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

Fuck. What was wrong with him? He just needed to tell Mitchell how he felt. It was time. Why was he so afraid? No, he knew why he was afraid. Mitchell could still break his heart—he might not want to go to California with him.


He rushed through the shower and found the main floor empty.


Then he glanced outside and saw him talking on his phone. His eyes were narrowed and his fingers rubbed one of his temples. He didn’t look happy at all.


Craig poured another cup of coffee and settled in on the sofa, waiting for Mitchell to come back inside. He turned on the TV and flipped through the channels. He’d circled back to the first channel by the time Mitchell stepped back inside.


Mitchell glanced at him but didn’t meet his eyes. “Yeah. Just…Adam asking if he left a hoodie.”


Craig looked around, even as he was sure Mitchell was lying to him. “I don’t see it.”


Chapter 37