THIRTY FOUR

I acted surprised because I knew when I saw him at Round One kissing that guy, but I would never have thought he would confess to me that he was gay.

"Oh...my," I breathed. "Since when?"

"Since forever," he told me, and my eyes grew wider. "Yeah, it has been that way ever since my mom put me in those pageants because she always wanted a daughter, but after she had me through a c-section, she couldn't have any more kids. So, to make her happy, I allowed her to dress me like a doll. I knew I enjoyed it and fell in love with it, but my dad didn't want a sissy son and demanded I act like the man he wanted me to be. I realize then I'm gay. I've been locked in the closet and did everything my father would be proud of me, sports, academics, everything that would please him."

"Then, did the rumors of you dating different girls happen?"

"No, I started that rumor so they would think I'm that guy."

"And dating Paris was a cover-up to hide your sexuality?"

He nodded. "When Paris asked me out, I t