It's been eleven years since Nick ran off with David for the West Coast. And though his life resembles a blue dream, after more than a decade of bar tending in resorts and cruise ships, Nick is finally thinking of heading home. First, he needs to go see about David in Vancouver ...<br><br>When he arrives, Nick finds a community of young men devastated by AIDS. Part of him wants to flee back to Montreal, but David is dying and Nick knows his place is by his best friend's side. In those four days and nights in David's apartment by the English Bay, Nick learns more about himself than he ever did before. When it's all over, he packs his bag and locks up his grief, determine to honor the promise he made to David of opening up his own restaurant.<br><br>Five years later, Nick is gaining a reputation in the industry as a chef, but has yet to have any meaningful relationships. Until Derek O'Reilly, that redheaded kid with the avocado-green eyes he used to know, walks into his dining room and ignites Nick's passion once more.

Blue Awakenings

I peered into his eyes, feeling the communion between us. “Every. Single. Fucking. Thing.” I tipped my head. “I just need a little more time to get my shit together.”


He was smiling through his tears. “Okay, Nick…Okay.”


“I’m so gonna make it worth your while, O’Reilly. I swear to you.”


We walked down the street, shoulder to shoulder, silently, both looking around at our old neighborhood, lost in our own reminiscing. Then suddenly, he turned to look at me. “I’ll make it worth your while, too,” he said, raising his chin and giving me a bold, confident look. “You’ll see.”


I ruffled his thick red hair. “Yeah, O’Reilly, I believe you will.”  18


I carefully moved away from Spencer on the mattress and stood. He was finally asleep, down for a nap. He’d throw a few major tantrums in the last hour, and I’d been a little overwhelmed, but had managed to appease him. Man, toddlers were rough business. I hadn’t been this stressed out since Split’s opening night.


Chapter 37