I HADN’T SLEPT MUCH OR even left my apartment since the day I’d gone to see Akio. I was running on fumes when I finally emerged to go to Jasper’s birthday party, but I also had adrenaline flowing through my veins. When I’d gone home that night, Jasper’s words had run in a constant loop in my head, refusing to be silenced. “You got to live a real-life love story,” he’d said.
Those words had sparked an entire storyline in my head, with characters screaming at me and visions flashing before my eyes until I’d had no choice but to put them to page. I’d sat down in front of my computer that night and began writing an epic love story, one that poured out of me faster than my fingers could type. I’d never written a story that quickly, but by the time I jumped in the shower to get ready for the party, it was nearly complete.
It had been a long time since I’d felt so energized and so creatively satisfied, and it wasn’t just the fact that I’d been writing nonstop for hours on end. I’d also made a bold decision, one that would hopefully lead to me being much happier in my career. I’d called my editor, Charlotte, and told her that I was back in Chicago. She was excited that I had a new story I was working on, but then I’d delivered the news.
“Tell Harrington Simmons that he’ll get the next book on time, but it won’t be this one because this story belongs to me. Also, this will be my last book with Simmons & Son. I’m not renewing my contract once I’ve published the final book I owe them.”
“What will you do instead?” she asked. I could hear the surprise in her voice.
“I’m going indie. I know it’ll be a lot more work and I’ll have to promote myself, but I also think it’ll give me a lot more creative freedom. I’m tired of having someone dictate my writing. I want to be able to write what I want, when I want,” I explained.
Charlotte was silent long enough that I checked my phone to make sure the call hadn’t been dropped, but then she spoke. “I am so happy for you, Garrett. Really, I think it’s a great idea and you’ve got such a solid fan base already that it won’t be hard to promote yourself.”
I blew out the breath I’d been holding. Apparently, I was more nervous about telling her than I’d realized but hearing her reaction had solidified that I was doing the right thing. “Thank you, Charlotte. It’s been a real pleasure working with you. You’re a great person and the best editor I know.”
“Well, I hope you don’t think you’re getting rid of me that easily,” she teased.
“What do you mean?”
“I have a clause in my contract that allows me to take editing jobs on the side if I choose. Simmons wasn’t very happy about it, but he knew I was the best in the industry and he wanted me on his team,” she announced. It wasn’t said smugly, just as a statement of fact, and Charlotte had numerous awards and client recommendations to back her claims.
I smiled. “You have no idea how happy I am to hear that.” We spoke for a while longer and I shared with her some of the details of my book. By the time we hung up, I’d felt excited and eager to start the new phase of my career.
I turned the car into Akio and Morgan’s driveway and got out. The party was being held on their property, and, from the looks of things, they and Travis had gone all out. Strands of lights hung delicately between the trees and circled down around the trunks. Tables were set up here and there, providing ample seating for the guests and large tiles had been laid in the grass, creating a dance floor next to where a live band was playing.
Several of the guests had arrived already, many whose faces I recognized. Akio’s parents were there, along with a couple of guys I recognized from Jasper’s tattoo shop. Morgan’s parents were there and his extended family as well. I’d met the Greene family members on a couple of occasions before I left town and they’d always struck me as a friendly, affectionate group who treated friends like they were a part of the family.
From what Travis and Jasper had told me, the Greenes fell in love with Akio the moment they met him, and since we were Akio’s best friends, they loved us too. They may love Jasper and Travis, but I wasn’t quite sure what kind of reception I’d receive, considering I’d upset Morgan and Akio. Especially Landon, who was not only Akio’s best friend, but Morgan’s favorite cousin.
I carried Jasper’s birthday present over to the gift table and set it down, then turned around, smiling when I saw my parents approaching. We exchanged hugs and talked for a few minutes until they were whisked away by Akio’s parents. I spotted Jasper talking with a few other guys and I headed that way. He smiled when he saw me walking over and broke away from the group.
“Happy birthday,” I said, pulling him into a hug. “Looks like a great party.”
“Yeah, I told the guys they didn’t need to do all this. I would’ve been fine just hanging out with you guys, but they insisted.”
“You only get your birthday once a year. It should be celebrated,” I reminded him.
“Yeah. I guess,” he grumbled, making me laugh.
For as long as I’d known him, Jasper had never liked being the center of attention. He was quiet and didn’t open up to very many people. In fact, Travis, Akio, myself, and now Morgan were probably the only people who knew what a great sense of humor he had or were aware that his artistic abilities ran much deeper than just a tattoo machine. He could also sketch and paint better than some of the more well-known artists. However, there were parts of Jasper that he hid, even from us. We didn’t like it, but we respected his need for privacy and trusted that he’d come to us if he ever needed anything.
“Hey, Jasper, Garrett, get over here,” I heard Akio shout from over near the bar area. He was standing with a group of guys and my stomach dropped as one of them turned around and I found myself face-to-face with Landon. I knew most of the people standing there; Landon and his husband, Micah; Landon’s younger brother, Caleb, with his husband, Giovanni; and of course, Akio and Morgan. There were three other men I didn’t recognize, but Akio quickly stepped in and made introductions.
“Guys, this is one of my very best friends, Garrett Sullivan. Garrett, this is Hudson, Isaac, and Matt. They run Agape House together.”
“Oh, I’ve heard a lot about that place and the work you’re doing there to help LGBTQ kids in Chicago. I think it’s fantastic,” I told them.
“Thank you,” the one named Matt said. “We’re very fortunate to have had such great support from the community. The work the Greenes all did, and especially Morgan and Akio, was invaluable to helping us get the new center up and running.”
“We couldn’t have done any of it without them,” Hudson added.
“Hey! What about me? I got up there and shook my booty in front of a crowd to raise money for those kids.” Everyone’s attention was drawn to someone behind me, so I looked over my shoulder, immediately recognizing Carter Greene coming our way, along with his husband, Ryan.
“True, but in all honesty, you do that every night on stage,” Caleb teased. He stuck his tongue out at his twin and everyone laughed. Carter pretended to pout, but Ryan threw an arm around his husband, planting a kiss on his bottom lip.
“Maybe you can shake that booty for me later,” Ryan murmured quietly. I was almost positive that he hadn’t meant for me to overhear that, or Carter’s response of, “Wearing only my guitar, baby.” I felt my face flush with heat and I quickly averted my eyes away from the sexy couple.
As the conversation around me began to flow, I lifted my beer to take a drink, but stopped when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I glanced beside me, surprised to see Landon had moved over and was actually smiling at me.
“Hey, Garrett. I heard you were back in town. How are you doing?”
“I’m…uh…I’m good, thanks,” I stammered, surprised that he seemed so friendly.
“How’s the writing going?” he asked.
“Good. Actually, I’m about to finish another one.”
“That’s great,” he said cheerfully. The whole thing was kind of freaking me out. I’d gone through several scenarios in my head of how he’d treat me when I saw him at the party, but none of them included him being friendly or asking me about my books. I decided to just go ahead and clear the air, that way I didn’t have to walk around on eggshells the rest of the night.
“Look, Landon. I know I fucked things up with Akio and Morgan awhile back…” Landon held a hand up to stop me.
“Morgan told me what happened and, to be honest, you weren’t my favorite person for a long time. But I see how happy Akio and your other friends are to have you back and Morgan said you and he were square. That’s good enough for me, okay?” I nodded at him, thankful to have the air cleared. He patted me on the shoulder then walked back over to his husband. I watched as the ex-Navy SEAL wrapped an arm around Landon, stealing a kiss before continuing his conversation with Giovanni.
I took a drink of my beer and looked around. As much as I loved being back with my friends, a part of me felt like I didn’t quite fit in, like something wasn’t quite right. Even the other night, when it had just been the five of us here at Akio and Morgan’s, I’d felt like something was off. I was sure that some of it could be explained by the fact that I’d been away for so long. Being gone for months on end was bound to leave me having to catch up on the people and events I’d missed, and, honestly, I’d expected it; but I knew that there was more to it than just that. Part of it, a rather large part, had to do with how much I was missing Dean. Even standing here, surrounded by friends, my heart screamed out that something was missing. Of course, it was much harder to cope with a broken heart when there were people in love everywhere I turned.
Travis walked over and threw his arm around me. “Where have you been?” I asked him.
“I was just getting a drink,” he said with a satisfied grin. I looked at him and then over to the bar where a different bartender than the one who had served me, was watching us. He shot Travis a wink and my head darted back to my friend. That’s when I noticed the slight flush to Travis’s face and his red, swollen lips.
I rolled my eyes. “You’re incorrigible, you know that?”
“Did you say incorrigible or irresistible? Because I’m hearing irresistible.” He flashed me his most charming smile and wiggled his brows up and down.
I chuckled. “Definitely incorrigible.”
Travis was still laughing when Morgan announced that dinner was ready. Travis and I joined the back of the line for food and Jasper came over to join us.
“Shouldn’t you be at the front of the line, birthday boy?” Travis asked.
“No, and don’t you dare make a scene or I’ll cut you,” Jasper threatened.
Travis opened his mouth to say something and I quickly clamped my hand over it. “It’s not worth it. Remember, you’re too pretty to cut,” I joked.
He nodded his head, so I removed my hand from his mouth. He clapped a large hand on my shoulder. “Thanks, man. You’re absolutely right. I am too pretty to cut,” he said with mock sincerity. Jasper and I both groaned and Travis cackled with laughter. Akio came over to see what was going on and I took the opportunity while I had the three of them alone to tell them my news.
“So, I’ve been thinking a lot about what you guys said the other night and I decided you were right. I was being stupid thinking that Dean would be embarrassed by me. He isn’t shallow, and he would never judge me. He’s the most amazing man I’ve ever known.” I stopped when my friends “Awwwed” in unison, but I could tell that they had actually meant it.
“So, I got a plane ticket and I’m flying to California in the morning. I don’t know if he’ll want me, but I have to find out, you know?”
“I think that’s great, man,” Travis said.
“You deserve to be happy,” Jasper added.
“I hate this,” I told them. “I just got back and now I’m leaving again.”
Akio cleared his throat and I noticed his eyes looked a bit watery. “You should do this, Garrett. You need to go there and tell Dean how you truly feel. Give him a chance to love you the way you deserve to be loved.”
“Yeah, and we’ll always be there for each other no matter where our lives take us,” Jasper reminded me softly.
“Because we’re the four musketeers, dammit,” Travis added, making us all chuckle.
I swallowed around the lump in my throat as I looked at the three men who were my brothers in every sense of the word. I had no idea what Dean’s reaction might be when he saw me again, but either way, I knew that I could always count on the three of them.
We ate dinner together and then everyone sang Happy Birthday to Jasper as Morgan and Giovanni carried out an enormous sheet cake. Jasper’s face was beet red by the time the song was finished and his candles had been blown out.
I stayed for another hour, but as the night got later, I knew I needed to get home and get to bed. I had an early flight the next day. I made my rounds, saying goodnight to my parents and friends and then walked out to my car. I’d already told my parents what my plans were, and while they were sad to see me go, they knew that this was something I needed to do.
As I drove home, I sifted through my memories of Dean, a small smile playing on my lips. I had stored every single detail in my mind, from the green of his eyes to the texture of his hair and the way his skin tasted under my tongue. Even now, I could almost feel the warmth of his hand in mine. I was so lost in my thoughts that I barely remembered the drive home. I pulled up in front of my building and got out, hitting the button to lock my car as I made my way quickly up the sidewalk. I was anxious to get inside and do a little bit of writing before I needed to get to sleep.
I started to climb the steps to the front door, but my feet froze in place when I heard someone call out my name. My heart thudded almost painfully against my ribs and my breathing turned shallow. I’d recognize that voice anywhere, but my mind refused to make sense of what was happening. Slowly, I turned around, searching until my eyes landed on a man.
He was standing next to a black SUV, but when he saw me stop, he started to approach. He was wearing a baseball hat, pulled low over his face, and dark sunglasses. To anyone else, he may look like he was up to no good, but my heart was shouting at me that him being there was a very good thing, an incredible thing.
“Dean?” I whispered breathlessly as he came to stand in front of me.
“Hey, baby.”