PART 1

CHAPTER 1

December 2021

“I met someone,” Kurt confesses, his eyes glued firmly to the carpeted floor of his father's living room. He may be twenty-eight years old, but in the presence of his father Burt Hummel, he still feels like a child every time he knows he screwed up.

“Jesus Christ, kiddo. What do you mean you met someone?” Burt asks, and Kurt can tell that he's trying not to sound too judgmental. “You are married, Kurt.”

Kurt looks down to where his golden wedding band used to be. He had taken it off, once he realized that he had fallen in love, fallen in love with someone who wasn't his husband of two years. His husband hasnt even noticed its absence yet, and if that isnt telling about the state of their marriage, then what is?

“James and I, we are getting a divorce. But Dad, you have to know, I never meant for any of this to happen. Because, yes, James and I weren't in a good place, but I think I would have tried to stick it out if I hadn't fallen for someone else.”

It breaks Kurt's heart to see the look of disappointment on his father's face and he quickly averts his eyes. Maybe it was a bad idea to tell his dad about this before the divorce was finalized.

“Kiddo, you lost me there. What the hell happened? What about Lexy? And does that guy at least feel the same way about you? ”

Kurt sighs and lets his shoulders slump.

“That's kind of a long story, Dad.” A beat. “And he doesn't know how I feel about him. He thinks we're just friends.”

Burt points to the living room couch.

“Then you better start talking, because I ain't going anywhere.”

October 2018

“Excuse me. Is that seat taken? Everywhere else is full.”

Kurt looks up from where his head is buried in the script of an OFF Broadway play he managed to get cast in and nearly swoons. In front of his table is a tall young man with short and spiky brown hair, green eyes and British if Kurt is correct about the accent. The stranger is wearing tight, dark blue jeans and a grey polo shirt that makes his eyes pop against all odds. Usually he would tell whoever is bothering him to find another seat, but the intruder is handsome and polite and it's been a while since Kurt's been on a date, let alone in a relationship.

“Sure,” he tells the young man and moves his messenger bag from the seat opposite his. “I'm Kurt," he offers his hand to his own surprise, because he really isnt a fan of touching people he doesnt know.

The young man grips his hand tightly, holding it a few seconds longer than strictly necessary.

“James. Nice to meet you Kurt. Can I get you a refill as a thank you for sharing your space.”

James' eyes twinkle and Kurt catches him as he tries to subtly check Kurt out.

“You know what. Another mocha would be heavenly.” After all, he has at least another half hour before he has to leave for rehearsal.

Kurt tries not to stare at James' butt as he walks to the counter to order their coffees but the tight jeans James is wearing makes it hard not to. Kurt blushes and quickly averts his eyes when James turns toward him, afraid to get caught.

A few minutes later, a steaming cup of fresh coffee is sitting in front of Kurt and when James doesn't say anything but pulls out a thick book about business regulations, he turns his attention back to the script in front of him. The story is kind of ridiculous, but as long as performing actually pays the bills, Kurt isn't going to be too picky about the productions who are willing to cast him until he makes it.

Two years after his graduation from NYU with a BFA in musical theater, this is his third OFF Broadway production. The third that was willing to give him a role, and no matter how small the roles have been, it's better than being policeman number three or orphan number two with barely any lines like his first jobs out of college had been.

“I'm sorry. I don't want to disturb you, but can I ask what it is that you do?” James interrupts his musings a few minutes later.

Kurt looks up in surprise, a faint blush on his cheeks. He never knows how people are going to react when he tells them he is an actor. Because regardless of his successes so far, that's what he is, what he plans to do until he physically can't do it anymore.

“I'm an actor.”

James' eyes grow wide.

“Wow! That's so cool. Anything I could have seen you in?”

It's not the reaction he's expected. Most people he's met have told him that a degree in theater was a waste of his parent's money and that he would have been better off studying something sensible like business or law. 

“Well unless you are a closeted OFF Broadway fan, I don't think so.” Spotting James' NYU sweatshirt tied to his book bag he adds. “And I've been in most NYU productions before I graduated two years ago.”

“Well, then too bad that I only began my studies at NYU last fall,” James tells him with a bright smile and while not an expert, Kurt's pretty sure that James is flirting with him.

“What about you? You're not from around here, right?” Kurt asks, script forgotten for the time being. This is already going so much better than his last date had.

“It's the accent that gave me away, right,” James winks, winks at him. “I'm from Cambridge, dared to get my Bachelor degree from Oxford, and will hopefully finish my Masters in Business this year at NYU.”

“Wow!” Kurt repeats James' earlier reaction. “You must be pretty smart if you went to Oxford.”

“Or suicidal,” James jokes. “That rivalry between Oxford and Cambridge isn't just a myth you know.”

And Kurt giggles. He honest to God giggles which is something he rarely does. And he's pretty sure he's smiling with all his teeth on display, which is even more unusual. Ten minutes of conversation and Kurt is smitten. Had he known that the NYU business department was hiding men like James he would have dropped by years ago.

“So listen Kurt. My next class is going to start soon but I'd like to talk to you again. Maybe over dinner some time?”

Kurt damns his complexion when he feels his cheeks heat up once more.

“I would like that very much.”

Before James puts his book back into his bag they exchange phone numbers and James promises to call after his exam the next day.

Kurt's on cloud nine as he walks to rehearsal half an hour later, James' number stored in his phone. Because he can see himself marrying this man one day. Hed be crazy not to.