The Husband Read Online Free Page A

Doris brought in everyone's usual cocktails.
    Both Jeff and Doris tried all kinds of small talk to break the ice that had formed around the windows and doors of the house but without success. Finally, Jeff said, "Okay, fuck this. Let's eat and then you two can go the hell your separate ways or whatever the hell you wanna do."
    He jumped out of the chair and headed into the kitchen. He returned with a large pot of the pasta and placed it on the table, along with a ladle. Doris sat down, and Jeff poured the wine.
    "I'll skip the toast, as obviously neither of you are in the mood to be civilized," Jeff said.
    Instead, he stood up and dished out the first of the plates of pasta. He then sat down and began to eat the Caesar salad that Doris had previously prepared and placed on the table next to everyone's dinner plate. Everyone seemed uncomfortable, and even the menu didn't do much to ease things, although Craig did dive into the pasta. They ate in silence for at least five minutes with the only sound that of forks hitting plates. Finally, Doris threw her fork onto her plate, sending drops of sauce flying through the air.
    "Okay, look, you two. I'm sick of this. You need to grow up, the pair of you. Yes, Craig, what Adam did sucked goat balls, no question. He treated you like you didn't really matter to him at all, and he was dead wrong to do so. However, we all know part of the reason Adam didn't stay in Houston is because you weren't there! That in itself should tell you how dear he holds you in his heart."
    Both Craig and Adam were stunned by the vehemence with which Doris lectured them.
    "Adam, you're a first-class dick for treating Craig the way you did. You owe him far more than just an apology if you have any desire to get him into your life again. Jeff and I know how happy you both were when you were with each other. You laughed, had fun, and enjoyed life. You're both good-looking young men who turn heads almost as much as my Jeff does. So, this is how things are going to be from now on.
    "Adam, have you told Craig how sorry you are for treating him the way you did?"
    "Yes, but I guess not well enough to where he believes me," he said, looking over to Craig.
    "Do you love Craig?" she asked.
    Adam's head shot up, and his eyes darted from Doris to Craig before answering.
    "Yeah, I really do, which is why I beat myself up so bad in Houston over how I conducted the move. I actually tried to screw up at my job so I'd be fired and could then collect unemployment insurance, but all I managed to do was earn citations and awards for handling a couple of serious security issues that came up involving terrorists and threats to attack two of my buildings. In the end, I just resigned, much to the surprise of both the head of security at the home office as well as the clients who owned the buildings."
    "Craig, do you have any feelings for Adam? Do you love him by chance?" she asked.
    Silence was Craig's immediate response, and when he looked up, he had tears in his eyes.
    "Of course I love him, which is why I felt heartbroken when he left. And then he didn't communicate with me at all… I imagined all sorts of things, including the possibility he'd found someone else."
    "Holy shit!" Jeff said. "If that's the case, then why don't you two kiss right now and enjoy the dinner!"
    Adam looked over at Craig and slowly got up and moved towards him. Craig got up, and they collapsed into each other's arms, holding each other and crying. They kissed, brushed away the tears, and sat back down.
    "Now, can we eat in peace?" Doris asked.
    Both guys nodded and smiled. Plates were filled once more with everyone talking now about how good it was having Adam home "where he belonged." They had a light dessert, and Craig helped Doris clear the table and clean up while Adam and Jeff sat in the living room.
    "I thought I had to beat some sense into both of you for being so miserable." Jeff said.
    "Thank you for what you and Doris did. I love you guys for