere to be. I have something I want to give you.” He grinned as he started walking toward the open doors of the barn. “Let’s get home first, though. Try and behave yourself in the car.”