Billion Dollar Love: Manlove Edition
Page 32
Carson nodded. “What items can the library use? I’m sure you need supplies or stuff replaced. It doesn’t last forever.”
“Why?” He sipped his drink. “Are you offering?”
“Hey, I’m all about giving back,” Carson said. “I got my start at this high school, found my boyfriend here, and realized I’m not strange because I’m gay. I should give back. I’ve got the advantages to do so, so tell me how I can help you.”
He grasped Carson’s hand and let the words sink in for a little bit. Carson had such a big heart. Everyone forgot he could be nice because they assumed he’d be stuck up. Because he’d come from a nice family with money, everyone thought they knew him. They had no idea. His family loved him and he’d been given opportunities, but he wasn’t a jerk like many believed.
“What?” Carson blushed. “Did I say something wrong?”
“No,” Luke said. “We can always use new laptops and tablets for the students to use in the building. They can check out the older equipment and take it home, so it would be nice if we had more for them to use. I can always find space for more books, updated ones. We had to do a purge when the library became the media center. There isn’t a dedicated library any longer.”
“People like tech, but that’s sad. Books are important, too.” Carson sighed and scooted closer to Luke. “I forgot how chilly it gets at night.”
“Tonight’s a mild night.” Luke laughed again. “But you’re right. Books are important. I want the students to read more. I want them to understand social media isn’t the only place to get news. Hell, half of what’s on there isn’t real anyway. I’d love to have a class where they have to sort out the real from the fake—and I mean blatantly fake, like the stories about people having moon babies or they’re back from Mars.” He shook his head. “But I’m old school and want the kids to read. Some don’t know what a newspaper is.”
“Holy shit.” Carson shivered, then palmed Luke’s thigh. “You’re my kind of old school. Speaking of school, I want to help, and I’m donating to the library. I was approached already about donating to a scholarship, and I’ve been thinking about it since. What do you think about a scholarship for students interested in library sciences? Or something involving community work and making strides within said community? They have to do something, not just have good grades or look wonderful on paper.”
He stared at his boyfriend. Carson wasn’t just handsome and was more than a big heart. He had common sense, too. Students who might not be on track to become doctors or teachers needed opportunities, too. “Those are great ideas. You’ll need to speak to the principal, superintendent, and school board about them, I’m sure. I’ve never tried to implement a scholarship, but I’d start there. I’d also talk to them about your donations.”
“It can’t be too hard to figure out.” Carson sighed. “Next question. How is the cross-country team doing for equipment? Do they need anything? Tents? Help with shoes? Watches? I seem to remember we always needed something.”
Crap. He attended the school sponsored invitational meet, but he hadn’t checked in with the coach in a couple years. “They’ve expanded since we ran, and I’m sure they can use more uniforms,” Luke said. “I’d say call the coach, Coach Guinn. He’s still there. Why not consider donating watches for students who can’t afford a GPS version and donate money so if there are students who need a little help buying shoes or spikes, they can? The trails are still good, though. I run them three times a week.”
Carson kissed Luke on the temple. “I knew I loved you for a reason. I won’t have to run alone.” He draped his arm around Luke’s waist. “But it sure does sound like you’re trying to spend all of my money.”
He thought Carson wanted suggestions for where to send his donations. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.” Carson bumped shoulders with Luke. “I have too much money, and if I can help others, I’m all for doing it.” He tensed. “Fuck. We’ve been spotted.”
“I knew it’d happen sooner than later.” He noticed Beth and Chris approaching.
“Hi.” Beth sat beside Luke. “You all made a hasty exit last night.”
Chris plopped next to Carson. “We thought something might have happened,” Chris said. “Duncan was spitting fire.”
“I’ll bet.” Luke switched his attention between the game, Chris and Beth. “Duncan is highly strung.”
“I’m surprised to see you and Carson together.” Beth leaned into Luke. “Did you break your engagement with Duncan? I know you’d set a date.”
Engagement? He and Duncan weren’t dating, and he hadn’t agreed to any engagement. They’d only gone to the reunion because Luke hadn’t wanted to attend alone. “I’m sorry?”
“Tell me all about this engagement,” Carson said. He kept his arm around Luke. “My boyfriend never mentioned having a fiancé.”
“Well, I didn’t see it, but they were engaged. Everyone knew Luke and Duncan were together.” Beth nodded. Concern etched onto her face. “I heard you were engaged, and he popped the question in November. Everyone’s put bets in as to whether you’ll set a date, Luke.” She elbowed him. “Even I wondered.”
At least she was talking to him, not just about him. Luke nodded once. “It’s funny. Duncan and I weren’t together in November. We’d split up by then, and he was dating Ero at the time. If he says he proposed, then maybe it was to Ero, but it wasn’t to me.”
“Ero?” Chris’s eyes widened. “Duncan told me specifically you were engaged.”
“Told me you were moving into a condo in Lake Terrace Estates.” Beth shivered. “I’m guessing he lied.”
“Interesting,” Carson said. The corner of his mouth quirked.
“It’s one big lie.” Luke shifted his gaze between Beth and Chris. “Duncan lives for drama.”
Carson patted Luke’s ass. “Well, things happen.”
“We weren’t engaged. We barely got along when we were together, and we’d broken up when he says he popped the question,” Luke said. “Duncan probably did say he was marrying someone. I’m sure he wanted attention.”
“Maybe.” Beth frowned. “He spread rumors and lies.”
“Duncan couldn’t help himself,” Carson said. “He knew Luke and I were engaged, and I’m sure he shared the wrong names. Or he just thought he wanted to marry Luke. He knows I’ve got the best guy ever and he wanted what he had.”
Luke suppressed his shock. He and Carson were engaged? Cool, but it would’ve been nice to have been asked. He kept a straight face. Once he and Carson were alone, he’d get things straightened out.
“You are?” Chris blurted. “We thought you’d just hooked up.”
“I thought it was a let’s-do-this-one-more-time-for-old-time’s-sake fuck.” Beth shrugged. “I guess you’re vying for class couple now?”
“I figured you’d bring home some hotshot lawyer or someone fancier than Luke,” Chris said. “You always did like flair. Luke’s so plain.”
“He’s more than you think,” Carson said. He squeezed Luke’s ass. “But you’d have to get to know him.”
Boy, did they not know him. He laughed to himself. Wouldn’t Beth and Chris be shocked if they knew his secrets? They’d never believe he had tattoos and piercings.
“Well, okay.” Beth straightened up in her seat. “The reason we joined you was that we wondered if you’d given a thought to donating to the various scholarships and the alumni club.”
“I have.” Carson finished his drink. “I’ve got the ball rolling. Thanks for asking, and I’ll be in touch.”
“Oh. How will you be donating? We’d love to make an announcement at the dinner tomorrow,” Chris said. “Scholarship? Endowment?”
“I’m giving an endowment to the library and the cross-country team,” Carson said. “For now.”
“Wonderful.” Beth applauded. “I’m honored to know a celebrity.”
Luke groaned. Why didn’t she run up to the announcer’s booth and let everyone there know Carson
was in the house? Maybe someone hadn’t heard yet.
“Tonight, I’m not a celebrity. I’m an alumnus.” Carson grinned. “I’ll talk to you and the others about donations later. Why don’t we enjoy the game, since we’re here to watch it?”
“Sure,” Beth said. “Do you know any of the players?”
“Luke’s got me informed.” Carson bumped shoulders with Luke. “We’ll figure it out.”
“I’m sure you will.” Beth groaned and turned away from the aisle. “Duncan incoming.”
Lovely. Luke wished he could hide. Then again, if he hid, he’d never settle things with Duncan.
“Duncan, are you popping the question?” Beth asked. “I hear he’s seeing Carson.”
Duncan stood over Luke. “I was,” he said to Beth. “But things sort of fizzled.” He elbowed Luke out of the way. “Carson, we should get going.”
“You’re standing on my foot,” Luke said. “Get off.”
Carson held Luke’s hand. “Speaking of standing on people, I’m not wild about guys who can’t tell the truth, and you, Duncan, are that kind of man.”
“What?” Duncan moved over, standing in front of Luke. “Everyone needs to lie to get ahead. It’s nothing big.”
“I don’t,” Luke said.
“No? You fucked half the town,” Duncan said. “I heard it.”
Beth and Chris stared at Luke, who wanted to melt into the bleachers. Luke cringed. He’d let Carson know about his past. Why did everyone else need to know, too?
“Excuse me, but the moment you found out I was coming to town, you went through Luke to get to me. People in this town think you’re suave and polished,” Carson said. “You’re not. Luke’s history is just that, history. You’re a jerk all the time.”
“You’re wrong.” Duncan folded his arms. “Beth, Chris, don’t listen to this. He’s just trash talking because we opted to split amicably.”
Luke damn near choked. Split amicably? “You weren’t together in the first place, and you said you’d take him for all he was worth.” Let Duncan talk his way out of that one.
“Sounds like you started shit you can’t finish,” Chris said. “And to think, we were going to nominate you as the president of the alumni association.”
Luke scooted to the side, putting Duncan between him and Carson. It’d be the only time Duncan came between them now.
“You wanted me for my money, you’re pushy, you lie, and you have everyone snowed. Stop trying to be something you’re not,” Carson snapped. He turned to Beth and Chris. “I’m not president material, but you can’t get better than Luke. He’d represent the alumni well.”
“He would.” Beth grinned. “We’d be honored if you’d consider being the president.”
Luke stared at her. He had to be hearing her wrong. President? “I—yeah.”
“You can’t have him be the president. He sleeps around,” Duncan said. “He’s not trustworthy, and I’ve wanted that job since I came back to this rotten town.”
Carson left his seat and joined Luke on the other side of Duncan. “I’ve seen people like you all my life. You don’t think past right now and hose yourself.”
“I’m sorry,” Beth said. “We can’t have someone who spreads lies and innuendo on the board.”
“Better luck next time.” Chris shrugged.
“You can’t do that,” Duncan snapped. “I’m meant to be the president.”
“You’re meant to leave,” Luke said. “Go before you look even more foolish.”
“I can have any man I want,” Duncan growled. “I won’t make the mistake of lowering myself to your filth again. I can do better than any of you and this town.”
“Good luck,” Luke called as Duncan stormed away. He rubbed his face. “Sorry about that.”
“Why are you apologizing?” Chris asked. “I’d rather know now that he’s not board material, than finding out when he’s got power and is acting like a jackass.”
“Agreed.” Beth hugged Carson, then Luke. “Thank you for the donation, and Luke, we’ll be in touch about the presidency. You’re a custom fit.”
“Thanks.” The tips of Luke’s ears burned. He’d never thought he’d rise to the position of teacher, let alone representing the alumni. He owed the opportunity to Carson.
Chris stood, then gestured to Beth. “Come on. We still have to hit up Baxter Rose for money, too. Have a good evening and stay tuned for our call.”
“What a dick.” Carson snorted. “Duncan can only wish you’d marry him.”
“Duncan loves attention.” Luke stuffed his hands into his jacket pockets. “Speaking of Duncan, he’s down along the fence with a guy. Already.”
“Let him. He’s probably trying to salvage his image,” Carson said. “How about you, though. Mr. President. How cool is that?”
“I’ll believe it when it happens, but Chris and Beth did see you make hash out of Duncan,” Luke said. “Plus, he lost the job he’s wanted for the last five years. I doubt it’s enough to keep him on the straight and narrow, but you embarrassed him. He’s wounded.”
“He got his, and he won’t forget being passed over when you’re the president.” Carson laughed. “It might not turn him around, you’re right, but it’s going to remind him he made a mistake.”
“Speaking of mistakes, you made it sound like you’d asked me to marry you. Were you serious? Or putting them on? Was it a lie?”
“You bet your hot ass I’m going to marry you. I planned on asking, but not here. Too cliché.” Carson tucked Luke to his side. “I thought maybe a ride in a carriage or putting a ring into a champagne flute, but those aren’t really us.”
“No, they aren’t.” God, he loved Carson.
“You know, I waited to make it big before I came back to you. I’m not sure I want to want to waste time now.” Carson kissed Luke’s cheek. “But I will pop the question.”
“And I will say yes.” Nothing had ever felt so right as being with Carson.
“Good to know,” Carson said. “I love you.”
“Love you, too.” He kissed Carson. “I’m glad you came back and found me.”
“Me, too.” Carson grinned as the crowd cheered. “I’m sure the noise is for the game, but it might as well be for us. As long as you love me, I’m home.”
“I do.” Wherever Carson was, that’s where he’d be, too. He’d found his other half, the love of his life and belonging.
“Want to go home? I don’t need to see the rest of the game,” Carson said. “I’m thrilled to be an alumnus, but I’d rather just be with you.”
“Let’s go home.” He looked forward to the future and many years to come with the man he loved—Carson. Not bad for a man who defined himself by his life in the library. He’d finally gotten his storybook ending.
The End
Find more books from author Megan Slayer:
www.evernightpublishing.com/megan-slayer
If you enjoyed this anthology, you may also like:
Denying the Alpha: Manlove Edition
Lawless: Manlove Edition
Owned by the Alpha: Manlove Edition
Dark Captive: Manlove Edition
Bad Alpha: Manlove Edition
EVERNIGHT PUBLISHING ®
www.evernightpublishing.com