If You Just Smile
Matt has everything that he has ever wanted, or at least he thinks he does. His career is blossoming and he has recently been promoted to vice president of the bank in the small town where he has worked since graduating from college. If there is one thing he would love to change in his life, it is the anger which he seems to cause in his lover, yet he has no idea what he is doing to anger him. Matt does his best to be a good partner to Kent, but he is embarrassed about the black eyes and bruises which he finds very difficult to hide or find excuses for. He feels certain that his and Kent’s relationship is no different from any other couple’s, but when his boss asks him to take his place at a yearly conference, he meets a man who shows him a completely different life from the one that has now become perhaps a little too familiar to him.
EXCERPT:
Matt showered quickly this morning. He knew that it would take a lot of time to cover up the shiner he had gotten last night, and the drive to work seemed to grow longer and longer every day. Matt’s days were long and the attention to detail required of a vice president of a bank made him exhausted by the time he arrived home at night. He didn’t dare go to bed until Kent came home from work, though, which was often after two in the morning. Kent expected Matt to be available to him every night, and if Matt were asleep when Kent came home, he would accuse him of being inappreciative of him or thinking that he was better than him because he was the one with the college degree.
******
Looking directly into Matt’s eyes, Dustin finally said what he had waited all week to say to him. “If you ever need someplace to stay or someone to talk to, you are always welcome in my home, Matt.” Dustin gently touched Matt’s cheek where the bruise had been. “I would hate to lose you, Matt.” Matt’s eyes were fixed on Dustin’s obviously all seeing and all knowing eyes. He almost hated to return to his former life of loneliness and very little sleep. Matt looked at Dustin’s hand holding his tightly. “I’d better get going,” he said. “I know, Matt. I know.” Dustin gently pressed his lips to Matt’s cheek, the cheek where the bruise had been, and then he gently kissed Matt’s hand. Matt swallowed hard. They said goodbye in the parking lot, and Dustin watched as the huge airport swallowed the man he had known for only a little while. He waited for nearly thirty minutes before driving away, hoping that Matt would come running back to him, but knowing that he would not.
1103692720
EXCERPT:
Matt showered quickly this morning. He knew that it would take a lot of time to cover up the shiner he had gotten last night, and the drive to work seemed to grow longer and longer every day. Matt’s days were long and the attention to detail required of a vice president of a bank made him exhausted by the time he arrived home at night. He didn’t dare go to bed until Kent came home from work, though, which was often after two in the morning. Kent expected Matt to be available to him every night, and if Matt were asleep when Kent came home, he would accuse him of being inappreciative of him or thinking that he was better than him because he was the one with the college degree.
******
Looking directly into Matt’s eyes, Dustin finally said what he had waited all week to say to him. “If you ever need someplace to stay or someone to talk to, you are always welcome in my home, Matt.” Dustin gently touched Matt’s cheek where the bruise had been. “I would hate to lose you, Matt.” Matt’s eyes were fixed on Dustin’s obviously all seeing and all knowing eyes. He almost hated to return to his former life of loneliness and very little sleep. Matt looked at Dustin’s hand holding his tightly. “I’d better get going,” he said. “I know, Matt. I know.” Dustin gently pressed his lips to Matt’s cheek, the cheek where the bruise had been, and then he gently kissed Matt’s hand. Matt swallowed hard. They said goodbye in the parking lot, and Dustin watched as the huge airport swallowed the man he had known for only a little while. He waited for nearly thirty minutes before driving away, hoping that Matt would come running back to him, but knowing that he would not.
If You Just Smile
Matt has everything that he has ever wanted, or at least he thinks he does. His career is blossoming and he has recently been promoted to vice president of the bank in the small town where he has worked since graduating from college. If there is one thing he would love to change in his life, it is the anger which he seems to cause in his lover, yet he has no idea what he is doing to anger him. Matt does his best to be a good partner to Kent, but he is embarrassed about the black eyes and bruises which he finds very difficult to hide or find excuses for. He feels certain that his and Kent’s relationship is no different from any other couple’s, but when his boss asks him to take his place at a yearly conference, he meets a man who shows him a completely different life from the one that has now become perhaps a little too familiar to him.
EXCERPT:
Matt showered quickly this morning. He knew that it would take a lot of time to cover up the shiner he had gotten last night, and the drive to work seemed to grow longer and longer every day. Matt’s days were long and the attention to detail required of a vice president of a bank made him exhausted by the time he arrived home at night. He didn’t dare go to bed until Kent came home from work, though, which was often after two in the morning. Kent expected Matt to be available to him every night, and if Matt were asleep when Kent came home, he would accuse him of being inappreciative of him or thinking that he was better than him because he was the one with the college degree.
******
Looking directly into Matt’s eyes, Dustin finally said what he had waited all week to say to him. “If you ever need someplace to stay or someone to talk to, you are always welcome in my home, Matt.” Dustin gently touched Matt’s cheek where the bruise had been. “I would hate to lose you, Matt.” Matt’s eyes were fixed on Dustin’s obviously all seeing and all knowing eyes. He almost hated to return to his former life of loneliness and very little sleep. Matt looked at Dustin’s hand holding his tightly. “I’d better get going,” he said. “I know, Matt. I know.” Dustin gently pressed his lips to Matt’s cheek, the cheek where the bruise had been, and then he gently kissed Matt’s hand. Matt swallowed hard. They said goodbye in the parking lot, and Dustin watched as the huge airport swallowed the man he had known for only a little while. He waited for nearly thirty minutes before driving away, hoping that Matt would come running back to him, but knowing that he would not.
EXCERPT:
Matt showered quickly this morning. He knew that it would take a lot of time to cover up the shiner he had gotten last night, and the drive to work seemed to grow longer and longer every day. Matt’s days were long and the attention to detail required of a vice president of a bank made him exhausted by the time he arrived home at night. He didn’t dare go to bed until Kent came home from work, though, which was often after two in the morning. Kent expected Matt to be available to him every night, and if Matt were asleep when Kent came home, he would accuse him of being inappreciative of him or thinking that he was better than him because he was the one with the college degree.
******
Looking directly into Matt’s eyes, Dustin finally said what he had waited all week to say to him. “If you ever need someplace to stay or someone to talk to, you are always welcome in my home, Matt.” Dustin gently touched Matt’s cheek where the bruise had been. “I would hate to lose you, Matt.” Matt’s eyes were fixed on Dustin’s obviously all seeing and all knowing eyes. He almost hated to return to his former life of loneliness and very little sleep. Matt looked at Dustin’s hand holding his tightly. “I’d better get going,” he said. “I know, Matt. I know.” Dustin gently pressed his lips to Matt’s cheek, the cheek where the bruise had been, and then he gently kissed Matt’s hand. Matt swallowed hard. They said goodbye in the parking lot, and Dustin watched as the huge airport swallowed the man he had known for only a little while. He waited for nearly thirty minutes before driving away, hoping that Matt would come running back to him, but knowing that he would not.
0.99
In Stock
5
1
If You Just Smile
If You Just Smile
eBook
$0.99
Related collections and offers
0.99
In Stock
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781452455648 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | B.K. Wright/Beau to Beau Books |
| Publication date: | 10/01/2010 |
| Sold by: | Barnes & Noble |
| Format: | eBook |
| File size: | 196 KB |
About the Author
From the B&N Reads Blog