by K-lee Klein
“No, everything is so right. I don’t mean the party. It is what it is, you know? But my brother…big sisters worry, and I’ve always worried a lot about him.”
Devon reflected on what that meant. “Because of the OCD and anxiety stuff?”
“When we were growing up, he was teased mercilessly because of that, and well, everything, I guess. But Scott’s still naïve, you know? He’s got a good heart and I always hoped someone would see past his eccentricities to the emotion and love inside.” Deanna stopped but Devon could see she wasn’t done. He waited her out. “I know that sounds weird. Scott’s never been an emotional guy. He’s really good at hiding how he’s feeling or hurting. But the way he looks at you, Devon. Well, I never thought I’d see him like that.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” Devon jested. “But there’s more?”
Deanna tipped her head to the sky. “Just don’t hurt him. Or if things don’t work out, can you tell me, so I can be there for him?”
His answer was swift because there was no mistaken how he felt about the question. “Absolutely. Maybe he hasn’t mentioned it to you, but I’m all in. I’m serious as a heart attack about him. There’s nothing I don’t like, even his inability to stand up to your mom.”
“That’s not unusual, trust me. Can I give you some advice?”
“Shoot,” Devon told her.
Deanna licked her lips then took a deep breath. “If he tries to push you away, be really sure that’s what he wants.”
“I think he’s already tried that more than once.” Devon fingered the hair tie at the back of his head. “But I’m not much of a pushover. He’s going to have to try fucking hard to shake me.”
Scott’s sister looked appeased. “You are a god among men, Devon.”
Devon enacted a little bow. “Thank you, my lady. Now what did you say about the rest of that beer?”
He lasted another hour before being ignored, and in the case of Barbara, shunned, pushed his frustration limit over the edge. He told Deanna that he’d be back but needed some air, then snuck out to his car. He had no destination in mind and had planned on driving around to clear his head, but when he reached the public beach he couldn’t resist.
Trudging along in his sneakers wasn’t ideal and before long he was barefoot and enjoying the cool sand on his toes. He sat near the water’s edge, the moon and one far-off floodlight providing the perfect ambiance as he peered out at the water. It was a perfect night. The kind of thing he’d like to do with Scott. Romance in the moonlight sounded like a beautiful plan. But it could wait for another time and place.
He’d lost all track of time when the unmistakable sound of someone walking in the sand close to him made him twist around. “Hey,” he called out. “Aren’t you supposed to be glued to your mother’s side?” He immediately regretted saying it.
“That bad, huh?” Scott asked, stumbling up beside Devon. “I missed you.”
“Ah that’s the sweetest thing I’ve heard all night.”
Scott flinched, his pale skin glowing under the moonlight. “I’m sorry, Dev. I acted horribly.”
Devon stepped into his chivalrous role. “How about we go sit on a bench?” he suggested. “Don’t have to get your pants dirty, sweetheart.”
“Good thing I’ve come prepared then.” Scott set a bag on the sand before flicking a big towel in the air and laying it alongside Devon. He plunked down on it, grinning like a loon.
Devon took advantage of the situation and leaned in for a kiss. “You’re a smart cookie like your sister.”
Scott snorted. “She’s the one who told me to bring the towel.”
Craning his neck, Devon scoped out the parking lot. His car was the only one in sight. “You didn’t walk, did you?”
“She dropped me off so I guess you’re stuck with me.” He brought his knees to his chest and wrapping his arms tightly around them. “I’m sorry, Dev. I know I suck at this stuff.”
“I get it. It was awkward, but I get it.”
Scott hid his face against his knees. “I introduced you as my friend.”
Devon chuckled, leaning into Scott. “I could’ve done without that,” he admitted. “I haven’t been in the closet for a long time. I hope you didn’t come here to tell me you got engaged since I left the house, though. Found your baby mama?” He snickered again but Scott didn’t seem to share his amusement.
“Jeez. I had no idea my mother had so many friends with single daughters. Do you know she even tried to pawn me off on someone twenty years older than me?”
It didn’t sit right in Devon’s head. “How would that work if she’s after grandkids?”
Scott tapped his chin on his knees. “That’s the worst part. The woman works in a fertility clinic and Mother actually told her I might need assistance in that regard anyhow.”
Devon fell back, laughing so hard he could barely breath. Sand landed in his mouth and hair but he didn’t care. Scott elbowed him in the ribs but made no move to leave or hang more of a beating on him. “She told someone you had issues with your swimmers? That’s cold, man.”
With a sigh, Scott bent sideways to lean his head on Devon’s chest. “It’s not the first time, you know? I think she’s been trying to set me up for years, but I didn’t notice because I didn’t care.”
Devon stroked his stiff hair. “But now you do?”
Scott banged his head against Devon’s sternum. “Of course, I do. I love you, but now I’m worried that…” He didn’t finish the thought, so Devon thumbed his jaw until he looked up.
“You’re worried about what? Your mother hiring a hitman to take me out, or maybe to kidnap you so she can hurry you to the altar?” When Scott’s eyebrows tugged into a V, Devon knew he’d overstepped again. Listening, good. Constantly using humor to deal with an important situation, bad. “Sorry.”
He remained quiet, making a conscious effort not to say anything else stupid. After a few minutes, Scott spoke. “I’ve never known how to act around my mother and her friends. Deanna was the rebel, but I’ve always felt out of place.”
“You’re not the only one. I was pretty damn uncomfortable, too.”
“I don’t want you to hold my mother against me,” Scott said it in one long rush of words. Misplaced grief shone brightly in Scott’s eyes and Devon’s heart felt the burn. “I mean, don’t leave me because of her, please?”
“What are you talking about?”
“I don’t know if I’m relationship material, Dev.”
Devon tapped Scott’s shoulder so they could sit straight again. He tugged Scott close, winding an arm around his waist. “Did I ever tell you about my first real relationship?”
Scott tilted his head. “He was controlling?”
“That’s an understatement. My mom and Shaun hated him, hated how he treated me. But I was young and he was very experienced. I thought that was part of being with someone, you know? I thought it he took charge all the time, it meant he loved me so much he wanted to do everything for me.”
“You were wrong?” Scott asked softly.
“It took me months to get over him, and that was after I caught him with other men, twice. My family never lorded that over me, though. They never said I told you so. My mom…well, you know my mom was my heart. She said we learn through doing, not just saying. Experiencing things, even things that turn out bad in the end, makes us better people. More well-rounded I think were the words she used.”
“I’m sorry you went through that.” Emotion made Scott’s voice deeper. He cleared his throat then asked, “But it’s different with my mother, isn’t it?”
Devon shrugged, twisted to kiss the side of Scott’s head. “Maybe it was a bad analogy. Can I tell you what I was getting at?” Scott nodded. “Being in that abusive relationship, changed me. I believe it made me stronger and more likely to not take anyone else’s shit. You’re the same. You may not think it but you’re stronger than anyone I’ve ever met.”
“Dev.” Scott bowed his hea
d, but Devon wouldn’t have that.
He cradled Scott’s face between his hands and kissed him slow and tender. “I’m not blind, sweetheart. Your mother didn’t hold anything back in making me feel unwanted, and maybe I should care about that because she’s your mom.” He shrugged, words trailing off until he could find them again. “I told your sister I’d do anything for you and I meant it. I have a family of my choosing and I don’t expect or need your mom to be part of it. It’s really her choice, not mine.”
Scott tucked his head against Devon’s and breathed heavily. Devon wasn’t sure if he was winded or upset but he held him and let Scott call the shots.
“I don’t deserve you,” Scott mumbled. “But I believe you.”
“Well, I don’t think I deserve you either so we’re even. That’s all that matters, right?”
Scott gazed at the dark sky. “Did I ever tell you I thought you were too young for me?”
Devon wrinkled up his nose. “What? I thought I was just too cool for you.” Scott slapped him and Devon knew he deserved it.
“No,” Scott began. “I thought you were in your early twenties.”
“Robbing the cradle? Shame on you, Mr. Weston.”
Scott rolled his eyes. “Not quite, jerk.”
They watched the moon reflecting on the water for a while, silent but comfortable. Scott spoke first, “It’s really nice here. I’ve never been at the beach at night before.”
“I’ll take you anytime, sweetheart.” Devon eyed Scott, knowing he was struggling with something. “Something wrong?”
“Have I mentioned that I hate sand?”
Laughter shoved up Devon’s throat and he guffawed to the sky. “Yeah, you did,” he eventually managed. “Time to go back to the house?”
“Well,” Scott interrupted. He paused, grabbing Devon’s shoulder to push himself to his feet. He waved a duffle bag at him. “I thought we’d skip the rest of the party.”
Devon stood up, brushing sand away. “Whatcha got in mind?”
“Illicit rendezvous in Parksville?”
“You got that from your sister too, didn’t you?”
Scott looked guilty. “She’s always had a better imagination.” He reached for the towel, but Devon beat him to it. He shook it out, grabbed his shoes and socks, then Scott took his other hand.
Devon was positive his smile was as bright as the moon when he boasted, “Grey Goose Motel, here we come.”
“Definitely not,” Scott answered, stumbling in the sand. He went down on one knee, swearing. “I’d rather sleep in the car.”
Devon slid on his shoes when they reached the parking lot. “Hey, Scott! Know what day it is tomorrow?”
“Sunday,” Scott replied, without thought.
“Best day of the week for lazying around, right?”
“After we get home, Dev.”
“But the Grey Goose has a porch swing out back.”
“No.”
“Does that mean we’ll discuss it?”
“No.”
“But, sweetheart, I love you to the moon and back.”
“Back atcha, Devastation. But the answer is still no.”
“Spoil sport.”
“Not the first time you’ve said that.”
“And probably not the last.”
THE END
K-LEE KLEIN
K-lee Klein loves guys with long hair and tattoos, and you’ll often find her front and center at her favorite rock concerts. She has bounced around Western Canada all her life but will always consider the solitude and beauty of the British Columbian mountains home. Her life is blessed as the proud mother of three now-grown but still spoiled kids, the servant of two bossy felines, and the wife of a truly patient husband.
Her writing muse is terribly temperamental, so to keep him close by and in check, she had him inked on her left calf. The gorgeous, long-haired, mostly naked, kneeling angel that resulted is truly a work of art, although he’s still a handful and hopelessly uncontrollable. She writes on his schedule and inspiration.
K-lee tends to fall easily into obsessions. When something grabs her attention, she jumps into it headfirst with complete abandon. Actors, musicians, superheroes, fictional characters, and brainwashed assassins all hold spots on her cannot-get-enough list. She once followed Thirty Seconds to Mars around the United States and Canada and saw them perform fourteen times that year. Obsession sometimes leads to ideas for her kneeling angel to turn into stories.
Although an introvert in person, she’s extroverted online and has met many wonderful friends there, sometimes with the added fun of meeting them in person at gay romance conferences. She’s grateful for all the people in her life who accept her as she is and support her through her ups and downs as mom, wife, and joyfully obsessed writer.
Places to find K-lee.
Email | Blog | Twitter Website | Facebook |
K-Lee's Krazies Facebook Group
OTHER BOOKS BY K-LEE KLEIN
Series Titles
Countdown to Daddies
Book 1: Countdown to Daddies
Book 2: Countdown to Santa
Family of Misfits
Book 1: Lucius’ Bite
Book 2: Ali's Intuition
Book 3: Manny's Heart
Stone Magic
Book 1: Moonstone
Unbreak My Heart
Book 1: Unbreak My Heart
Book 2: Unbroken Hearts
Welcome to Loveland
Book 1: Lucky in Loveland
Book 2: Lost in Loveland
Book 3: Mistletoe Reunion in Loveland
Book 4: Finding Forever in Loveland
Book 5: Winter Lights in Loveland
Book 6: Around Loveland Books 3-5
Single Titles
Dancing for Diamond
Domestic Relations
Las Palabras de Amor
Outfoxed
CHECK OUT THE FIRST BOOK IN THE
STONE MAGIC SERIES
Moonstone
Ky’s a fighter. Blue’s an artist. But together they are truly magical.
Ky’s fought his way to the boxing championship for the third time, but now the fight of his life isn’t against an opponent in the ring. He’s battling a darkness within himself that he can’t ignore and can’t control. If he fails, everything he’s spent his life working for will be gone, and he can’t see a path to victory. Only a hunch sends him looking for help in the most unusual places.
Blue’s a quiet guy, living for his family and the art of his tattoos. He’s created his shop, Blue’s Dungeon, to be a place for the celebration of art on skin—simple, friendly, and mostly uncomplicated—and Blue likes it that way.
But when Ky shows up in Blue’s tattoo studio, desperately searching for a lifeline, it’s the beginning of something magical for both men…
