Total pages in book: 20
Estimated words: 19458 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 97(@200wpm)___ 78(@250wpm)___ 65(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 19458 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 97(@200wpm)___ 78(@250wpm)___ 65(@300wpm)
I start to pull out the ring, but Travis says, “Uh-uh. We go together on that. Now stand up,” he orders, the way he might in the bedroom, in a way that’s so forceful and loving at the same time. And just like in the bedroom, I eagerly obey.
9
Travis
It’s just like Gary and me to be on the same wavelength. While part of me is shocked as hell he proposed to me today, the other isn’t surprised at all. It’s…fuck, it’s sort of us and is just another sign of how perfect we are together.
“Get your ass down on one knee, Travis!” Derek yells from the water, but I ignore him. I can’t stop looking at Gary…my Gary. He gives me a shy smile as if he knows I’m sort of lost in him right now.
I know, he mouths because he gets me. We may be different in so many ways, but Gary gets me like no one else ever has or ever will.
So…I kneel. My damn hand trembles as I take the mic and then his hand, but I’m not embarrassed by it…because this moment is major, and Gary’s my fucking heart, and my nerves just show how much I care.
“I had no idea what I was going to say up here. I was driving myself crazy trying to figure it out—practiced in the fucking mirror and everything.…Shit. I probably shouldn’t curse in a proposal.”
“You did it twice!” Derek yells, the little bastard.
He doesn’t matter right now though…only Gary does. “I’m good with a lot of things, but words aren’t one of them…not the ones that come from the heart. But…but you see them, even when I don’t speak them, you know. It’s like you have your own key to what’s inside me and you can open me up anytime you want.”
A tear leaks from his eye, and I reach up to wipe it before grabbing his hand again.
“I know who I am, Gary. I’m cocky, loud-mouthed, conceited.…But you…you make me a better man. You make me want to be a better man—if for no other reason except to deserve you. Gary…” I grin up at him. “Superass…will you make me the happiest man in the world and say you’ll be mine?”
“Trav…” he replies, tears flowing more freely now. “You’re the best man I know. Don’t sell yourself short, and yes, fuck yes! I can’t wait to officially be yours.”
I shove to my feet, drop the mic and cup his face. Our mouths fit together, and we kiss among cheers and clapping…but somehow, there’s no one here except the two of us either. This moment is ours, the beginning of a lifetime that belongs to Gary and me.
When we part, he grins and I say, “Gimme your hand so I can put a ring on it.”
He shakes as I slip the ring on his finger. “How did you lose it?” he questions.
I nearly growl in reply. “I don’t want to talk about it. I’m still a bit scarred by the situation.” Note to self—next time, give Cody the damn ring…not that there will be a next time.
Gary laughs then grabs my hand and says, “You never answered me, Trav.”
“Yes,” I tell him. “Now get that ring on my finger so everyone knows I’m yours.” He pushes it on, and we both look at our hands before we’re kissing again, and there’s more cheering and screaming. Through it all, I hear the voices of our friends over everyone else—Cody, Hayden, Derek, Jackson, Evan, and Frankie.
We stand not too far away from one of the tables with the food spread half-eaten. The accident had cleared up, and everything made it on time despite all the drama of the day.
Derek holds a drink in his hand, excitedly telling a story about Jackson and Derek’s fantasy about fucking in his ambulance.
Gary’s hand is in mine, and I can’t help but squeeze it every so often. As I hold him now and think back on the day, I can’t believe how worked up I got—about the ring at least. Gary missing had been a different story but as he’d said, we didn’t need perfect. We just needed us.
“You’re both grinning like fools,” Cody says. “Thinking about matching tattoos next?”
“No!” I say just as Gary says, “Yes!” And then we all laugh again.
“That was really beautiful, you guys. I’m happy for you both,” Jackson tells us.
“Oooh, is Daddy thinking about putting a ring on it too? Do you think you can tame this?” Derek asks him, and Jackson smacks his ass.
“I know I can.” Jackson’s voice is low, confident, and Derek trembles visibly.
“It’s crazy…when you look at us. It wasn’t very long ago we were all single, and now we’re all disgustingly in love,” Gary says.
“Um…did someone forget about us?” Evan asks playfully. “Frankie and I aren’t disgustingly in love. I don’t think I’ll ever be in love again. Not after Peter. Plus, I’m enjoying being a single bottom, thank you very much.”