“No worries, but I have to get back to work.I have contracts to negotiate.”
“Okay, I’ll let you get back to it.I have aplane to book.”
This time, it was Wes’s turn for asurprise.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Wes
It was the beginning of June, and Wes wasfinally home.
His plane landed at the Toronto IslandAirport at eight in the evening, the sun hanging low and paintingthe sky with streaks of pink and orange.Lake Ontario shimmered onthe horizon as he stepped off the plane and onto the tarmac.
A short ride later, he was back home in theBeaches, a waterfront community in the east end of the city thatwas known for its two-mile boardwalk and sandy dunes.Wes took inthe changes that had occurred over the past month.The trees andgardens had fully bloomed, and there were new billboards for theannual jazz festival that drew tens of thousands of visitors everyJuly.The low-rise shops and restaurant patios dotting Queen Streetwere packed with people.
Wes had never felt so alone.
His car turned on Balric Avenue and up thelong gravel driveway to his house.He’d bought the two-story brickhome a decade ago, captivated by the private frontage, outdoorpool, and rooftop deck that looked out over the lake.Easing out ofthe car, he grabbed his bags and sauntered up to the front door.Heentered his security passcode and dropped his bags in the foyer.The familiar click of doggy toenails on the hardwood floor greetedhim.Luca had kindly dropped off Peanut and Rudy in advance,knowing Wes needed his fur babies after so many weeks away.
“Peanut, how are you?I’ve missed you.”Wescrouched down and hugged his five-year-old Labrador-husky mix.Rudy, the dog Wes had adopted from New York, wandered over slowly,still a bit hesitant until he got closer.“Rudy, how’s my newestbaby?”Wes cooed.
Peanut and Rudy wagged their tails excitedlyas they jumped and licked Wes, and he savored the affection.Heimmediately thought of Spock and imagined how all three dogs wouldget along—not to mention Ryker’s cats—if they all livedtogether.
If there was still atogethertowonder over.
Wes agreed to give Ryker his space, since heknew his man, knew him pretty damn well even though they’d only meta month ago.Ryker was retreating, thinking of all the pros andcons to this relationship, wondering how it would all work out,trying to rationalize feelings that didn’t make sense on paper butonly to the heart.
For the time being, Wes would do what heneeded to do.Rest, play with his dogs, hit the beach, and meet upwith friends.Relax and recharge.Then he would fly to New York andconvince the man he loved that he was worth a second shot.
****
Ryker
Ryker found himself at La Guardia Airport,his mood souring by the minute.How the fuck did Wes travel so muchand still remain a positive person?The hordes of people, the longlines, the waiting, the hordes of people.
Ryker got up and paced.Several passengersin the first-class departure lounge got out of his way when theysaw the expression on his face.Maybe turn the scowl down anotch or two.It probably didn’t help that he wore his usualblack outfit of jeans and a t-shirt, with dark sunglasses and aleather motorcycle jacket, his long hair loose and his face badlyin need of a shave.Someone in the seat nearby mumbled somethingabout traveling with cranky rockstars, and Ryker couldn’t help butlet out a low laugh.
He stopped pacing and slid into a leatherchair, checking his phone again for any updates from Luca.
Two days ago, Luca had kindly agreed to helpRyker with his surprise visit to Toronto, taking care of all thedetails that Ryker hadn’t thought of and that made him want to riphis hair out.Luca was clearly in love with love and had been alltoo happy to arrange a surprise dinner date for Wes,ooh-ingandahh-ingover Ryker’s suggestion.
“You know, I have to give Mac credit for allthis,” Ryker had said as he FaceTimed with Luca.
“What do you mean?”
“He told me to take a chance.That I mightend up hurt but to follow my heart anyway.The tough negotiator hasa soft side.Don’t tell him I said so,” Ryker warned.
Luca paused.“No worries there.Who wouldhave guessed the Ice Man had feelings?But you know him better thanI do.Controlling, uptight workaholic.The way he barked orders atme when we were getting your book deal finalized, let me tell you,I just wanted to reach through the laptop and yank on his tie.Shit, I’m sorry.I know he’s your friend, but the man infuriates melike no one else.”Luca finished his rant, and Ryker let it be.Hewas all too aware of the growing tension between Luca and Mac, andin no way did he want to get involved in their hot-tempereddrama.
Ryker’s flight was called, and a short hourand a half later, he landed at a small airport just south of thecity.He checked in to the Kings Hotel’s executive suite anddropped his bags on the garment rack.Normally, he’d take time toshower and shave, but he was too excited to wait.
Ryker:I’m all checked in.Is the plan inmotion?
Luca:Yup, your car service will driveyou to Harbourfront.Ask for Drummond and you’ll be escorted to theboat.I’ll make sure your man will be there on time!
Ryker:Thanks Luca, I owe you.
Luca:Invite me to the bachelorparty.
