The next few days went by and it was soon Wednesday. Nick was looking forward to meeting up with George that night for drinks. Although he still wondered if it was a good idea, there was no backing out now. No, he had to make it up to George for being just so... awkward. Perhaps “awkward” was too kind a word.

In the meantime, Nick had to keep himself busy. Once or twice, his eyes flicked over to a shelf where the small motel notepad depicting the drawing he’d done of George sat. Ever since their sessions, he'd been itching to draw. It was almost overwhelming how intensely he wanted to just sketch something—anything! Yet, the few times he picked up the pencil, the muse drained away.

Perhaps the only thing he really wanted to draw right now was George.

The thought made his heart race, filling him with energy. Soon enough, afraid that he'd wear a path in the carpet, he grabbed the keys for his post box and left the apartment. He opted to take the stairs instead of the elevator down to the lobby so that he could burn off some of that energy.

Once he arrived at and unlocked his post office box, he pulled out a handful of mail. Most of it was junk mail that Nick immediately tossed into the garbage can nearby. There was one piece of mail, though, that caught his attention: an envelope from a wills and estates solicitor from Lawson and Slater. The name didn't particularly mean anything to him, but it sounded legit.

His eyes narrowed. Hmm.

Nick refrained from opening the envelope until he was back in his apartment. Once the paper was removed and unfolded, his eyes scanned over the typed words. He’d been contacted regarding the matter of a deceased relative’s will.

Great Uncle Jasper was a hard old man that Nick didn't have many fond memories of. Not only was he homophobic, reminding Nick that he'd burn in Hell the few times they've met, but they hadn't been in touch for years. When Nick heard about his death through his mother, he didn't shed a tear. The old bastard had a good run, anyway.

Given how much Great Uncle Jasper despised him, why was he a part of his will? Curiosity got the best of him as he picked up his phone and called the number listed. After a brief chat with the receptionist, he was told that he could come in right away.

His imagination ran wild as he thanked them, then headed out. As he drove to the office, his intrigue only grew tenfold. All he could hope was that he somehow wasn't stuck with Great Uncle Jasper's debt, or something. Not long after, he was in a private office and seated in front of an older man with slicked-back silver hair.

“Hello, Mr. Morgan,” the man greeted as he held out a hand across the oak table. “I'm Mr. Lawson. You must be wondering what brings you here today.”

“I am, sir,” Nick said as he shook the man's hand in return before settling back.

“Your Great Uncle Jasper has named you in his will. He's left you with $250,000.”

“The fuck?!” Nick exclaimed, unsure if he heard that right. There was absolutely no way in hell that son-of-a-bitch left him a quarter million dollars. He'd never known the man to be rich. Did he have a whole other life kept secret from him and the rest of the family? “There has to be a mistake. There's no way he's left me money, especially that much money.”

“I assure you that there is no mistake,” Lawson stated.

Nick was still in shock as he tried to process this. That amount of money suddenly falling into his hands was unreal. “What's the catch?” he croaked.

Lawson shifted as he leaned forward, his hands clasped together with his elbows against the desk. “His only condition is that you'd get this money when you're married.”

Ah ha! So that was the catch! That was much more believable and like him. Great Uncle Jasper had probably meant to use this money to entice Nick to not be gay and settle down with a nice woman instead. The asshole probably didn't think to update his will and condition once gay marriage had been legalized. That meant he'd probably put this in his will when Nick was still a young teenager trying to figure things out. It was because of him that Nick had been closeted to begin with. He'd always been wary of the guy, but it was only after Great Uncle Jasper caught him watching gay porn that he truly feared him. That was a visit that Nick would never forget.

“There's also a strict time limit,” Mr. Lawson continued, watching Nick carefully.

“Well, that's great news since I'm already engaged,” Nick blurted out without even thinking of it.

“Is that so? Well, congratulations!” Lawson said with a practiced smile. “When's the wedding?”

“Next week,” Nick responded, all of the internal alarm bells screaming at him to stop what he was doing. His mouth was working much faster than his rationale, though. How could he be expected to think straight when all he saw were dollar signs in his mind's eye?

“Oh!” Lawson looked surprised, perhaps even a bit suspicious, as he straightened up. “Well, we'll get started on the paperwork so that the rest of it can be done once you're married.”

“Sounds good to me,” Nick said with a smile that masked the chaos he felt inside. After the paperwork was signed, which Nick barely remembered even doing since everything was a blur, he strode briskly out of the business building and toward his car. He’d barely settled into his seat before he dug out his phone and called Jett.

“Jett, I need your help. I think I just royally fucked myself in the ass.”