Bishop grabs two dishes. “Let me help you clean up, Rocco.”
“Thanks, man.”
Trinity and I leave to walk out back. As I walk away, my eyes linger on Bishop. I hope he understood what I was trying to tell him. He might hurt me, but I know every minute with him is worth the risk.
FIVE
BISHOP
“He’s growing up so fast,” Rocco says, handing me dirty plates to load into the dishwasher.
“Yeah.”
I catch his eyes, studying me. “Tell me the truth, Bishop. Is something going with you and him?”
I pause for a moment, then put the plate in the dishwasher. “No.”
He stops, leaning on the counter. “I don’t believe you.”
“It’s the same thing as before, Rocco. He’s attracted to me. I’ve told him nothing can happen, and he accepted it. That’s it.”
“Because if something happened today I would just rather know now.”
I pick up a plate and put it in the rack. I’ll ruin everything if I tell him. “He asked if he could come over tonight. I said no. Told him to enjoy Trinity and his friends.”
“Did you want to say no?”
I meet his eyes. “What do you want me to say, Rocco? That I want to fuck your son? What good would it do to have a conversation like that?”
Rocco gazes down at the floor, his jaw twitching. After a moment, he looks up. “Can I be honest?”
“Always.”
“I’m torn here. Tristan is an adult and so are you. I shouldn’t be involved. I should be okay letting him navigate his own life.”
“But it’s different. He’s your son, and I’m your best friend. I get it, Rocco.”
He nods. “It’s just that the two of you have something tangible. I can’t ignore it even though I want to.”
“I’m not going to follow through on it. He’ll leave to college again, and you won’t have to worry.”
“Am I dick? Should I give my blessing and let you two just figure it out?”
God, please say I can. “You’re not a dick. You’re a great father.”
“If I said it was okay…?”
I would call him immediately. I would fuck him insane all night long. I would throw him down on the island and kiss him in front of everyone. I would do everything I could not to hurt him. I meet Rocco’s eyes.
He nods. “I see.”
“You see what?”
“You would pursue. The attraction isn’t one-sided.”
“No.”
“You’re resisting because of me.”
