Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 73010 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73010 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
“Do you share a bathroom too?” John asks.
“Yeah, sorry.”
“No, it’s okay, just gotta take a leak.”
“It’s down the hall,” I mutter.
I tidy up while he’s in there, embarrassed by my pile of clothes in the corner. To my credit, I left within twenty-four hours of hearing about my grandfather. As I toss my jeans in the hamper, I remember that I was way neater when John and I lived together, mostly because it was his parents’ house.
Grandpa never cared about my habits unless they imposed upon his collection of clutter. I wish I’d paid better attention to the things he held on to as opposed to tossing them. Come to think of it, he was pretty insistent on going through the mail and disposing of the trash himself. I always thought it was because he didn’t want me to lose any important papers or see any of the bills piling up.
When John returns, I take my turn in the bathroom. I stare at my reflection as I wash my hands, scarcely believing that John is actually here with me. Like I always pictured. But dreams certainly do not reflect our reality.
“Wanna get some food?” I ask from the doorway.
“Sounds good.”
He follows me out to the living room to slip into our shoes. My plan is to discuss the divorce during our meal, but John invites Dennis to tag along.
“You sure you don’t mind?” Dennis asks.
“Of course not,” I reply, honestly a bit relieved, and soon enough, we’re out the door and walking the few blocks to WeHo.
“This area is awesome,” John says as he takes in the thriving neighborhood.
“Right?” I playfully bump his shoulder. “It’s the gay mecca of LA.”
“I can see that,” he replies as his gaze snags on some men in leather harnesses in front of a gay bar. “Plus, there’s tons of restaurants to choose from.”
“Too many sometimes,” Dennis points out. “How about this taco place?”
John smiles, either because someone else made the decision or the fact that the place is unpretentious. “Sounds good to me.”
We step inside the small place with the Día de los Muertos decor and grab a booth. Once our margaritas and guac are delivered and our taco orders placed, Dennis asks, “So, you were raised in Aqua Vista?”
I watch as John licks the salt from his lips, and I have the urge to do it for him. I look away as he replies, “Yep.”
“I bet it’s picturesque.”
He nods. “Small with gorgeous views.”
“Small isn’t such a bad thing. I transferred here from a tiny town outside of Austin.”
“For your job?” John asks as he dips a chip in the guacamole.
“Uh-huh. No way to move up the ladder at that location.”
John winks playfully. “Looks like you needed to spread your wings too.”
Dennis looks between John and me as our eyes connect and hold. There’s tension in the air, but not the kind my roommate might expect. I recognize that playful glint in John’s eyes. He’s trying to make light of the situation. When my foot brushes over his under the table, he clears his throat and his eyes grow dark. He wants me as much as I want him, and the feeling is gratifying after so many years.
“Which reminds me…” Dennis says, and our gazes break apart. Christ, what he must be thinking. “This audition tomorrow sounds important.”
“It could be. If I get the part, it might springboard me to larger roles.”
“I hope it does. Keira was excited to hear it’s for Cold Blade. She said to tell you to break a leg or whatever.” His fiancée is really sweet, and I appreciate the support.
“Thanks.”
When our food is delivered, we scarf down our tacos.
“So, how was returning to Aqua Vista?” Dennis asks me.
“Sort of hard. Because of my grandfather, of course.”
I avoid John’s gaze, leaving out the other reason it’s been difficult.
“So he left you his house?”
“Uh-huh, and his fishing boat.”
Dennis’s eyebrows rise to his hairline. “Fishing?”
“Micah loves to fish,” John says. “He didn’t tell you?”
“Nope.” Dennis wipes his mouth and pushes his plate away. “Now I need to hear more.”
I cover the bases about my grandfather’s job and boat and how I enjoyed going out with him as a kid.
“I can’t believe I didn’t know this about you. So why did you stop?”
The server thankfully brings the check. “That’s a whole other story. For another time.”
19
JOHN
“I’ll sleep on the couch, and you take my bed,” Micah says, reaching for a pillow.
I stare at him. “You’re serious?”
I’m standing shirtless and ready to slip off my jeans, and he averts his eyes. “I don’t want to make any assumptions, J.”
“You’ve already slept in my bed, and unless you mind, I’d like you to stay.”
Relief crosses his features. “I also need to get up early and don’t want to wake you.”
“That’s not a problem.” I place my clothes in a pile on the floor, and we stand on opposite sides of the bed, studying the other’s form, even though we’re more than familiar with each other’s bodies. Not much has changed on Micah’s except maybe being more toned in his chest and arms. His waist is still lean, the freckles above the waistband fanning out in a pattern I’ve explored with my fingers and mouth. The growing outline of his cock against his briefs makes my mouth run dry. Before I melt under his hot gaze, I ask, “Mind if I tag along tomorrow?”