Someone Like You Read online

  “He just wants the best for you,” Deacon hedged.

  “I’m perfectly capable of making my own decisions without interference from my dad.”

  “I know, but—”

  “Stop it!” Todd stood and forced Deacon to face him eye to eye. “Enough, okay? Go take a shower, get dressed, and come back to my house for the day. I’m not having you think you’re not good enough for me.”

  “I can’t leave Billy on his own at Christmas.”

  “You can leave me out of this,” Billy warned. “I’ve got the books to finish, and I need peace and quiet to get them done, not constant drama. You go and have fun, and I’ll see you when I see you.”

  “I guess I’m outnumbered,” Deacon complained.

  Billy grinned at him and nodded. “Yeah, so do as you’re told for once. And Todd, you might want to take your own advice and grab a shower before you go home too. You need to re-button your shirt properly as well.”

  Todd looked down at his dishevelled appearance. “I wouldn’t want to use up all your hot water.”

  Billy laughed loudly. “Despite what you might think, I was young once myself. I remember a few steamy showers of my own, and I’m not talking about the hot water.”

  Todd blushed as Deacon practically ran from the room.

  “Well, what are you waiting for?” Billy asked. “An engraved invitation?”

  Deacon was already undressed when Todd slipped into the small, cramped bathroom with him. “Sorry about Billy,” Deacon said. “He can be a bit blunt.”

  Todd wrapped his arms round Deacon’s waist. “I like him. He tells it like it is and doesn’t pull any punches.”

  “I’m sorry I ran out on you again.”

  Todd caught Deacon’s gaze in the mirror. “Just don’t make a habit of it. I don’t want to go to university and come back to find you’ve skipped town or something.”

  “Actually, Billy suggested I come with you.”

  “I like him even better now, but what would you do down there all day while I’m in class?”

  “Work at his cousin’s garage. Billy says his cousin would give me a job if he asked.”

  “Are you telling me you could have come down to live near me any time these last few months?”

  “Maybe not right away, but yeah, he suggested I move down there around the end of October when we got talking one evening about you, and I mentioned where you were.”

  Todd nipped Deacon’s ear. “Idiot! You should have been on the very next train down to join me. I swear I’m not letting you out of my sight from now on.”

  * * * *

  When Todd and Deacon emerged from the bathroom, they found Billy had been busy in the kitchen and had cooked breakfast for them. Billy opened his home to Todd, and between wolfing down the full English fry-ups, the three of them discussed the possibility of Deacon’s moving down south to be with his boyfriend. All it had taken was a phone call from Billy to secure Deacon a job. Since he didn’t have a spare room like Billy, a place to stay still needed to be arranged, though Todd’s suggestion they sneak him into the dorms had a certain appeal. By lunchtime, the conversation had turned to Todd’s family, and Deacon had told Todd all that had transpired between himself and Thomas Hunter. Todd was fuming when he heard his father had tried to bribe Deacon into breaking up with him. It had taken another hour for him to calm down enough to return home with Deacon at his side. Todd let the two of them into the house, while keeping a firm grip on Deacon’s trembling hand.

  “Is that you, Todd?” his mother called from the dining room. “Where have you been all morning?”

  “Round at Deacon’s,” he called back as he kicked the snow off his boots and hung up his coat.

  “Oh dear, don’t let your father hear you say that,” his mother said.

  Todd put his arm around Deacon’s shoulders and gave him a peck on the lips. “Just remember the only thing that matters is we love each other.”

  Deacon nodded.

  “Mum, you might want to set another place for dinner,” Todd suggested as he guided Deacon into the dining room. “You remember Deacon, don’t you?”

  Maureen Hunter only stumbled momentarily as she set out the best silverware on the table. “Yes, of course. Merry Christmas, Deacon.”

  “Merry Christmas,” Deacon replied as he clung to Todd’s side. “It won’t be too much trouble having me here, will it?”

  “No, of course not,” Todd insisted before his mother had a chance to speak. “I asked Deacon to stay over Christmas. Is Dad in the kitchen?”

  “Yes, where else? Tammy and Richie are decorating the tree if you want to join them.”

  “Sure. Come on.” Tugging Deacon out of the dining room and across to the living room, Todd considered their arrival had gone about as well as could be expected. With a bit of luck his father wouldn’t notice Deacon was here until the guests arrived. At least that way there wouldn’t be a scene or any unpleasantness.

  They found Tammy picking out her favourite ornaments for the tree, insisting on colour coordinating the baubles with the outfit she planned on wearing on Christmas Day. Richie had got stuck with the job of untangling the lights, which always seemed to knot themselves over the course of the year.

  “You took your time,” Tammy complained. “We waited for you as long as we could. We didn’t want you to miss out on any of the fun.”

  “So I see,” Todd replied as Richie passed him the string of lights. “You both remember Deacon, don’t you?”

  “Sure,” Richie said, without any real interest.

  Tammy batted her eyelashes and gave Deacon one of her winning smiles. Todd picked up a piece of tinsel and tossed it at her. “No, Tammy, Deacon doesn’t wear makeup either, and he isn’t going to be volunteering as a guinea pig for you.”

  “Spoilsport. Does Dad know you invited him round?”

  “Not yet.”

  “Oh this should be fun,” Tammy squealed. “Everyone else has at least one huge family row over Christmas. This year we get to have one too.”

  “We’re not having a row.”

  Tammy continued picking through the box of baubles. “I’ll be able to tell everyone my gay brother brought his boyfriend home for Christmas, and Dad hit the roof. Everyone will think it’s really tragic.”

  “Dad isn’t going to hit the roof, and there’s nothing tragic about it.”

  “Well, he won’t be happy about it. You know he never liked Deacon.”

  Todd felt Deacon stiffen beside him, and Todd rubbed his knee to soothe him. “Ignore her. She’s a drama queen and a stirrer.”

  “She’s right though. Your dad doesn’t like me.”

  “I don’t care if my entire family hates you. I love you, and that’s what counts.”

  Deacon relaxed against him, and Todd turned to kiss him softly on the lips.

  “Oh, get a room,” Richie muttered. “I’m going out for a smoke.”

  “You’ll cop it if Dad catches you,” Tammy warned. “It’s a disgusting habit, and it’s not like Dad won’t be able to tell as soon as you come back in.”

  Richie ignored her and slipped out of the front door.

  “Are you sure it’s okay for me to be here?” Deacon asked.

  “You aren’t going anywhere. You aren’t even going to the bathroom without me from now on.”

  Tammy screwed up her nose and put her iPod’s ear buds in. “Ew.”

  Todd chuckled as he turned his attention back to the lights and Deacon helped him to work through the various tangles until they were ready to be put on the tree again.

  Chapter Six

  The Barretts and their grandson, Liam, arrived for dinner right on time, and only then did Thomas emerge from the kitchen. His face was stony as he looked at the cosy couple snuggling on the living room sofa. “I see we have an extra guest.”

  “I told Deacon you wouldn’t mind,” said Todd, the warning clear in his voice. “Mum’s already set an extra place for him. He’s staying over for the holi
days.”

  “Have you made up the spare room?” Thomas asked.

  “There’s no need. Deacon’s staying downstairs with me.” Todd smiled and silently dared his father to contradict him.

  Thomas gave a slow nod and turned to the drinks cabinet. “Can I get anyone a drink before dinner?”

  Todd squeezed Deacon’s shoulders and kissed him on the cheek. “See, everything’s fine.”

  Deacon intended to withhold judgement. The Barretts were nice enough and Liam seemed to be pleasant company, but it was clear to Deacon from the outset neither of Todd’s parents wanted him there.

  Maureen had arranged the table with name cards for each guest. Deacon’s had obviously been put together at the last minute, which was understandable, but what wasn’t so forgiving was the way he had been placed as far away from Todd as possible. Deacon had been placed with Tammy on his left, Mr Hunter on his right at the head of the table, and Mrs Barrett across from him. Todd sat at the opposite end, between his mother and Liam. Mrs Hunter couldn’t have been more obvious in her matchmaking.

  “Don’t you like the food?” Thomas asked when he saw Deacon picking at his meal.

  “It’s fine, thanks,” Deacon mumbled as he struggled to cut his meat.

  “You might want to use the other knife, dear,” Mrs Barrett suggested from across the table, gesturing to her own cutlery.

  “Oh.” Deacon winced at his ignorance. He had never felt so out of place and uncomfortable.

  “So, Liam, how’s law school going?” Thomas called down the table. “Your grandfather tells me you’re hoping to join your father’s practice.”

  Deacon concentrated on his meal while Thomas gushed praise on the young man he was already starting to think of as his rival. He wished he’d stayed at Billy’s, at least there he would have felt welcome.

  Several times during the course of the meal Todd had tried to engage Deacon in conversation only to be forestalled by one or the other of his parents before Deacon had the chance to reply. Tammy’s attitude seemed pleasant enough, but her attention appeared focused on the mobile phone she was texting on underneath the table, carefully out of sight of her parents. Richie’s own attention stayed very much on the food, and his responses to any attempt at conversation were mostly nods and grunts before turning back to his plate. Deacon had never felt so unwelcome anywhere. By the time Maureen Hunter fetched the dessert he wanted to crawl under the table and hide. He looked up and down the table to see if anyone else had begun eating so he could watch and see which one of the two remaining spoons he should use. He had just picked up the same spoon as Richie when the doorbell rang, interrupting the meal.

  “Whoever can that be?” Mrs Hunter asked as she put down the bowl of tiramisu and scurried into the hallway.

  “I wanna talk to me son! That pouf down the garage said he’s here. Where’s me lad?”

  Deacon recognised his father’s voice and jumped up from the table. “Excuse me,” he said as he rushed into the hallway. Had he thought this meal couldn’t get any worse? “Dad, what are you doing here?”

  “Steve’s been arrested,” his dad replied. “They got him for dealing this time not just possession. He’s looking at prison time for sure.”

  “Oh shit.”

  “Perhaps you’d better leave,” Thomas suggested from the hallway. “I’m sure everyone will understand if you have a family emergency.”

  Deacon cringed at the older man’s eagerness to get him out of his house.

  “No,” Todd interrupted as he pushed his way past his father and into the hallway. “Deacon, you don’t have to leave.”

  “I will not have drugs in this house.”

  “Deacon doesn’t do drugs,” Todd snapped. “You’ve done everything you can to make him unwelcome, so don’t stand there trying to act all concerned.”

  “And how have I made him unwelcome?” Thomas asked. “He’s eaten at our table, and he plans on sleeping in your bed.”

  “Are you going to pretend you didn’t try to pay him to leave me?” Todd snapped. “We could take a look in your chequebook if you plan on denying it.”

  “I’m just trying to do what’s best for you. Any father would do the same. Isn’t that right, Mr Jones?”

  Gary Jones ducked his head and rubbed the back of his neck. “I just wanna talk to me son. I don’t wanna get in the middle of no family argument.”

  Todd directed him into the living room, and Deacon moved to follow his father inside. Todd’s hand on his arm halted his progression. “Are you going to be okay in there?” he whispered.

  “Yeah, I’ll be fine.”

  “Are you sure? I can come in with you if you need me.”

  Deacon glanced at his father, who stood looking out of the window. “It’s okay. You go back to your meal before Richie nicks your pudding.”

  Todd nodded. “Okay, I’ll leave you to talk,” he said before closing the door.

  Deacon sat on one of the chairs, wondering what his father could possibly have to say to him. At least he hadn’t turned up drunk and swearing abuse at him.

  “You’re lookin’ good,” his father said.

  Deacon wouldn’t have entirely agreed. Right now he felt ill. His stomach was doing flip-flops, and the meal he had just forced himself to eat churned in his gut. “What are you doing here?”

  “It’s Christmas Eve. We’re family—”

  “Family! What the fuck do you know about family? You kicked me out, remember? The minute Steve told you I was gay you threw me out the house. I don’t have a family anymore.”

  “I’m your dad.”

  “You were.”

  “You being what you are don’t change that.”

  “Gay, Dad. I’m gay. You can’t even say the bloody word. You’re just miserable about spending Christmas on your own since Steve’s got himself banged up in prison. If he was at home you wouldn’t even be round here. Well, deal with it. Just like I dealt with being on my own when you threw me out. I didn’t even know if I’d have a roof over my head this Christmas.”

  “Seems like you’re doing all right for yourself.”

  “Does it? Well, it shows what you know, doesn’t it? Todd is the only one who really wants me here. His parents hate me.”

  “They don’t want their son to be queer either?”

  Deacon rolled his eyes. “Oh that’s not the problem. They don’t mind Todd being gay. They just don’t want him sleeping with the trash.”

  Gary Jones frowned at his son, confusion evident on his face. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “What do you think? They want him to find a nice, rich bloke from a good family, not some mechanic from the wrong side of town.”

  “Are you telling me these smarmy gits are sayin’ you ain’t good enough for their bleedin’ son?”

  “Yeah, that’s exactly what I’m saying. But that’s my problem, not yours. Just go home, Dad.”

  “I’m gonna have a word with Mr La-Di-Da in there first.”

  “Dad, that won’t help.”

  Too late, Deacon watched his father stalk towards the dining room. “Oh shit!”

  Chapter Seven

  Todd glared at his father. “You couldn’t resist, could you? When are you going to understand I love Deacon, and nothing you say or do is ever going to change my feelings for him?”

  Thomas cast a nervous glance into the dining room at the guests. The older Barretts tried to look as though they were busy eating their desserts while Liam stared openly at the showdown between father and son.

  “Dad, stop worrying about what other people think and start showing a bit of concern for your own family.”

  “You need to think about your future career.”

  “I don’t care about my bloody career,” Todd yelled. “If I ever had to choose between my career and Deacon it’d be no contest. I’d choose him. I love him and have for years. That isn’t going to change, not today, not tomorrow, not ever.”

  “You don’t know what you�
��re throwing away by taking up with his sort.”

  “And what ‘sort’ would that be?” Gary Jones asked from the other end of the hall. “My Deacon’s a good lad, and your boy’s lucky to have him.”

  Todd could see Deacon’s stunned expression at his father’s words. He suspected his own face might’ve reflected similar surprise. Had he actually heard Deacon’s homophobic father sticking up for them?

  “Well, answer me, you stuck-up prick,” Gary continued. “Why’s my Deacon not good enough for your boy?”

  “My son has a bright future ahead of him.”

  “And Deacon doesn’t? Is that what you’re saying? My boy can do whatever he wants. He’s got brains, he has. Takes after his mother, he does. You know, I’m not sure your lad is good enough for my Deacon now I think about it.”

  Todd stepped back as their fathers squared off against each other.

  “Get out of my house, and take him with you,” Todd’s father yelled, pointing at Deacon.

  “If he goes, I go with him,” Todd shouted.

  “You’ll do as I tell you. Now go back into the dining room and keep our guests company, while I deal with the gate-crashers.”

  “Deacon’s my guest and I’m not going to stand here and let you throw him out.”

  “I won’t stand by and watch you throw away everything you’ve worked for.”

  “You won’t have to watch me do anything if I pack my bags and go.”

  “And where do you think you’ll go? Shack up with that worthless piece of trash?”

  Deacon’s father stepped up into Todd’s father’s space, his face red with anger. “Don’t you speak about my boy like that. He’s worth ten of your lad.”

  “Get out!” Todd’s father shouted as he tried to manhandle Mr Jones down the hall and out of the front door.

  They stumbled into a table, sending a vase crashing to the floor. Todd’s mother gave a cry of dismay.

  Deacon jumped back as their scuffling fathers approached. He hit the matching table and vase, sending that one flying too. “I’m so sorry,” he said as he bent down to pick up the pieces.