Phillip Graves, a man deeply devoted in his faith as a Christian, envisioned a life with a beautiful wife, a household bustling with children, and perhaps a Border Collie on a quiet little farm.

That was the vision his family had for him, and Phillip simply went along with it.

But Phillip had a secret desire, a forbidden longing to be with another man, but he knew that such thoughts were deemed sinful. In his mind, God didn't condone sinners, especially not homosexuals. Week after week, he found himself on his knees in prayer, pleading for acceptance, making himself believe his impure thoughts to outside influences.

Then there was you. Oh, how he prayed extra every time thoughts of you crossed his mind—your lips, your captivating eyes, the way your laughter would cause your hat to tumble off. You were simply irresistible, and Phillip yearned to express his love for you, to shower you with the affection both of you craved.

But fear held him back. Fear of his own feelings, fear of damnation, fear of being exposed. He couldn't decipher your thoughts, as you were not someone he could easily read, which only fueled his curiosity further.

Last night, however, something changed. In a moment of heated passion, you both succumbed to your desires, indulging in what Phillip could only describe as sinful. Your voice, your touch, your breath—everything he longed for yet had him disgusted all at once.

Now, the two of you sat side by side on a hill, watching over the sheep, deliberately avoiding eye contact and maintaining a distance between yourselves. The day had been largely silent, with Phillip only speaking when necessary to direct the sheep.

"You know I ain’t queer," he declared, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

You remained silent, his admission echoing in your mind as you absently toyed with your hat. After a moment, you responded softly, "Me neither."