“It’s what’s done, though, right?”
“Not always. Some live in their big houses. Some actually earned them before they ran. Hiding is what we’re good at, Eli. Hiding our wealth, are intentions, our true selves. I’m sure I’m not the only one hiding their sexuality either. It’s insane, but back in the day, even an affair would be the person was stricken from ever holding office.
Eli held him close, kissing his temple. For all the weeks he’d known him, having prejudged him, only to see that Lee knew more than even he thought. “It’s beyond you to a large extent, but you can change it, Lee. You could change so much.”
“I don’t know if I can. If I even have the courage to try.”
“I’m here, cheering you on. I may not have any power, or any say, but hopefully I count a little.”
“You count, Eli.”
Eli’s eyes closed so he could take those words into his entire being. For a man like Lee, raised in wealth, never seeing others that weren’t like him, to say Eli counted was far better than anything else. “You count too, Lee. With me.”
His face was turned, and his lips kissed, warm hands on either side of his face. “Eli, you give me so much hope.”
He felt tears stinging his eyes, but he wouldn’t let them fall. Lee’s words were pouring out straight from his heart. It wasn’t black and tarnished as Eli first thought. More than his sexuality had been hidden, Lee was right. His very heart had been hidden along with the rest of him. His ideas, ideals, needs, dreams…
He was falling in love with the enemy, it seemed.
When they neared the beach house, he straightened his clothes while Lee messed with his hair, then his own. They had to look like they hadn’t been kissing on and off for the hour they’d been in the car, after deboarding the jet.
It was then that Lee started his instruction. “My mother loves good manners. She thinks it’s what separates us from everyone else below our station.”
“She doesn’t realize it’s the money and the privilege?”
“No,” he laughed. "They’ll put you in a room near the maids and butler. Don’t think their butler is like Mars, he’s not. He’s loyal to a demonic fault to them. Don’t let him see you with a hair out of place, or my parents will hear of it not two seconds later.
“My father, he’s the classic politician. He’ll pat you on the back and kiss your babies, all while he’s lying to your face.”
“Nice. Anything nice about them?”
“Sure! They’re great hosts, so you will be comfortable, of course, but being an employee, don’t expect the red carpet. You’ll be well fed, and I’ll make sure some clothes are sent over to your room if they’re planning a cocktail party or anything.”
Eli had packed a small suitcase, but he’d included mostly casual wear, thinking he’d be in his room most of the time, working. “Would I be invited?”
“Yes. The more the merrier, and I’d like you there, even if they overlook you. My father and mother are on the boards of two very prestigious boarding schools. It’s not college, but you do only have a bachelor's degree.”
He knew that was a problem. Two of the schools had told him that was the difference. “I know, and I planned on going back to school.”
“We can help. I can’t on my own.”
The last was spit out, like it pained him to say.
“Not only do they have connections with those schools, though, they have friends here that are all on boards all over the country, boarding schools, colleges, ivy league schools, whatever you could want.”
So much had changed. Even his dream of teaching was being put behind him as he was developing another dream.
“Thanks, Lee, but right now, I have a job.”
Lee turned to him, his brows drawn tight, and he bit his lip, like he was trying to keep from saying something. Eli moved in again, kissing him lightly. “Anything else I should know?”
“I can’t…I’ll try to…”
“We’re at your parents’ house, Lee. I don’t expect us to have a fuck fest there.”
“Okay,” he said, smiling as his head dropped. “I’m…I can’t believe I’m saying this. I’m scared, Eli.”
“Of what, Lee?”