Pieces Read online

  “Did you really mean it when you said you would come to counseling with me?”

  “Yep. We can even go to couples counseling if you want,” Josh told him. “Whatever it takes and whatever you want. From now on. It’s about you.”

  Patrick smiled and rose up to kiss him. “You’re wrong.”

  “Wrong?”

  “It’s about us.”

  * * * *

  Two months later

  “Calm down, Josh. It’ll be all right.” Patrick reached across the bar to hold Josh’s hand.

  They were waiting for Josh and Eddie’s attorney to call and tell them news on the lawsuit. But the call was already an hour late.

  “That’s easy for you to say,” Josh groused. He tugged his hand away and picked up a glass.

  It was still early. Only about four-thirty so the bar didn’t have a lot of patrons. Two couples in the corner and Peanut Man, as Josh called him, down the bar several stools away from where Patrick sat.

  “Honey, it really will. I promise. Your lawyer said you had a great case and he was pretty sure about this matter today.”

  “Well, why hasn’t he called then?” Josh paced back and forth. “Damn Eddie. He had to take Kitty to fucking Europe right now.”

  Patrick laughed. “Your dad gave them that trip for their anniversary. It was booked months ago. He’ll be back day after tomorrow.”

  Josh’s cell, which he’d laid out on the bar, vibrated and began to play a popular song. He merely stared at it like it was a bug.

  “Aren’t you going to get that?”

  Josh nodded but didn’t move to pick it up.

  Patrick grabbed it up and spoke. “Hello? Yeah, he’s right here.”

  Josh grabbed the phone. “Don? Yeah. Yeah. Okay. So that means what?”

  He couldn’t tell by Josh’s face whether it was good news or bad news so he waited, uneasiness growing in the pit of his stomach.

  “Thanks, Don. I will. Bye.” Josh put down the phone.

  “Well?”

  Josh walked over to him grabbed the back of his head and kissed him hard.

  “Is that good?” he asked when he came up for air.

  His lover grinned. “Dismissed with prejudice. Which means—”

  “They can’t file it again,” Patrick finished for him. “That’s awesome. I knew it would be great news.”

  “I can’t wait to tell Eddie. God, it’s such a relief.” Josh kissed him again, even more thoroughly.

  “Stevens, you’re gay?” Peanut Man demanded from the end of the bar, staring at them.

  “Yes, Mr. Jenkins,” Josh said calmly. “And Patrick is my partner.”

  “Hi, Mr. Jenkins.” Patrick exchanged a glance with Josh.

  Mr. Jenkins shrugged and rattled the glass bowl in front of him. “More peanuts.”

  “Coming right up.” Josh smiled and leaned across the bar for one more kiss. “I love you.”

  “And I love you.”

  Mr. Jenkins rattled his dish again.

  Patrick laughed. “You’d better fill that.”

  “Yeah, in a second.” Josh sealed their lips, ignoring the peanut dish at the end of the bar.

  A piece of his heart would always be missing, the piece that had belonged to Andrew, but now, thanks to Josh, the future would be bright and full of love.

  THE END

  ABOUT SHAWN LANE

  Shawn Lane is a multi-published author of gay romances and believes love and passion know no boundaries. Happily Ever After is for everyone.

  She has been published by Loose Id, Ellora's Cave, Amber Quill Press, Dreamspinner Press, and Evernight Publishing.

  Shawn lives in California and holds down a boring day job in a legal department of a giant corporation dreaming of the nights and weekends when she can create new stories.

  For more information, visit smlgr8.blogspot.com.

  ABOUT JMS BOOKS LLC

  JMS Books LLC is a small queer press with competitive royalty rates publishing LGBT romance, erotic romance, and young adult fiction. Visit jms-books.com for our latest releases and submission guidelines!