Page 82 of All of Us

Before I could open it, Martin kept talking. “Have you seen the eagles since you’ve been back? It’s just something how the three of them have made a family. I guess love works in mysterious ways.” He then walked away.

Nothing good could come from a hand-delivered letter from someone you knew, through someone else. My hands were shaking. Dusty pushed me with his nose.

“I’m sure it’s nothing,” I told him, while I gave him more celery.

Once the envelope was opened, I found a letter written in Joe’s perfect script.

My Dearest Jacob

I feel I should start with the words I was too afraid to say. I am in love with you, but I am also in love with Dusty. This whole thing is unfair to all of us, and I realize that means one of us has to step aside. When I see you and Dusty together, I recognize that I am the interloper. You two belong together. There is so much between you that asking either of you to let it go would be selfish.

Jacob, you need to love Dusty enough for both of us, hold him at night, and remind him that he is perfect. Tell him our time meant everything. Find your happily ever after, and be best friends. I’ll only be gone for a few days, then I will need to return to work. We won’t cross paths very often, but know you will always have my heart.

Yours always,

Joe

The only thing I felt was anguish as I sank to my knees. He was letting me and Dusty find our way as a couple, but I didn’t want that. I wanted them both. I didn’t want to choose.

“Jacob! Jacob!” I recognized the voice instantly.

“He’s in there, son.” I heard Martin say. It was Dusty. He must have gotten a similar note.

One of my best friends dropped to his knees in front of me, and we held each other, unable to stop the tears.

“Why did he do this? He’s leaving us. He can’t leave us.”

“Boys?” Martin stood in the stall door. “Have you seen the eagle family? The three of them seem to have worked things out.”

“Martin, this isn’t the time to talk about the fucking eagles.” Immediately, I felt guilty for my outburst. This man was like a father. “I’m sorry.”

“I spoke with Joe this morning when he dropped off that note. He explained to me that he cares too much about you both not to push you together.” Sounded like Joe, thinking of others first, sacrificing his own heart. “But you see,” he pointed out the back of the stall. “Those birds are doing something that’s not typical, but they make it work. The three of them made a family.”

“The three of them made a family,” I repeated. Oh. OH! “Dusty? Would you want the three of us to be a family?”

“Yes.” He said instantly.

“Like the eagles. Unconventional but togehter.” I asked again.

“Yes.” He said again without delay.

“We need to find Joe.” I looked at Martin Wilson.

“Took you boys long enough.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “You could have said it more clearly, waxing poetic about eagles.”

“I would be nicer to me because it appears I am the only one who can help you locate Joe. Unless you want to go beg his brother for the information, then explain that you want to live as a triad.”

I groaned. That wasn’t something I was ready to deal with just yet. “Have I ever told you how you are a father figure to me, Mr. Wilson?” I said with all honesty.

“Have I mentioned that Montgomery is an amazing man, and I am sure it was how you raised him,” Dusty added.

“Better. Now let me see what I can do to find them and get the DRACO private jet.” I blinked. It appeared Mr. Wilson was all in on our love life. “Let’s head up to the house. Mrs. Wilson has everything you need for your trip, and she has snacks.”

“How?” I asked.

“You are like a son to me, Gentry. I knew you’d figure it out. I didn’t expect you would have to chase him down, but as soon as I saw that he ran we went to plan B. Which was getting you to him.” I smiled. Well, he wasn’t wrong.