“What’s this, ah?” One of the handsome models came over to join us. She’d signalled him over.
“Meet Rutledge Flynn. He works for California Models and supports LGBT causes, and you and him will do a photoshoot for Jazz together. Part of the proceeds for the shirt sale will go to the Trevor Project.” She put extra emphasis on the together. Then one of the women who I assumed was an editor or something came over.
“Hello, Marshall, I’m the co-owner of Jazz clothing. You are such an inspiration, coming out, and being true to yourself. Brenna said you’d be happy to be the face of our new campaign, along with Rutledge here.”
Then I clapped my hands together, hugged them all in a group hug, and said okay, but asked if I could quickly call my boyfriend.
“Of course, we’ll start in fifteen minutes.”
I didn’t even look at the time and phoned Stu. “Hey, baby.”
“Hey,” his voice sounded rough.
“Oh shit, I didn’t think.”
“No, no, you sound happy. What is it? Tell me.”
So I excitedly told him the good news about the next shoot and all it stood for. “They’d seen the gossip magazines I guess and want to stand behind me and show a photoshoot with two men. Isn’t that amazing?”
“Fantastic. So, so happy for you.” Then he made kissy noises and went back to sleep, I guess. “Sweet dreams, baby,” I said but wasn’t sure he’d heard.
I raced back into the photoshoot area. “Ready to go. Thanks so much too.” The shirts looked amazing on us, and I experienced a new first in modelling, being on a shoot with a guy. Well, of course there’d been other bookings with other men, but this was different.
We wrapped our arms round each other and smiled. This was more playful and fun. We jumped in the air for action shots, and Rutledge was a great companion. They had us do a shoot as if we were at a 1950s soda shoppe, and we both had tall drinks with straws all the while making the shirts and the rainbow logo the star of the show. I was surprised at how much I was enjoying myself. There was a mock arm wrestle between us too.
The photographer came up. “Think we got it, guys. Great working with you.” We shook his hand and went to the change room.
Rutledge cleared his throat, seeming nervous. Usually I would ignore it, but I said, “That was fun. Thanks.”
“You are such an inspiration. Well, I just wanted you to know.” I looked over at him, realizing from my own experience that that must have taken a lot for him to say, and I noticed he was much younger than me, maybe early twenties.
“Ah, thanks. It wasn’t easy. But listen, I’m glad I did it. Even if there’s negative outcomes, I’ve never been happier.” I tried to put him at ease but probably wasn’t doing a great job. Too bad Stu wasn’t here. “Been modelling long?”
“Wow, thanks for being so transparent. I really just started. Got headhunted, I guess you’d say.” He ran over and gave me an awkward hug. I held him tight.
“If you ever want to talk or anything, just call me or email.” I went over to my bag and found my business card and handed it to him. “Was great to work with you.”
I felt my heart almost sing at the smile he gave me, like it was the best thing that ever happened in his life. Wow. Then I turned from him and finished getting changed.
I was exhausted back at the hotel but young Rutledge was on my mind for some reason. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but maybe we could be friends.
My phone rang and when I saw it was Stuart, I sat up as I was so excited. It was 5:00 a.m. for him, and I’d thought it would be too early. I knew the magazine wouldn’t be out yet either.
“Hey, baby,” I heard. He was miles away and yet it felt like he was close. “Good rest of the day?”
“It’s really early for you, but I’m glad you called. I’ll see you tomorrow. Good morning, baby.” I smiled and put the phone down and drifted off to sleep.
We were on the way home, finally. I’d spoken to Stu briefly, and he said the magazine was fabulous. I couldn’t wait to see it for myself. He said he and Jamieson would be at my place and have dinner ready. Sounded perfect to me.
I invited Brenna, too, so she joined us. As soon as I got in the door, Jess jumped up on me, followed shortly after by Stu doing the same thing.
“Get a room,” Jamieson and Brenna said in unison.
“Oh, we will, once you guys leave,” Stu said.
“Smells amazing. And we’re exhausted so you’ll have to wait on us hand and foot.”
“Oh right, well, I’m used to it. Remember when you hurt yourself?”
I laughed, thinking back. “Okay, let’s not go there. Brenna, what do you want to drink? I’ll get us something.”
Stu came over and shoved us to the couch. “No, no, I’ll get it. Of course, you’re exhausted.”
28
STUART
I had to sidetrack Marshall from the drinks because there was a surprise for him in the fridge. I got our drinks ready and we sat around the coffee table chatting.
“Come on, where is it?” Marshall asked. Of course I knew he meant the magazine, but I acted like I didn’t.
“What, you have your drink. And here I am.” I took an elaborate bow. Then Jamieson got in on it.
“I’m here too. Don’t forget me.” He did a curtsey for extra effect.
“Okay, fine. That’s okay, then I didn’t get you guys gifts in Los Angeles. Right, Bren?”
Shit, I thought. I looked at Jamieson in unison. He was obviously thinking the same thing. Then he ran to the kitchen and picked up the four copies.
“Got us all one to look at.” We sat down as I stayed close to Marshall. I’d already looked at it, but I wanted to see his reaction. Earlier, Jess, Jamieson, and I had gone to WH Smith, and I waited outside with Jess and asked him to go in for one copy. It was his idea to get a few.”
He flipped through, skimmed the article, I think, and mainly looked at the photos. It was hard to decipher all of his reactions, they seemed happy, then maybe a bit sad, but then he smiled, put the magazine down and reached over to hold me and kiss me. “Thank you, thank you,” he murmured, nuzzling against me, “for everything.”
Then we heard from Brenna and Jamieson in unison. “Get a room.”
“We heard you last time, remember?” We broke apart and went to the table to eat dinner. I’d made a simple pasta, yet it was probably only the tenth meal that’d been made in that kitchen. I laughed as I brought over the plates for everyone. Somehow that triggered thoughts of the future—would I live here? What about Jamieson? Wouldn’t it suck to live alone so much. Wow, Marshall’d done that most of his life.
I pushed the thoughts aside to enjoy dinner. “Here we go. Enjoy.” Sitting with Marshall, Brenna, and Jamieson was wonderful. Marshall told us all about Jazz’s clothing and the new LGBT shirts, and Brenna told us stories about Marshall “B.S.” as she said. We all gasped.
“It stands for ‘Before Stuart.’” Then we all laughed. “One time he was in such a mood, and I assumed it was because he hadn’t got his coffee, so I went to the next Starbucks we passed and got him one. He looked at me like I was crazy and I didn’t want to explain, but he said, ‘I’ve already had one, if I add this, I’ll be buzzed all day.’ Turned out he’d stubbed his toe earlier in the morning. And he begrudgingly even told me that.”
“Aww, poor baby,” I said and elbowed him. “Now, Marshall, close your eyes.” Running to the kitchen, I pulled the chocolate cake I’d made out of the fridge and added sprinkles. I’d already written “Congratulations” on it. After he told me about the new ad with Rutledge, I wanted to do something special for him. I wouldn’t tell him that when I’d dropped some butter, Jess got to it before I could clean it up.
Lighting some candles on the cake, I brought it over, put it in front of him, and said he could open his eyes. His face lit up. “Wait, what’s this for? My birthday isn’t for months.”
“It’s for your new ad and the shirts. I’m so so proud of you,”
I said, wrapping my arms round his neck. “You deserve it.”
He looked like he might cry and I quickly pulled it away to cut up slices for us. He wiped at his cheeks quickly to cover it up. “Who could say no to chocolate cake? Thank you, babe.”
We all ate and the moans that were coming from Marshall were exquisite and yet pure torture. I wanted to take him to the bedroom and fuck him senseless. Sitting at the table, I took his hand in mine and let him feel the bulge in my pants. He looked to me and smiled. A smile that meant fun would come later.
Brenna said she was going to head home and Jamieson said he’d make sure she got there safe. After they left, Marshall hugged me tight. “Thank you for the cake. No one’s ever done that for me before.”
“What, really? Never?” I couldn’t help but feel sorry for him for a moment. My mood could easily have clouded over, but I wouldn’t let that happen.
“It’s true.”
“Well, I’ll be making us more cakes then. Speaking of, when is your birthday?”
“Now, anyone else, I would direct to one of the gossip magazines. I bet Jamieson knows.”
“Are you trying to catch me out?” I enquired. “Okay, yes, I did look up a few things when Jamieson told me who you were, but I don’t know when your birthday is.”
“I’ll tell ya closer to the time, so I can pre order my cake.”
“Deal.”
Epilogue
MARSHALL
In the few days after the story aired, the paparazzi reappeared outside my building, and then it died off. I was news for a few days, but it didn’t last long. They’d probably moved on to the next big story.
After I did the ad for the LGBT shirts, the modelling contracts didn’t slow down at all. A few jerks stopped calling, but Brenna said more new ones appeared seemingly overnight.
It was me who told her I needed to slow down. I wanted a week off a month, at least, and Stu even joined me on some trips. Those were the best. Seeing some of the sights together brought a whole new aspect to my life. But sometimes, getting back home was the best feeling ever.
It was a beautiful summer afternoon and we were at the cottage in York. We’d taken a well-deserved trip up here with Jess and soon we’d have guests. Our friends, our family: Brenna, and her girlfriend, who I’d never met, Carter, Jamieson, and Antoni. And Stuart’s mum. I was excited to meet her. She sounded like a hoot, even if she worried about Stuart. She meant well.
I hadn’t told Stuart yet about my surprise for him. I’d spoken to his mum and she sounded ecstatic to be invited. He knew some people were coming over and that was about it.
Stuart had the barbecue going and I brought him a drink. Jess padded along after me. “That smells fabulous.” A car pulled up the driveway and I went to greet them.
I noticed Carter and Jamieson didn’t seem to make eye contact or talk to each other, but they were polite and enjoyed the afternoon. I didn’t even know if they’d seen each other since the debacle at the gala.
We played games, chatted, and laughed. Everyone would stay for the weekend so they could enjoy our “home away from home” with us.
I pulled Stu away from the barbecue and into my side. “Wait, what’s going on? I don’t like the look in your eyes.” He pushed his finger into my chest. “Did you do something?”
Ignoring him, I kept talking to everyone. “Thanks everyone for being here. I have some news to share—even though Stu here looks flabbergasted and is at a loss for words—first time I can tell you.” Everyone laughed. “We’re expecting”—pausing, Stu’s eyes were wide open, stunned—“a brother for Jess. We’ll adopt him next week!” I pulled my phone out to show them a photo of the puppy.
Stuart hugged me tight. “Oh, my god. I cannae believe it.” He grinned wickedly. “You managed to keep a secret from me.”
Everyone smiled and raised a glass, and there were hugs all around.
COMING NEXT IS CARTER AND JAMIESON’S STORY
Acknowledgments
I couldn’t have done this without my wonderful editor, Lisa. Thank you for making this book better and polishing my words.
Thank you to Sheryl, Barb, Anita, Brooke, Nicola, Cassandra, and Melissa, for your help and input.
Thank you to all the readers who have read my books and let me know they enjoyed the stories and characters. It means so much.
About the Author
Claire Castle grew up surrounded by books. She has loved reading for her whole life. Her true love is romance and HEAs. When she’s not reading or writing, she can be found wearing comfortable leggings, drinking mocha, and petting her west highland white terriers. She loves collecting mugs and paperbacks of her favourite stories.
I love to hear from readers. Please feel free to email me at: [email protected]
Also by Claire Castle
Christmas Novellas
Snowflakes & Cinnamon Buns
Walking In A Winter Wonderland
Novels
The World Traveler
Boyfriend or Bust
Cake Clash - co-write
Marshall (Mayfair Model Series Book 1) Page 21