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

But he doesn’t want a family and Lene told me she’s longing to have a child.


Earlier this evening, I was sitting up in bed, watching a documentary on surfers—and no, it’s not because all the men in it were half naked, blond, blue-eyed, and wet—when my phone buzzed on the bed and I immediately thought of Nick. He’s been gone for a week already. He did exactly what he said he would. He closed up Split, asked me to write up temporary layoff letters to all of the employees, dropped off Esco at Boone’s, packed a suitcase, and flew out of this maze


It was Lene calling. I debated on answering her. It’s not that I don’t love her to death, it’s just that she has this uncanny intuition and always sees right into my mind and I haven’t dusted or vacuumed anything up there in a while. It’s embarrassing, really.


Chapter 9