Kiss Me

Harry Smith folded his hands into fists, then he leaned closer to his wife, Tessa, “What the fuck is wrong with your son?” He whispered to her, his tone gritty, “You better go get him back here right this instant!”

Tessa shuddered, “Yes, I will.”

She excused herself, walked down the pathway and then began her search for Lincoln.

“Oh my God, Lincoln!” She gasped in horror, covering her mouth with her hands, upon seeing Lincoln in his terrible state. She ran to him and squatted beside him, “Dear, are you okay?” She enquired worriedly but Lincoln was still finding it hard to breathe, “Oh my God!”

She pulled Lincoln's head to her bosom and began to pat his back, “It's okay dear. It's alright. Shh. Mommy's here.”

Lincoln buried himself in his mother's arms, “I don't want to get married Mom.” He cried, tears trickling down, “I don't want to get married.”

Tessa blinked back her tears.

There was nothing she could do about it.

Whatever her husband says in the family goes, whether they like it or not.

“Oh dear, you know I can't do anything about it.” She kissed his head, “You just have to bear it.”

“Why? Why did you have to give me a father as horrible as him?”

His words pierced through her heart.

If Tessa Smith had one regret in her life, it was getting married to that man.

“I'm so sorry dear,” She muttered, “I was so blinded by love that I didn't realize what I was getting myself into. Please forgive me.”

Lincoln seemed to have calmed down a bit.

“But Evie seems to be a nice girl, I'm sure you'll get to like her…”

“You don't understand Mom.” Lincoln mumbled, “I don't think I will ever get to like her.”

“And why is that?”

“Well because…” He hesitated and bit his lower lip, “Because…” He couldn't say it.

“What the fuck is wrong with you both?!” Harry's thunderous voice startled the both of them. They quickly scrambled to their feet. “What the fuck is wrong with Lincoln? Why the hell did you run off like that?”

“Honey, listen…” Tessa began.

“We'll have this conversation back at home! Right now, we have a big event ahead of us. Now come on!” He barked, then turned and began to walk towards the grand hall.

Tessa and Lincoln trailed behind him.

“Is everything alright Mr Smith?” Felix Burns asked, his eyes darting from Harry back to Lincoln. “Is he okay?”

“Yes, Mr Burns. There's nothing to worry about.” Harry replied, “Isn't that right, Lincoln.”

Lincoln, acutely aware that Ethan's gaze was on him, buried his gaze to the ground. “Yes.”

“Alright then.” Felix said cheerfully, “Let's get this party started!”

Evie skidded over to Lincoln and linked her arm to his, “Are you okay? You don't look too well.”

“I'm… I'm fine.” He stammered out a response.

The two powerful families headed into the grand hall and then the event started.

Ethan Burns sat by a table on the corner of the hall and watched as Harry Smith made the opening remarks and then made a toast.

He watched with conflicted feelings as Lincoln walked into the hall with his sister in his arms.

Lincoln was looking a bit pale and terrified.

His gaze drifted off to Ethan and all Ethan saw was utter terror and agony.

He loved his sister so much and would do anything to protect her and the last thing he wanted was for her to get hurt.

But now he knew his sister was getting married to a gay guy who might possibly not give her the happiness she rightfully deserves.

Will he get up and stop this engagement party? Or will he sit and watch his sister fall into the pit of unhappiness?

Somehow he couldn't bring himself to expose Lincoln. Through the note he had read, he had gotten to know of Lincoln's struggles of being closeted and how his father made his decisions for him.

He was once closeted, thereby he understood the struggles Lincoln was going through.

What will he do? He wondered.

The erupted cheer and applause broke his thoughts and quickly glanced up to the podium.

Lincoln had worn the ring onto Evie's finger whose pretty face was wreathed with smiles.

Lincoln's heart was hammering against his chest.

He has slid the ring into Evie's finger. It was now time to kiss.

He has never kissed a girl before.

He only just had his first kiss yesterday.

He gulped down slowly and leaned in to kiss Evie.

Evie slid her hand around his neck as their lips met. To him, the kiss was tasteless, dry and void of substance.

His gaze drifted off to where Ethan sat and the way he looked at him…

Averting his eyes, he quickly broke away from the kiss.

The hall erupted with cheers and applause.

Not long after, guests began to mingle, eat, drink and be merry.

Lincoln excused himself and darted towards the bathroom. He splashed water on his face and heaved a deep sigh.

“What am I gonna do?” He muttered to himself, “What am I gonna do? Surely he won't keep quiet for long. What am I gonna… oh God! This is killing me.”

The door to the bathroom burst open and he quickly lifted his head.

His eyes widened in horror upon seeing Ethan.

“Hi,” Ethan said casually.

Lincoln's breath became raggedy and his heart began to hammer.

“I need to go.” He mumbled and made to sidestep Ethan but Ethan blocked him and placed his hand on his stomach.

“You remember me, don't you??”

Lincoln said nothing.

His mind was a pool of thought.

Ethan took a step closer, “Answer me.”

Lincoln took a step back, “I… I have no idea what you're talking about.” His voice was trembling with roughness.

Ethan took another step, “Is that right?”

Lincoln took another step back till his back was up against the wall.

“Can I… can I go now? Please?”

“Look me in the eye.”

“I…”

“Look me in the eye!” Ethan barked.

And Lincoln flinched.

Then he slowly glanced up and met Ethan's hypnotic gaze.

The two stared at each other for a moment. The electricity between them

, palpable.

Ethan leaned forward, and then purred, “Kiss me.”

“What?”

“I said kiss me.”

Before Lincoln could have the time to collect his thoughts, Ethan's succulent lips were pressing down on his.