SUNRISE
Miguel
From the time I was in elementary school, it was clear I was never going to pass for straight. It took a long time and a lot of work for me to be my authentic, fabulous self. Not everyone accepts the eyeliner, eye shadow and lip gloss along with the corsets, especially not the masc guys I’m attracted to. Until I meet Zach Kelley. Tall, dark, handsome, and straight, he tells me my makeup looks nice and that he likes the way I dress. It doesn’t at all help my straight-boy crush that he’s also super nice and hella protective. But I’ve been there, done that and almost got my head bashed in for my trouble. I won’t be going for the straight guy ever again, even if he does give the best hugs.
Zach
From the age of sixteen I have lived my life in a narrow lane of work and service. First it was taking care of my younger sister, now it’s taking care of both her and my three-year-old nephew. I don’t have much time for friends or fun working two jobs and serving my country in the Army National Guard. Until I meet Miguel Ramirez. Miguel is a ray of sunshine breaking through the clouds and he breaks me out of my self-imposed isolation. From the moment I see him, I’m drawn to him. My thoughts constantly turn to him, and I find myself watching him whenever he’s in the room. I think about him so much, I’m beginning to believe I’m not as straight as I thought I was.
“There is a moment in every dawn when light floats, there is the possibility of magic. Creation holds its breath.”
Douglas Adams, The Ultimate Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
CHAPTERONE
ZACH
I stood in my sister’s small, outdated kitchen and held the thick, expensive-looking paper in my hands. On the top, written in a bold, elaborate script, were the wordsLast Will and Testament.
“Why are you showing this to me?”
My sister, Allison, stood in the patch of early-morning sunlight coming through the dingy window, tugging nervously on her dark curly hair. “I wanted you to know ahead of time so you wouldn’t be surprised.”
“Surprised by what? And why do you need a will? You’re only twenty-five.”
“I know,” she said anxiously. “But I have to protect Cody.”
“Protect Cody?” I repeated. “What are you talking about?”
“I made you his guardian,” she said quietly. “In case something happens to me.”
My mind blanked out. I sank onto one of her uncomfortable kitchen chairs. I wanted to object. There had to be someone better qualified. I ran through all of our relatives. My brain helpfully cataloged the reasons why each of them should never go near my three-year-old nephew. My parents were alcoholics who barely left the house except to go to their respective jobs. I had no idea how they even kept them. My older brother, Roy, was a drug dealer, although he would deny it with his last breath. Cody’s father was in prison for armed robbery.
“Allie, why do you think something will happen to you?” My stomach clenched. “Are you sick? Is that what this is about?”
She shook her head and sat across from me. “No, I’m not sick. It’s just…” She sighed. “Do you remember Tracy? She was in my class in high school.”
I shrugged. “I think so? Short blonde hair. Wasn’t she a cheerleader or something?”
Allie rolled her eyes. “No. She played field hockey.” She made a face. “Like I’d hang out with a cheerleader.”
“What? All the ones I met in high school were nice,” I said.
She scoffed. “They wanted to get in your pants, Zachary.”
I smirked. “Some of them did.”
Allie huffed impatiently. “We’re getting off track. Tracy got pregnant when she was in college. Her boyfriend kept saying it wasn’t his, even though she’d never been with anyone else. She ended up having the baby by herself. She had to quit school and get a job. Her parents were so pissed and wouldn’t help.” Her brow creased in a worried frown. “Last year, she died after falling and hitting her head.”
“Oh shit,” I said.
Allie nodded in agreement. “Her little girl, Katie, was four when Tracy died. She had no will, and no one was listed as the guardian. There was a huge custody battle between her parents and the father’s parents, who suddenly decided they wanted to be part of Katie’s life. Katie’s father got involved, got a DNA test to prove he was the father, and the court had to give him the child even though he’d had nothing to do with her before Tracy died.”
“But isn’t that a good thing?” I asked.
Allie shook her head. “No. He’s a terrible person. He drinks all the time and mostly leaves Katie with his parents, who are also terrible people. And they won’t let Tracy’s parents see Katie at all.”
“That sucks.”
