11 Chapter 11

“Do you want to go out tonight? If you’d rather stay in, I can call Littlefield and cancel Xavier’s show tonight.”

And the truth was, he did want to stay home. He didn’t want to go on stage and pretend everything was fine. He loved performing, but tonight he didn’t think he could.

“Morton?” Graham gently lifted his chin so their faces were only inches away.

His eyes filled with tears and his vision blurred. “Do you hate me?”

“What? Hate you?” Graham shook his head. “Hold on.” He went to the phone, his hand still clasped with Morton’s, and Morton was grateful for the warmth of Graham’s fingers curved around his palm. Graham hit a few buttons. “This is Graham. Morton is under the weather and won’t be able to appear tonight at the club. We’ll call you later. Bye.”

A cold tear slipped down his cheek and Morton wiped at it. Graham led him to the old couch in the room and sat, then pulled Morton down on his lap, holding him tight.