by JJ Ellis
Jeromy looked at Riley like he had two heads. “Well, let’s see. I left Harper’s Rock at eighteen and have only been back once because my family moved away and now here I am about to make my debut as a newly outed gay man in front of a large group of my old friends. Nope, not nervous at all.”
Riley couldn’t help but laugh. “I told you, you should have come out on the internet. Then you’d already know how people feel.”
“Yeah, yeah. Shit,” he said wiping his damp hands on his jeans. “Is that the turn off up there?”
“Yep. Another two miles and we’ll be at my dad’s house.”
“I think I’ll just concentrate on the weddings. I’m going to be a dashing best man to my best friend, Mr. Michael Croft.”
“You are. And I’m going to be a dashing groomsman for my sister’s husband, Ben Croft!”
“You’re always dashing, Ri.” Jeromy blushed and looked out the passenger side window.
“And after two years, you still blush over me. I’m a lucky man.”
“Same. Jesus, look at this town. Does it ever change?”
“I think it’s against the county code to change,” Riley joked. “Here we are, Hilltop Drive. Home sweet home.”
“It looks like your dad is outside. Who is that with him?”
“Probably the new fiancée. I guess they are quite an item.” Riley pulled into the driveway and turned off the engine. “It’s just family right now. There won’t be any judgement.”
“I know. Thank you.”
Riley leaned over and kissed him. “Come on, we’ll do this together.”
Jeromy took Riley’s lead and stepped out of the car. The warm, clean air of Harper’s Rock was always good for the soul.
“Hey, Dad,” Riley said with a huge smile. “It’s good to be home.”
Johnny embraced his son. “Oh, Ri, it’s so good to have you home.”
“You still worry about me, huh?”
“Always,” Johnny said with a smile as he wiped his damp eyes.
“I’m all grown up and I have my head on straight. You can ease up on that now.”
Johnny looked over his son’s shoulder at the young man behind him.
“It’s okay, Dad. Jeromy knows everything about my past.”
“That is you, Jeromy Oliver. I remember you. I somehow didn’t realize that you were the one dating my son.”
“We did that on purpose, Dad. Jeromy isn’t completely out yet. This whole situation will be a huge deal for him.”
Johnny let go of his son and reached for Jeromy’s hand to shake. “It’s really good to see you. Apparently, my son has only told me a little about you.”
“I hope we’ll have plenty of time to get to know each other, sir.”
“He won’t be going anywhere anytime soon if I can help it,” Riley said kissing his boyfriend’s cheek.
Riley moved from Jeromy’s side and knelt in front of him.
“Ri...what are you doing?”
“Jeromy, you were always the one I was waiting for. The last two years have been the best of my life and I love you with all my heart. With the the help of my sister and your best friend, I want to know if you will marry me in the triple ceremony we have planned?”
“Ri...I...This is such a surprise.”
“Only to you, apparently,” Johnny laughed.
“I...I don’t know what to say.” Jeromy was on the verge of tears.
“Say yes,” a voice said from the doorway. Adella stood there holding a newborn baby.
“Thank you, sister,” Riley chuckled. “Please say yes, Jeromy.”
“Yes. Yes, I’ll marry you.”
Riley stood and the newly engaged couple embraced and kissed.
“Well, congratulations, gentlemen.”
“Jennifer sweetheart,” Johnny said reaching out to pull her close to his side. “This is my son Riley and his fiancé, Jeromy. Boys, this is my fiancée, Jennifer Crouch.”
“Miss Crouch?” Riley questioned. “As in my kindergarten teacher? I thought you moved away.”
The woman laughed and hugged Riley. “That’s me. I’m not surprised you didn’t recognize me. It’s been a while. I only moved back a year ago.”
“Come on everyone, let’s head inside, no reason to hang out here with all of the summer bugs,” Adella encouraged.
Madeline and Jeromy led the way and Riley held back a bit to hear his father’s whisper. “You’re happy now, son?”
“It’s the norm for me now, Dad. And it looks like it might be for you too,” he said nodding in the direction of their fiancées.”
“Yeah, life’s pretty good when you learn to be happy with who you are.”
“Exactly,” Riley agreed. “I stopped letting people define who I was and started doing it myself. That’s when happiness crept in.”
“I’m proud of you, son. I love you.”
“I love you too, Dad.”
NOTE TO MY READERS
If you or a loved one are having suicidal thoughts the Suicide Prevention Hotline is there to help. 1-800-273-8255
BULLYING IS A HUGE problem in today’s world. We all need to help fight this growing epidemic. Start a group or get involved in your school or community
If you or a loved one has cancer and need support call the Cancer Support Hotline 1-888-793-9355
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Did you love Defining Riley? Then you should read Anguish by JJ Ellis!
One young man
One desperate decision
Being a teenager is hard enough, but when you have a diagnosis of depression and anxiety life can feel like it is caving in on you. When you add in a new awareness of your sexuality and falling in love for the first time, life can become almost too much to bear.
Ben Harper is determined to make it all work with the help of his best friend and new love, JC Croft. But when his inner demons conspire against him, can he come out on top or will he be crushed by the pressure?
Read more at JJ Ellis’s site.
Also by JJ Ellis
A Baby Boomer Love Story
Finding Forgiveness
A Harper's Rock Legacy Novel
Defining Riley
A Harper's Rock Novel
Russell's Return
Logan's Leap
The Sunset Destiny Romances
Virgin Voyage - Mari's Story
Alaskan Ambush - Olivia's Story
Stormy Seas - Abigail's Story
Wild Waves - Vanessa's Story
Deception in Denali - Jackson's Story
The Heart of Alaska - Sunset Destiny Romance Prequel
Standalone
A Single Pink Rose
Fate's Encore: A Baby Boomer Love Story
Watch for more at JJ Ellis’s site.
About the Author
JJ Ellis is first and foremost the mother of five children, four girls, and one boy. She is also a wife, vlogger and author. She writes adult, YA and M/M romances.
JJ lives with her husband, kids, one crazy mutt, and one feisty cat in Casper, WY. She enjoys reading, writing, computing and graphic design. She is the author of a vlog entitled Adventures of an Author Mom on YouTube
Read more at JJ Ellis’s site.
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