Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 123825 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 619(@200wpm)___ 495(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123825 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 619(@200wpm)___ 495(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
“Alec Pierce.”
“Alec Pierce.” Blaine, his longtime grade school buddy, mimicked him in a mocking professional tone.
“I don’t sound like that,” he said, dropping down into his seat.
“And you don’t call anymore. I have a new best friend,” Blaine quipped, never missing a beat in getting to his point.
“You do?” Alec shook his head and resisted saying he had a new best friend too. Instead, he tried to give his voice a concerned edge as he pressed the button to start the engine.
“Yep. You’re replaced,” Blaine said with all certainty.
“What do you want me to ask next? By whom? Is that the right direction?” Alec retorted, playing along, looking in the rearview mirror as he backed out of his spot and started toward the exit.
“The only hint you’ll get is his family owns a large hotel chain and his last name begins with an H.”
Alec’s grin, which was already so big, grew. He racked his brain, trying to come up with anything except the obvious answer. “Who owns the Holiday Inn?”
“Har, har, har. Humor’s never been your strong suit. You should leave the jokes to me,” Blaine said drolly. “How’s working life?”
“Fulfilling,” Alec answered honestly as he pulled into the far-right lane, taking his place in the long line of traffic approaching the red light.
An idea came to mind causing Alec to look around, trying to get his bearings for the area. This had to be close to Key’s tire shop. He just didn’t know enough about the area to know for sure.
“How’s the judgeship coming?” Blaine asked as Alec used his GPS to find Key’s shop.
“I’ve decided to let that opportunity pass me by,” Alec said distractedly as a honk came from behind. He punched the gas, moving up several car lengths while the GPS searched then found Key’s shop. It was only a few miles away. Did he dare do a drive-by?
“Hmm. Have you told your parents?” Blaine knew him too well. Both his and Blaine’s families were longtime elitists of the New England area. Alec’s family had purchased but never lived on a tract of land in far south Ellis County to help build a political stronghold in the state of Texas. From that standpoint, Alec was the only Pierce to ever make Texas his permanent home. Thank God he had or he would have never met Key, and there he was again, back in the forefront of Alec’s thoughts. Wow, Key even lessened the normal sickening in Alec’s gut at the thought of talking to his overly politically motivated family about his decision to end this judgeship farce.
“That’s coming,” Alec finally answered. This conversation helped him understand another layer to his relationship with Key. The painful past his terrible family had forced him to endure in their attempt to distance themselves from Alec’s sexual orientation was beginning to heal with Key’s help. It didn’t matter that he hadn’t told his family. Those decisions were made, so end of that story. Alec quickly changed lanes, taking the route to Key’s shop. Maybe he could get a quick peek at his guy—a reward for his good job in court today.
“When the time comes, I’m here if you need me.” His normally animated friend became serious. “How’s the biker?”
Alec went silent as he turned, following the GPS’s automated directive. He hadn’t shared the details of his relationship with Key with anyone. Blaine only knew of Key because he’d been there the night his tires had blown. Key had rescued them, saving the day by changing the two flats and sealing his and Key’s inevitable fate. Key was far too special for the jaded and cynical Blaine to understand.
“You can’t be serious?” Blaine asked, his tone dripping with condescension when Alec made no reply.
Alec contemplated hanging up on Blaine. It was one thing not to understand the complete one-eighty Alec had done since meeting and building a forbidden relationship with Key, another altogether different thing to mock the special bond they shared. Blaine had been his best friend and daily companion since grade school. The two of them had had a hell of a good time together, thumbing their noses at their pretentious families. But Blaine refused to accept that lifestyle had grown old years ago. Alec had begun distancing himself from the constant party back in law school.
“What?” he finally said.
“Are you still seeing him?”
Alec’s back got up, his spine stiffening to ramrod straight in defense of his relationship while he wove through the congested traffic. “Hell yeah, I am. Why?”
“What in the world do you two have to talk about?” Blaine asked incredulously.
“We talk about everything.”
“Politics?”
What a dumb question, of course they didn’t speak of politics. As an inducted, patched member of the notorious biker club, Disciples of Havoc, Key was a tried and true anarchist. He and Key didn’t speak of politics or religion. Those things held no interest for Key and, honestly, little interest to Alec anymore.