Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 84002 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84002 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Maybe they’d never know.
“I was going to say we should go out, but now I changed my mind. You were right. Let’s fuck.” Shane tugged at his underwear, making Van laugh. Shane joined in and Jesus, there was nothing better in the world than laughing with Shane.
He straddled Van, pushed him so he lay on his back. “Hard already?”
“I was hard the second you got out of the bathroom,” Van told him.
“Yeah, I get it. Hazard of being with someone as sexy as me, I guess.”
“Hey! What about me?” Van countered.
“Oh yeah.” Shane leaned forward and kissed his collarbone, then his neck. “Sexiest man I’ve ever seen. Sometimes I still can’t believe you’re mine.”
“I am,” Van replied and rolled his head to the side to give Shane better access.
“I know. And I’m yours.”
Van grabbed Shane’s ass and Shane’s lips pressed to his and—knock, knock, knock.
Shane sat up and frowned at him.
“Annie?” Van asked.
“I don’t think so.”
She’d gotten out of her residential program a couple weeks earlier. It hasn’t been a miracle treatment. She didn’t walk out magically cured because real life didn’t work that way, but she was doing well. A little better from what Van could tell. They were trying a new medication and she was working on techniques and coping mechanisms with the neuropsychologist she’d been referred to.
One step at a time. That’s all they could do was take it one step at a time.
Van swatted Shane’s ass. “Get some pants on. I’ll go check it out.”
Shane nodded and got up. He was doing a lot better with not taking everything on as his responsibility. The woman Annie had hired to help was great. She’d be taking her to her appointments and visited often. They got along well. Again, one step at a time.
Van adjusted himself as he walked down the hall. He wore jeans and no shirt, because before Shane had gotten out the shower, he was about ready to join him.
There was another knock on the door just as he reached it. He pulled it open. “Mom?”
“Of course, it’s me. Didn’t forget what I look like already, did you?” she asked, but with a gentleness to her voice she didn’t typically have. As though she was trying to sound sarcastic but didn’t know how.
“Nope, but I’ve been here a couple months and this is the first time I’ve seen you. This is definitely the first time you’ve been to our place so you can say I’m a little shocked.”
He looked over her shoulder and into the driveway, but her car wasn’t there.
“Who is it, babe?” Shane rounded the corner into the living room just as his mom said, “My car is at Annie’s. I spent some time with her today.”
Van didn’t have to turn around to know Shane frowned. To feel the confusion and tension pouring off his guy.
“You’re gonna have to catch me up here, Mom, because I’m a little confused.”
“Can we talk alone?” she asked.
“Anything you have to say to me, you can say in front of Shane.”
He felt Shane right behind him then, the warmth, the support.
“Okay,” his mom replied, surprising him. “I can understand that.”
Van couldn’t. Well, not his mom agreeing to it, at least. He hadn’t expected it…but he needed it. Fuck, he wanted it. Wanted this, just hadn’t thought it would ever happen.
Shane put a hand on Van’s waist, again letting him know he was there as Van asked, “Do you want to come in?”
“Yes,” she replied. “I’d like that very much.”
“Would you like something to drink?” Shane asked her.
“Yes…please…tea if you have it.” His mom’s eyes darted to Van’s lover, before she said, “Shane.”
As crazy as it sounded, there was so much in that, in her saying Shane’s name.
“Okay, no problem,” Shane replied. “I’ll get you a shirt, Van.” Shane disappeared down the hallway. He came back with a T-shirt on and then tossed a Last Chance Automotive shirt at Van.
He liked that, was sure Shane had done it on purpose too. They were together. They were in love. This was their life.
“Have a seat.” He nodded his head toward the couch and she sat down as Van pulled the tee over his head and Shane went to the kitchen.
He came back a moment later and handed her a drink, and gave Van a beer. Van looked up at him and Shane winked, then looked at Van with a raised brow as if to ask, should I go?
Van gave him a single nod, appreciating that Shane would do whatever he knew Van needed him to do. Van had also let his mother know where he and Shane stood.
“I’ll be on the deck if you need me.” Shane leaned over the back of the couch, kissed Van’s forehead, and left.
“You love him,” his mom said softly.
“I do.” Van shrugged. “And he loves me. He shows me every day that he loves me.”