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

So there you have it. How disappointing.


After Nick had left, Myles was quick to get to the point, as though he wanted to flee as fast as he could. “Look, Derek, I told you everything I touch turns to shit.” He was speaking rapidly, not looking at me and pacing. “I had sex with Lene. That’s it. I have no self-control. I don’t respect anything. She’s your family and I fucked everything up.” He nodded, turning his mysterious green eyes to the window showing us a gray September sky. “I really thought things would be different this time around,” he said, to himself.


I sat on the couch, listless. Didn’t know what to say.


“We’re gonna be friends,” Myles said, sitting on the couch by me. “Lene says she wants us to be tight. She doesn’t want more out of me. It was a one-time thing, Derek. There’s no need to even bring it up ever again, really.”


I watched his face. He could be such an amazing man, if only he believed it.


Chapter 31