coming-out
coming-out
Jesse Dewitt’s long day just got worse when he came home, feeling dirty and smelling of used engine oil, to find five empty pie plates in the sink. The tasty blueberry and lemon pies he’d made with love only yesterday; all gone. He tried to centre himself, but even after a few deep breaths, he couldn’t contain his anger.
“Brandon Bradford!”
Bran’s face popped out of his bedroom door. “What did I do?”
“You’ve eaten my pies.”
“Not me.”
Jesse’s glare said, “Yeah, sure.”
“I swear I didn’t touch your pies.” Brandon had a cocky smile on his face. “I’d ask Hanson if I were you.”
No way Lloyd ate a whole pie, let alone five. Unless…
“Bran! You dared him? I can’t believe this.”
“It’s just a few pies. Why are you being so anal, dude?”
“You know how important tonight is for me.”
Recognition passed over Bran’s face. “Shit! It’s tonight?”
“Yeah.”
Jesse pinched his lips to stop himself from saying something he’d regret.
Brandon slumped with guilt. “I’m sorry. I should have wondered why we had fresh homemade pies.”
Jesse rolled his eyes. He’d worked hard on those and made some extra just in case Brandon took some before tonight. He figured Brandon would take a piece or two. He should have known better.
“It’s too late now, but could you at least clean the kitchen while I’m in the shower?”
Jesse didn’t wait for an answer and made his way to the bathroom. He threw the greasy overalls and his work T-shirt into the washing machine and turned on the water. He stepped into the shower and let the warm water wash away the disappointment and relax his muscles. He squeezed the back of his neck as water ran down his face.
When his father’s cold had turned into pneumonia, Jesse had been made responsible for the family business for the first time. And as if the new responsibilities weren’t stressful enough, Jesse had chosen this weekend to invite Felix-Antonin to meet his best friends.
Jesse really wanted it to work out with FA, more than with any other boyfriend before.
Cover created by MC Houle, For the Love is an Open Road Event Publication Dates to be determined
I flexed my knee at the correct angle on my skateboard, when I noticed Ryan Beaulieu stretching in his front yard. His white T-shirt with the large red-and-yellow dinosaur from the University of Calgary’s team logo moulded the form of his every muscle. My feet knocked on each other, and I crashed to the street. Of course, he looked up at that exact moment. He flashed his now brace-free teeth at me as if I hadn’t just made a fool of myself. I jumped back on my skateboard. I wanted to prove I wasn’t a dork, but as I attempted my jump again, he stretched back. His T-shirt slid up and gave me a sweet view of his belly. My eyes lingered at the dark happy trail, and I missed my jump again. This time, I landed on my feet, my board knocking on the sideway at Ryan’s house. I jogged to it, embarrassed.
Ryan leaned on his elbows and watched me approach. He had to know I had done those jumps a million times. He stood as I got there, stretching his arms in the air, giving me a closer look at his belly. Damn his lower ab muscles were defined.
“Aaron.”
The way he said my name, low and sweet. I forced my eyes away.