Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 84002 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84002 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
He nodded. Kissed her hand and watched her leave. After she phoned to let him know she’d made it back okay and was going to bed, Shane turned off his mind. Ignored his fears and dialed.
“Hey, sexy.” Van’s voice was soft, affection in his ear.
“Do you have plans next weekend?” Shane asked.
“No…why?”
“Can I come and see you?”
“Fuck yes,” Van replied. “I’d like nothing more.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Shane left his house Wednesday night for the drive to the Portland airport. He would get to LA Thursday morning and go home on Sunday.
He checked his phone before they announced it needed to be put into airplane mode. She would be okay. Logically, he knew that. She was self-sufficient around the house. Unless she went into a depressive episode, she would be good. People were checking on her and she had everyone’s phone numbers. All her doctors knew Shane would be out of town. A caregiver was coming to the house to check on her. All her prescriptions were filled and the house stocked with food.
So yes, she would be fine and he knew it. Now Shane himself? That was a different story.
This was…big. The biggest thing to happen in his life and all he wanted was for it to be perfect.
Hell, he hadn’t even been on a plane before.
He wanted it though, wanted to take in every experience that he could.
The flight was…uneventful. He couldn’t sleep and when he landed around 4 a.m., he started to feel some of the exhaustion.
He hadn’t checked any bags, so he followed the signs to the pickup area.
He’d told Van he could take a cab to his place but hadn’t been surprised when Van told him “fuck no.”
Shane made his way toward the doors when he saw a familiar head of dark curls and heard the commotion as everyone pointed and smiled and took pictures.
Van stood there holding a sign as though he was a driver Shane had ordered. Only the sign didn’t just say his name, because this was Van they were talking about.
Shane Wallace, AKA Sexy Motherfucker.
He was going to fucking kill Van, or you know, not, since he couldn’t wipe the cheesy grin off his face. Shane had missed him. His chest suddenly felt too damn light.
Shane reached for him, grabbed Van and pulled him close. “You’re crazy.”
“I know.”
“I’m crazy about you. You know that, right?” Shane asked before pulling Van in for a searing kiss. Some people laughed and cheered while others shoved around them not giving a shit.
“I didn’t think you’d come,” Van said when they pulled away.
“You thought I would change my mind?” He couldn’t blame Van for worrying about that but it bruised his ego at the same time.
“I don’t know what I thought, Shane. I’m just glad you’re here. Come on. Let’s get you back to my place to rest because there’s not going to be a whole lot of it the rest of the weekend.”
Shane checked his phone again before following Van out of LAX.
It was still dark out but the airport was still loud and crazy. Cars were fighting each other as they made their way to a parking lot.
“I see why you enjoyed the quiet back home,” Shane told him, still unable to believe he was there in Los Angeles with Van.
“Yeah, I know. I mean, sometimes I love it. I’ve always enjoyed the excitement of the city, but, after going back, I realize I miss the quiet too. Both have their place. I need to find a way to have it all.” He winked.
“You don’t ask for much,” Shane replied and then got into the car.
When Van did as well he asked, “Are you okay? I know this wasn’t easy for you.”
“I’m fine. She’s fine. Let’s just enjoy ourselves.”
“I like that idea.” Van pressed a quick kiss to his lips before starting the car.
“Hey.” Shane reached over and touched his thigh.
“Yeah?”
“Thank you. It really is so fucking good to see you.” For the first time in a little over six weeks, Shane didn’t feel alone.
*
They went back to Van’s apartment, which he knew was a lot different from what Shane was used to. There was noise from the street below and his things were modern instead of rustic.
There were neighbors on each side and above and below. “I know it’s not what you’re used to.”
“That’s part of the point, Van. And,” he shrugged, “it fits you.”
“Last Chance fits me too,” he found himself saying, without giving it a thought. Before he’d gone back he never could have imagined himself saying that. But the quiet of Shane’s house, with nothing but nature around them, was a perfect place to be creative.
He’d enjoyed walking around, taking photos and spending a few evenings in the small bar where everyone knew each other.
“Oh, now I know you’re really sucking up to me. You already got me here and in your bed for three nights. You don’t have to kiss my ass.”