I didn’t know how long I slept or how I got home. But when I opened my eyes, it was already morning. I realized I wasn’t lying down on the ground by the beach where I last remembered I was. Instead, a down feather duvet kept me warm as I lay comfortably on a firm mattress. The pillows, duvet, and bed covers were all white, matching the eggshell paint on the walls.At first, I thought I was in a hospital, but then I realized the bed I was in was far too comfortable and a lot wider than a hospital bed. Something about the room I was in was very familiar, as if I’ve been here plenty of times before.The next thing I realized was that I was completely naked under the sheets. I felt tired, as though I went through a rigid exercise regimen the night before. Apart from that, I was feeling a little sore there, too, in my most private part. Shit!Suddenly, I felt movement behind me. An arm draped over my waist and I felt warm kisses on my neck.I panicked!I was with a guy! I was naked! We ha
Six months later, I graduated from the culinary school and became Austin’s sous-chef. I was getting excellent training from him, and the great thing about that was I didn’t feel like I was working at all. Every day was an adventure for me. Every moment was like play time. I was inventing my own fusions and Austin had considered including them in his official menu. Nick comes to New York at least three times a month. Whenever he had the chance to get away from work, he would come to me. And every time I spent with him was pure bliss, pure treasure. I have never been happier in my life. My happiness didn’t come without a price. I thought now that everything was going quite well in my life, I should let go of all the pain and anger I may still be harboring. There would no happiness without forgiveness, without healing. And to start with that, I forgave my father. The day after my graduation, I flew back to Salt Lake City to visit his grave. Nick went with me. I stared at the words on
I was never late… until now…Tonight, I am going to kill Nicholas Atkins!I drove to the diner. I really didn’t want Margaret and the rest of the people there to witness what I was going to do. They loved Nicholas and it would break their hearts. But I would rather he was at the diner than in the other side of town. I’d never get out of there alive if I hurt a hair on Nicholas’ body. Those kids would kill for him.When I reached the diner, I finally found him having coffee and a good laugh with Margaret and Grandpa Chef.When Margaret saw me coming, she smiled widely. “Ken, dear. How lovely to see you!”I forced a smile to my face. When Nicholas saw me, his face lit up.“Hi!” His smile was warm and genuine.I found three pairs of smiling eyes looking at me. I lost the heart to greet Nicholas with a power punch.“C-can we step outside? I need to talk to you,” I said. My voice was grave, laced with warning. I was sure Nicholas didn’t miss it.“Okay,” he said. I turned around toward the
I tried to make sense of Bailey’s words, but then I reminded myself that I don’t really give a fuck about what people think. Except for Jen, I don’t think I really care about anyone. I don’t even know what’s so special about her. People come and go but I don’t know why I stayed with her when I fucking pushed everyone away. Maybe it is her fragility. Her state of unspoken weakness that makes me feel needed. Or maybe because she is the only thing that reminds me of the warmth and love of the family I once had. I looked up at Bailey and gave him a frown. “Just because I’m more creative than others in the manner that I dress… or that I don’t let guys spin my head with their bull flatteries… doesn’t mean I’m gay, right?” Jen and I have been best friends since high school. When I came to town to live with my father, after my mother and her life partner died in a car crash, Jen was the first friend I had. She accepted me for who I am—with all my quirks and weirdn
At that moment, I was already planning a strategy on how best to kick the guy in the gutter so he’d leave for good. My thoughts were interrupted by a gentle pat on my shoulder.“I told you, you could pull it off,” Bailey said, his expression obviously delighted because of the crowd’s reaction.“I never really sang for a crowd before. But thanks for making me do it.”Although I was not particularly excited about meeting Jen’s new friend, something told me that I have to keep an eye on this one. I didn’t want some douchebag playing with her emotions. And my douchebag alarm was ringing all over the place with this new guy hanging out with her.Jen was looking at this guy with stars in her eyes. I swore that must have been how Juliet was whenever she looked at Romeo. Silly and stupid! No wonder Shakespeare decided to kill them off.I replaced Brett behind the drums for the next song. I played with all the God-given talents I have. Bailey didn’t ask for it, but toward the end of the song
I was about to retort with something nasty, but Brett called me from the stage.“Ey, Ken! We’re up!”I turned back to Nicholas and gave him a scowl. “We are not yet through!” I said in the gravest tone I could manage.Instead of being offended, threatened, or intimidated, Nicholas gave me a contended smile. In a voice barely hiding his amusement, he said, “Oh, I’m actually counting on that!”I was scowling as I took my seat in front of the drums.“Bad mood, eh? Don’t let him get through to you. Don’t let him linger in your thoughts too much,” Brett said.I raised a brow. “What do you mean?”“That is Nick Atkins. Every guy in this town wanted to be him. Every girl wanted to date him,” he replied before going backstage.I glanced over at their table again. Jen had returned to her seat and was giggling at something that Nicholas said.As I twirled the sticks around my fingers and hit the snare, I thought, No. Not every girl in this town would want to date you. I promise you that!***“Sp
“Uhm, I don’t know where to go from here,” Nicholas said as we reached Jen’s neighborhood.“I thought you were a boy scout. You found my house,” I said.He looked at me from the corner of his eye for a second, and then he looked back on the road. “Your father is a prominent man. Your house is the biggest on the block. Everybody in this town knows where you live.” He stopped on the side of the road. “Now, which way?”I gave him directions. By the time we arrived at Jen’s house, we were officially thirty minutes late. I felt bad for making her wait but smiled to myself for a mission accomplished. Jen was going to freak out and be mad at him! And I’d be around to watch. For a moment, it would provide entertainment, enough to make me forget about the foul terminologies my father chose to use on me.Jen was already pacing in front of her gate. I had to bite my lip to keep from smiling.Good luck, Nicky! This is very impressive!“I’m sorry, we’re late. I found it difficult to find your hous
“Excuse me, why are we here?” I demanded.He simply shrugged. “Well, we already passed your house. You didn’t even notice.”“And you just decided to take me somewhere else?” I asked angrily. “What is wrong with you?”“I saw your father standing in front of your house, sending off some his friends. I just thought you wouldn’t want to have another encounter with him. Figured you can use some time off from him?”He was right. I would not want to face my father again. But that does not mean I want to be alone with him!“We’re not friends, Atkins! Why do you think I needed help from you?”Nicholas stared at me for a moment and then he nodded. He straightened up on his seat and started his engine.“Alright, whatever you say, princess,” he murmured.“Stop!” The tone of my voice made him stop on his tracks. He turned around raising a brow at me.“Don’t call me that ever again!” I snapped. Then I turned away from him. “And… yeah, maybe I can stand sitting here next to you for another ten minut