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

I wanted to call you. I wanted to text you. But I guess I was scared of your reaction. I never planned for any of this to happen. Meeting you, knowing you in the last months, has changed my life in so many ways. I’ve never been close to anyone the way I am with you and I really thought you’d stay in the city and we’d be tight and see each other a lot. I guess it wasn’t in the cards. Things never go my way. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy you made up with Nick and that you finally have your dream house and all you’d wished for. I just don’t understand how you could go from living in the Old Port neighborhood and running a restaurant, to spending your days locked up in a house in the burbs, working from home.


Chapter 43