Sometimes you have to look to the past to find your future.
Rob Gentner thought he’d moved on from his family’s lack of acceptance after they discover he’s gay. But when he and his partner return to his hometown for his father’s funeral, he realizes some hurts you never outgrow. His first summer home from college and accidental outing is a story he’s never shared with David. Until now.
Caring for Rob is David Morris’ great, if not always easy, passion in life. He knows Rob never made peace with his father but doesn’t know why. Can he find a way to help Rob get the closure he needs to focus on their future?
Together, the two men revisit Rob’s past and discover that while first times will always be remembered, the last time is the one that truly counts.
The mat at the front entrance chimed and Rob lifted his head to see who it was and turned away just as quickly. Crap. Rob chewed on his lower lip while Barry’s voice droned on in his ear. Unable to help himself, Rob dared another glance as the man carried his duffle bag to the end row of washers.
Rob had first noticed him two or three Saturdays ago. Four, actually. His brain helpfully supplied. Nothing too out of the ordinary, a single guy and his laundry strolling in right before the last load time posted on the front door.
He probably rented one of the cheaper units in the nearby apartment complex, unwilling to pay the extra cost for the so-called convenience of a pint-sized washer and dryer unit that wouldn’t even handle three towels. Despite the way he captured Rob’s attention he washed, dried, folded his clothes, and walked out each time with nothing more than a nod in Rob’s direction.
“Did I tell you Rachel Wallis and her amazing ta-tas is supposed to be there tonight?”
Rob ignored Barry’s continued campaign and grabbed the next huge bag of dirty laundry and dumped the contents into the sorting cart. He squatted to pick up the items that missed.
“She keeps asking me how you like college, and what you’re up to.” Barry fed some coins into the vending machine and Rob listened to the familiar clunk as a soda dropped in his friend’s eager hands. “She’s still got it bad, must be all your tall, pale, and skinny. You show up tonight and even without the six-pack she cost me I bet you could hit that.” The soda hissed agreement as Barry popped the tab, bubbles rushing to the opening.
Rob stood back up, absently tugging at his fallen shorts once again. Somehow, he had managed to lose a freshman fifteen, not gain. He either needed to buy a better fitting pair or regain some weight. He turned to tease Barry about his soda addiction only to stop, surprised to find the newcomer joined Barry at the counter, his brown eyes fixed on where Rob’s hand still rested on his waistband.
“Can I get change here?”
The guy had a nice voice, almost gentle. For once Barry shuffled out of the way without Rob reminding him. His soda dragged along with him, leaving wet trails of condensation on the counter. Rob swallowed, staring at the mess as he silently took the offered bill and returned the change.
Of course, the first time he approached Rob, it had to happen with Barry around. Rob caught a quick flash of silver; a broad band encircling the man’s thumb and then it disappeared, folded over the coins. Rob waited for him to walk away, hoping like hell his ability to breathe would return once he did.
“Thanks.” The guy held his ground, and Rob looked up in time to catch a flirtatious smile. “Your name’s Rob, right?”
Rob nodded. He cast a glance to the side, all too conscious of Barry’s closeness.
“I’m Corey.”
Despite his desperate mental plea, Rob’s mouth and brain refused to communicate. He bobbed his head once again, willing himself to say something that wouldn’t sound stupid or juvenile.
“I guess I’ll be seeing you around.”
Rob’s gaze followed the scuffed, brown boots as they trailed back to the washers. Barry started in, nothing different than a hundred times before when customers had interrupted them, but all of Rob’s focus stayed on the close fit of faded denim as Corey strolled away from him. Rob mentally traced the long stretch of leg, paused at the soft gray T-shirt pulled over a curving slab of back muscle, and continued to the black, curly hair pushed behind the glint of more silver. He shivered.
You’re an idiot. Rob chastised himself as his mind abruptly re-engaged, flooding with appropriate replies to Corey’s conversational opener. There shouldn’t be anything special about him, just another guy here to wash his clothes. Rob couldn’t understand his fascination. Well, that was the problem, Rob wiped at his suddenly dry lips. He could.
“You aren’t even listening to me,” Barry complained. His knuckles rapped the counter in a bid for Rob’s attention. “Something’s different. You’ve acted weird ever since you went off to college.
Rob froze. If Barry, not the most intuitive person noticed, had anyone else? Things were different. At least, Rob was. Going away to a different school than his classmates and freed from expectations of anyone he’d known growing up, he found opportunities he never expected. He had been lonely in the beginning, but he learned about himself too, finally paying attention instead of drifting along. How had he not known?
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