Craig and Mitchell have been friends for years, but each of them reached a point where that camaraderie became ... more. Mitchell’s kept his feelings close to his chest. So has Craig, but now that they’ve graduated from UMKC, he knows it’s his last chance to show Mitchell they’re meant to be before their careers take them to opposite sides of the country.<br><br>He insists they can’t leave Missouri behind without one last adventure. Mitchell agrees to a road trip to visit all the touristy spots and say goodbye to their home state.<br><br>As they spend their days and nights together, buried feelings rise to the surface and hope blossoms. When their journey ends with a dance beneath the Branson stars, will they find love and a future together at the end of the road?

Gateway to Love

The elevator dinged, but he stayed rooted to the ground. Craig nudged him with his arm, and Mitch stepped out onto their floor, but his friend kept his arm around him and they walked together, leisurely. When they reached the door, Craig finally dropped his arm and Mitch immediately missed his touch.


This was a dangerous game he was playing and he knew it. Allowing himself to enjoy his friend’s touches, the way he held him, how he warmed him in the elevator. He was playing with fire. Mitch needed to put some space between them, so while Craig ordered a pizza, Mitch hid out in the bathroom for a moment to regroup. They hadn’t spoken since leaving the elevator, and the air was thick with tension. Mitch wasn’t sure if he was reading into things, but it seemed Craig was staring at him pretty intensely. What the hell was going on? Or was it all just wishful thinking on Mitch’s part? Once again, he admitted the trip was a bad idea.


Chapter 12