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I started laughing because it was funny to hear him kid and even funnier that my ex, the academic, knew even a little about the minds of billionaires.
“So, damn,” he said with a laugh. “When you come out, you come out guns blazing, huh?”
“I didn’t plan on—”
“Duncan.”
“Crap.”
His sigh was deep. “In or out of the closet, Duncan, you were never the right man for me. We both know it. We’re both sort of similar, and while that can be a good thing, it really wasn’t in our case. You being closeted at the time, I think, didn’t let us see the big picture. But now you can, and damn … I’m so happy for you.”
“Not everyone has to be out and proud to be happy, Nate.”
“I agree. I do. I think it’s a choice everyone has to make for themselves. But for you, knowing you, I swear if I didn’t have this cute kid on my chest, I would dance around the room for you.”
“Thank you.”
“Are you happy?”
“So far,” I said honestly. “It’s brand-new, and the shit’s gonna hit the fan when I get back, but I talked to Jimmy and my captain so … you know.”
“It will be what it will be, and that has to be okay.”
“Right. It will.”
“Wait, back? Where are you?”
“I’m on an FBI task force.”
He chuckled. “Of course you are.”
I laughed. “What’s so funny?”
“You always were quite the multitasker. Coming out and catching bad guys.”
“Well, you know me.”
“I forgot you were funny,” he mused.
“You did?”
He was laughing then.
“So I just wanted to call and thank you for being a really good part of my life.”
“You’re welcome,” he sighed.
“I’ll see ya.”
“I hope so,” he confided and then hung up.
Nothing like closure.
ELEVEN
“Duncan?”
Lowering the newspaper I was reading, I glanced up at Aaron, who had come to stand next to the dining room table, rubbing his left eye and looking very confused.
