by A J Lange
Gray popped the glovebox open and waited for Zane’s next instruction, enjoying the way the early morning light caressed his face with a soft golden glow. “You’re gorgeous, you know that?”
Zane snorted. “Yes, I’m a handsome motherfucker. Now grab that list. We missed a few before.”
Gray smiled, pulling out the well-worn sheet of notebook paper. He contemplated the ones that hadn’t been crossed through with pen or pencil, frowning at the tiny scrawling script in the upper right corner that read Gray loves my cock more than Jesus.
“Well. We’re heading in the right general direction for Yosemite,” he said.
“El Capitan,” Zane murmured in delight with a terrible Spanish accent. He urged the Jeep a little faster.
◆◆◆
They were sitting under a McDonald’s drive thru window, Zane smiling up at the pretty young blonde who handed him his change and the first sack of food.
“I don’t love your cock more than Jesus,” Gray said a shade too loud.
The blonde’s smile faltered and Zane closed his eyes in resignation. ‘Thanks,” he said to the girl, shoving a Coke into Gray’s hands and rolling up his window.
“You said it,” Zane muttered. “Not me.”
Gray took a long drink of the sugary, carbonated beverage, enjoying the burn in his nostrils. “I can’t be held responsible for what I say in the throes of orgasm, Zane. ”
“Yes you can.”
“Really? So I can hold you to the time you told me you would sign over the title to the Jeep right that minute, because, in your words... ThankYouJesus, AnythingYouWant, BabyYou’reSoGoodAtThat, Don’tEverStop.” He embellished with a few breathless moans and gasps.
“Stop that!” Zane squirmed on the front seat. He grinned, biting his lip. “What would you take in trade?”
Gray considered carefully. “A dog.”
Zane sputtered. “A dog?” Then he remembered. Gray’s dream dog. “Hmm. Maybe. But you still love my cock more than Jesus. Admit it.”
“Nuh uh,” Gray wagged a finger. “If you get to trade, I do. What do you want, Nolan?”
Zane grinned. “You have to call me El Capitan whenever we’re having sex.”
Gray stared at him for a beat. “I love your cock more than Jesus.”
Zane nodded, smug. “That’s what I thought.”
AUTHOR'S NOTE
Dear Reader,
Thank you so much for reading Past, Present. I have many, many amazing memories of writing this book. This is one that will stay with me long after all the rest.
There is so much of me, my family, my friends, and my experiences tied up in Gray and Zane's storyline. The places mentioned in this fiction are all real, with the exception of Gold's Gym in Lawrence. The Kill Devil Cub really is on 14th street in the Power & Light District of KC, and it really does have the best Kobe burgers. Gray's KC apartment is inspired by a real WW1 era loft in downtown KC. I've hiked, driven, and played in every national park mentioned in Zane and Gray's later travels.
The moose and the sweet Japanese lady were real.
I can only hope you enjoyed these two and their love story as much as I have.
Please feel free to keep in touch via my Patreon page at www.patreon.com/annelielange. My regular blog posts and publishing updates are always public.
xoxo,
Annie
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