While working security for a popular prime time television show, reservist Jared Connors meets guest star Brandon Culpepper. They are immediately drawn to each other, quickly discovering they are what the other needs.<br><br>Even though Brandon is in town only for the duration of his guest-starring role, the men have a short-term affair. When the filming is finished, however, it’s harder to let go than either expected, but Brandon has to leave for another role.<br><br>Their resolve for their relationship to be over is soon tested when each realizes their emotions are more involved than they thought. But figuring out a way for their very different lives to fit together seems an impossible task. Can they trust each other enough to find a long-term solution?

Something Like Trust

But now looking back, I could see it was more than just the social interaction starting to wear on him. As I started to put all the pieces of his behavior together over the last twenty-four hours or so, I saw the pattern emerging. That party had been the last thing keeping him in Seattle. Now he was unsure of his place, and he thought he had to leave. Instead of voicing that worry, though, he’d internalized it. I was proud that he was ready to talk about it now, but he should have done that when the worry started creeping in.


The thought made me pause. I was treating this relationship as if it had a future, instead of a temporary mutually satisfactory fling. The truth was, I wanted it to be more. I didn’t want it to end. But I had to be practical. I couldn’t leave Seattle, and Brandon couldn’t stay. His job meant that he was always on the move, and he needed to take the roles he was offered in order to stay relevant. I couldn’t be selfish and hold him back from that.


Chapter 26