Finding love isn’t easy, and holding onto it can be even harder. In this anthology, harsh words and miscommunication between men aren’t helpful, and jealous lovers with well-meaning best friends always make things worse, except when they don’t. It could be a desperate cowboy seeking a home or a dorky associate with questionable fashion sense and self-esteem; a manager who sticks to his principles despite ridicule, or a cheating fiancé and a broken wedding. Can a jaded grocery store worker find satisfaction, or a bouncer forgive the bassist who tricked him into sex? Perhaps it’s the things we do that make our wishes and demands come true. Contains the stories: A Cowboy For Keeps: Slim Montagne stumbles over a bruised cowboy on his way out of town. Daniel "Danny" Crane is a world-weary drifter who has stopped believing in humanity. When Slim offers Danny a place to stay, he figures there’s nothing left to lose. Back at the ranch, Slim introduces Dan...hey end up arguing constantly at work, despite the sexual tension between them. Georgie decides it’s time for a change. Will Ry tag along for the ride? Romancing the Bouncer: Ben Pachowski is a bouncer at Throwbacks. Monty Mabuse, bass player for a popular band that performs there, wants Ben, but he won’t do anything but flirt. Monty plays dirty to get in Ben’s pants, and it backfires. Having alienated Ben, Monty has to figure out how to make amends. He has his work cut out for him, but a little romance could go a long way. The Best Man for Me: Royce Lummis' fiancé is a no-show at the rehearsal; worst of all, he sees him kissing another man. Heartbroken, Royce accepts the offer of a couch from Rodney Fanning—his best man and ex-boyfriend. Though they have history between them, Rodney is a good friend and Royce's heart slowly heals. It's almost too late when Royce finally realizes that Rodney is the best man for him. Will he get his man?

The Best of J.D. Walker Box Set

In the middle of all this, Buzz checked up on me, made sure I spent quality time with his crazy family, and fed me. Ry? He became a tower of strength, actually. We were now fanatical text buddies, and he would send me funny things during the day to keep my spirits up. When he wasn’t working, he’d gotten into the habit of getting my groceries and cleaning my apartment. I finally had to give him a key since he came over so often.


On Labor Day weekend, I worked all day and night Saturday on a paper that was due when I returned to school on Tuesday. Ry spent that whole time with me, making sure I ate something in between doing my laundry and watching movies. When I finally finished, I fell asleep, my head in his lap, and drooled all over his sweat pants. Or so he claimed when I woke up on Sunday morning with a crick in my neck. My mouth was dry, I’ll have you know. No drool in sight.


Chapter 75