LGBT

Chapter 1: Tyler’s Secret Life

Chapter 1: Tyler’s Secret Life

My hands were shaking as I held the thin letter in my hands. It was my acceptance letter to the state university and I’d been waiting for eternity for it to get here. Okay it was really two months. But still. That’s a long time to wait for an answer.

“Dude would you just open the damn thing,” my brother, Travis said impatiently. “It’s just a letter. They are only going to say yes or no.”

“Easy for you to say,” I said rolling my eyes at him. “You’re already accepted.”

My brother merely grinned at me. He was a junior at the same university that I’d applied to. We had plans that if I was accepted, we’d get an apartment together. I remember him acting the same way, nervous, excited. Scared. Just like I’m feeling right now. Brothers could be so trying.

My friend Andrew threw a pillow at Travis. “Aw leave him alone Travis. He’s nervous enough as it is.”

I nodded my thanks to Drew. With a deep breath, I ripped open the letter. I scanned through the letter quickly. Elation flowed through me.

“I got in!” I crowed happily. I jumped up and down on my bed several times before leaping to the floor. My brother grabbed me in a bear hug and snatched the letter from my hand to read it himself.

Drew slapped me on the back excitedly. “That’s awesome! I’m super stoked for you,” he said.

I forgot who was in the room and I grabbed him by the cheeks and kissed him on the lips. His mouth opened in surprise and I swept the tip of my tongue between his teeth.

With a start, I pulled away from him. The room suddenly went deathly quiet. Travis stared at me for a moment in stunned silence. Drew stood still then a smile broke out across his face.

“Dude,” I stammered. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I did that. I-”

Drew grinned at me. “I was wondering if that’s the way you went.”

“No. I mean.” I broke off and turned to find my brother watching me. “Trav-” I started but paused again.

He came over to where I stood. For a moment, I thought he was going to hit me. But he merely looked from me to Drew and back.

“Do mom and dad know?” he asked.

I shook my head.

“Are you gay then?”

I lifted my head to meet his gaze squarely. “Yeah.” I steeled myself for him to punch my face in or berate me. But he did neither.

“How long have you known?”

I shrugged. “For a couple of years.”

Travis gave me a crooked grin. “You’re a pretty good actor, little bro. I had no idea.”

I was still waiting for the boom. “So, I got accepted. Do I need to apply for housing?”

Travis reached out and I flinched still expecting him to belt me one. “Why? I thought we were renting an apartment.”

“So we’re good? Are you okay?”

He lifted an eyebrow. “About what? You being gay?”

I nodded.

“So what? You like guys. It doesn’t change who you are and the fact that you’re my brother. We are family.”

I felt relief flow through me. I reached out to shake my brother’s hand. “Thanks man. Now I just gotta find the right time and right words to tell mom and dad.”

Travis pulled me into a hug. “You will. I’ll be with you when you finally are ready to tell them. ‘Til then, it’s between us.” He rumpled my hair as he let me go. “Besides, now I don’t have to worry about you trying to push up on my girlfriends when I invite them over.”

I grinned. “I won’t. I promise.”

He held up the paper. “We need to go tell the parental unit the good news.”

I waved him on. “I’ll be down in a minute.” Travis gave me and Drew a knowing smirk before disappearing into the hallway and closing the door behind him. I turned to Drew. “I’m sorry.”

He grinned at me. “Why? I liked it.”

“Really?”

He nodded. “I’m glad you came out, Tyler. Welcome to the club,” he said and kissed me.