One thing Derek has always searched for is perfection. And in Nick's love, he thought he'd found it. But marriage is rarely perfect and Nick Lund isn't a myth, but a human being, faulted as anyone. With their relationship on the rocks, Derek faces loneliness and doubt, estranged from the man he's adored for most of his life. When he learns that he has a cousin living in the city, a young man named Myles he never knew existed, Derek seeks him out. The two men begin a beautiful friendship that provides Derek with some solace and perspective. But in spite of the affection he feels for Myles, Derek's heart belongs to Nick, who's willing to do anything to get them back on track. Nick is ready to forsake his restaurant Split, the city life he adores and all of his ambitions to win Derek's trust again. Derek is convinced that a quiet existence in the burbs is the solution to all of their problems. Or will it be the biggest mistake of their lives?

Red Dreams

“No, yeah, yeah, it’s good.” Nick nodded, still holding the console. “Very, uh, what’s the word I’m looking for?”


“Never mind my furniture, okay? Just hook up the console.” I was enraged, but not at him. At me. At my pride. My stubbornness. My bloody ego. “Better yet, leave it there. I’ll set it up. It’s not like I haven’t done it before.”


There was slight show of annoyance on his perfect face, but he set the console down on the floor by the TV and walked over to his son. “Can I get a hug?” he asked, bending down to Spencer. While they hugged and said their goodbyes, I waited, frozen, trapped within myself. He was going to leave.


“Okay, so, Mona’s gonna pick him up on Sunday afternoon…” Nick was by the front door, looking at me with intense, fiery blue eyes. “Can I talk to you? Just for a second? Please?”


Oh, I hesitate to tell you the rest, Bump.


“Okay,” I whispered. “Let’s hook the PlayStation up.”


Chapter 6