Chance barked out a laugh at his expense.
“It’s not that funny,” he said.
“Actually, it is. I’ve told you that you need to get rid of that cheap ass watch, and buy a new one. Hell, get a cellphone or one of those home media things that will keep you on time.”
“Not you too! I told you, I don’t need a cellphone,” he defended. “Plus, Alec gave me this watch.”
“Keep telling yourself that,” Chance said between chuckles. “Keep the watch but get with the fucking times.”
“So, what are you doing out and about, Mister Mayor?”
“Hey, I’m still Chance to you. None of the mayor crap. I’m here to meet Donald. He says he has something he wants to talk to me about.”
“My...aren’t we friendly with the mate’s ex-lover,” Scott teased.
Chance shrugged. “He’s not a bad guy. Besides, Grayson loves me and no one else.”
Scott smiled and nodded. He was happy for his friend. Chance had claimed his mate Grayson over the holidays. He was also a father of triplets. Scott wasn't sure how his best friend did it, but he had to give it to the man. He'd taken over as mayor, played with the band they started together, worked in the shop at least one day of the week, and found time for his family.
“I’m glad to see how much you’ve grown, my friend,” Scott told him. “You’ve turned it to an upstanding family man.”
“Oh gods. What exactly were you thinking about before I interrupted you?”
“The meaning of life,” Scott answered, skirting around the issue. He’d told Chance everything about Alec. About how lost he’d been before moving to Vale Valley and how the town and music had breathed life back into him.
“Please tell me you’re not still blaming yourself?” Scott looked down at the hard pavement, avoiding answering his question.
“I’m not telling you to let him go, but I’m sure Alec wouldn’t be happy to know you’re still not moving on with your life.”
"I know," Scott sighed, raising his head. "It's not a healthy way to live. If I were one of my patients, I would have told them what you just told me. But he still has a hold on my heart, Chance. I'm fine. I promise."
“What happened to the guy you were interested in a few months ago?”
“Nothing. I decided not to bother asking him out. I wasn’t in the right frame of mind, then.”
“How many times are you going to use that excuse? I know we’d said we would go to the club together before I mated with Grayson...but you could have gone without me.”
“I could have, but I haven’t in the mood. They are all the same, Chance. Well, behaved and well trained.”
Scott chuckled. “So, what you’re telling me is you’re looking for a challenge?”
"Maybe. And I get it, in the past few months…or years," he said from the expression on Chance's face. "I've lived a miserable existence. I've honestly lost count of how many times I've been with the same sub."
“Then find a new one,” Chance told him.
“Maybe I shouldn’t tell you what I’ve been thinking about.” Chance looked at him suspiciously, and he could almost tell what his friend was thinking. “I’m not leaving Vale Valley. My bearer would drag me back here.”
“Good...so tell me what you’ve been thinking.”
“How about we open up our own club? I’m certain we’re not the only dominants in Vale Valley.”
Chance was silent, and Scott could tell his friend was thinking things over. They were both dominants who’d trained under the same Master after he’d moved to Vale Valley. His friendship with Chance was important to him. The man had seen Scott at his weak points, whenever it was the anniversary of Alec’s death, and never once judged him for holding on to his love.
“So, what do you think?”
“Before I say yes, answer a couple of questions for me.”
“All right.” Chance was probably thinking Scott was using the club idea as a way to avoid thinking about Alec.
