Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79308 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79308 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
The ballroom was gorgeous, decorated in gold and white. Music drifted from the grand piano, where a woman sat playing.
People approached me almost immediately, thanking me for the night, asking me questions or just saying hello. To each and every one of them, I introduced Corbin as my boyfriend, and I swear, he smiled every time the word left my lips.
“Hey, kid,” we eventually heard from behind us, and turned to see Marcus, Kai, Parker, Elliott, Declan, and Sebastian.
“Hey, Daddy.” Corbin winked before Marcus hugged him, kissing Corbin’s temple. “Hey, Stepdaddy.” He gave the same treatment to Kai, making everyone chuckle.
“This is incredible,” Sebastian told me. “I read up a lot about this event. You do really amazing work for the queer community, Spencer.”
“Thanks. It’s what I’ve always wanted, but it’s still never enough. We’ve come so far, but there’s still so far to go.”
Especially when you considered people like Gael, who were still teased, and Corbin’s family, who still held on to their hurtful beliefs. To pretend things were perfect did a disservice to queer people.
“The money raised goes to the center?” Declan asked.
“Most of it, yes. But we’re also involved in a lot of programs, like trying to make sure PrEP is more accessible to everyone, scholarship programs for queer youth, job training, mental health access.”
“My man is fucking awesome,” Corbin said.
“No, you are.”
We laughed and kissed.
“Gross,” Marcus joked.
We were gross and I loved it.
Elliott said, “My parents are out of town, otherwise they would have been here. Mom asked me to remind you to contact her if you need anything, but I want to offer myself too.”
“Me too,” Sebastian added. “This is the kind of stuff that matters, what I’d like my legacy to be.”
Everyone else agreed as well, and I knew it wasn’t just lip service with these guys.
“Thank you. Really, that means a lot to me.”
One of the waiters came by and offered us champagne, which we took. We talked for a while, and occasionally I’d have to excuse myself to go help with something. When I got back to the group, Corbin had a plate and was eating, which made me smile.
When he saw me, his mouth automatically pulled into a grin like just being in the same space as me made him happy. How the fuck I’d ever been lucky enough to earn this man’s love, I didn’t know, but I wasn’t ever going to fuck it up.
“Can we do that sneak-away thing now?” Corbin said when I approached. “Because you’re really hot and I want my hands on you.”
“Be good,” Marcus told him.
“You have sex with Kai in Declan’s office at Driftwood all the time.” Corbin pouted.
“Shh!” Sebastian looked around, clearly nervous people heard him.
“Can you not remind me?” Declan asked.
“If we find a closet, who will watch the door for us?” Corb asked.
“I’m game.” Elliott raised his hand.
Parker swatted his arm. “Don’t encourage him.”
“You mean to tell me that if I said I wanted to see my pretty boy on his knees for me, you wouldn’t find a closet with me?” Elliott cocked a brow.
“Point taken.” Parker turned to Corb. “You watch the door for us, and we’ll watch it for you.”
“What am I going to do with you guys?” Marcus asked.
“Wait. I want to have kinky gala sex too, baby.” Kai grinned.
“I mean, it’s not a bad idea.” Marcus placed a possessive hand on Kai’s neck.
“Um, so…we can’t be left out, Dec.” Sebastian pumped his brows.
“Lord help me,” Dec answered, and everyone laughed. “We’re idiots.”
“The best thing to be.” Corb smiled, took the last bite of his food, handed Marcus his plate, and said, “Let’s go.”
“Are you really going to hook up?” Parker asked.
I took Corbin’s hand and let him lead me. Each step we took was faster than the one before it as we slipped from the room and down the hallway. There were people everywhere, and no place we could discreetly disappear.
“Your gala is a cock block,” Corbin teased, and we laughed and sped up, rushing like we would die if we didn’t get our hands on each other. I was so fucking hungry for him and loved that he felt the same about me.
When we turned into another room, we saw French doors leading onto a balcony. Corbin’s gaze caught mine, and we both rushed toward it.
The door was ajar, and just before my hand touched the knob, a voice drifted from outside.
“Did you see Corbin Erickson’s dating Spencer from the center? I follow Corbin online and listen to The Vers. I have a friend who hooked up with him. He said he’s cocky and superficial, so I don’t know what the fuck is going on now.”
“Yeah, all I know is he needs to whip his boyfriend into shape.”
“More like he’ll end up putting on weight himself. That always happens when people get together.”