“That’s an image I could have lived without,” she said, “but if you’re wanting a change of pace, this could be good timing. I actually called to see if you had plans tonight.”
“It’s Valentine’s.”
“Sure is ...”
She waited him out until he sighed.
He knew a group of his friends would be hitting the clubs as usual. Valentine’s was just one more day they could get laid. He could go with them, skip the effort of dating and cut to the chase. None of his dates ever worked out to be much more than hook-ups anyway. But as he shifted in the bed, his body ached. Harry wasn’t in any condition for another random fuck, and he knew it.
“No plans,” he admitted, “except my pity party.”
“How about you come to a party with me instead? It’s not your usual crowd, but it’s an anti-Valentine’s Day party, so there won’t be a bunch of happy couples throwing love in our faces. It’ll be better than sitting at home, right?”
“What the hell is an anti-Valentine’s Day party?”
“Uh, well the guy throwing the party, Bret, is going to burn some of his ex-boyfriend’s stuff or something,” she said with a laugh. “Only single people were invited. It’s kind of the anti-romance place to be.”
“Sounds interesting.” And weird.
“So you’ll go? There’s going to be at least one gay guy there, and he’s cute.”
And there’s the carrot on the stick, but am I hungry enough to lunge for it? Probably.
“This isn’t you trying to set me up, is it? Because last time—”
“It’s not a set-up,” she interrupted, “and you need to forgive and forget about that last time. Everyone at work thought Kyle was gay!”
“Yet, I’m the one who had to break the news that your cousin he’d agreed to date wasn’t Mary, but Harry. It’s like my life is a sitcom.”
There was a muffled snort, and he knew she was laughing behind her hand. His life was a never-ending source of entertainment to Darla. It was less fun living it than watching it, apparently. Still, she’d always been supportive of his sexuality. Had been there, in fact, when he came out to his parents.
It had been a tension-filled night, but his parents had taken the news better than he expected, and he suspected that was in part because of Darla’s encouragement. He’d always be grateful for that, even if her teasing got annoying. Besides, he got his revenge whenever the opportunity presented itself, so they were pretty even.
“So? What’s it going to be?” she asked. “Anti-Valentine’s party with cute guy or sulking at home?”
“Well, when you put that way ... what time should I be there?”
Bret made a final pass of his apartment, checking that everything was in order for his party before guests began to arrive. He’d cleaned his little one-bedroom cottage to within an inch of its life in the past week. The wood floors glowed with a fresh coat of wax; his kitchen gleamed in all its disinfected glory; and you could safely eat off his toilet seat, not that he’d advise it.
He was more concerned now with the party essentials.
Heart Breaker alcoholic beverages? Check.
Heart-shaped cake with a crater-sized crack down the middle? Check.
Box of ex-boyfriend mementos ready for burning? Check.
All the other party crap, like snack food and soda and beer? Yeah, whatever.
Bret might hate Valentine’s Day, but no one could accuse him of poor party planning. He was ready to indoctrinate his single friends into joining his pledge to give a big fuck-you to romance on V-Day. Why should they feel bad they weren’t getting roses or dating some loser? Valentine’s Day was totally commercialized, practically a conspiracy to make money for flower shops and supermarkets selling greeting cards and chocolates.
By the time he heard a knock at the door, a small fire was already smoking in the fire pit in his backyard. Bret was more excited for that phase of the party than any other.
He couldn’t wait to watch Jake’s T-shirt go up in flames. He’d had that stupid thing in a box since Jake dumped him two years ago. Not to mention the stupid ties his more recent ex, Noah, bought him for his birthday. He didn’t even wear ties, but then Noah had probably had his head in the gutter when he bought them. A total waste of time when it came to Bret, which he soon learned judging by his “cold fucking fish” comments during his break-up monologue.
Jesus, but that guy liked to hear himself talk. Bret was better off without him. Without all of them. Hence, the anti-Valentine’s Day party.
Thank you for reading!
Letter from DJ
Dear reader,
Thank you for reading Chris and Ant’s love story in My Anti-Marriage!
If you could spare a few moments to write a review, even just a few words, it would be so helpful to an indie author like me. Thank you for spending your reading time with me and the Anti series. It’s been so much fun exploring the love stories of this small group of friends who love and support each other.
M/M romance is a small genre, and we’re a community. I love connecting with readers on social media. I share sneak peeks of upcoming novels and offer giveaways of books and other prizes in my readers group on Facebook. If social media isn’t your cup of tea, not to worry! I also offer bonus content and exclusive giveaways through my newsletter list. Sign up here!
I also encourage you to join my FB group for fun teasers and other extras: DJ and Company
You can connect with me on social media in other ways, as well!
Twitter
Goodreads
Book Bub
Queer Romance Freebie Fan Club
About the Author
DJ Jamison is the author of the m/m romance series Ashe Sentinel Connections and the new spin-off series Hearts and Health. DJ grew up in the Midwest and worked in newsrooms for more than 10 years, which came in handy when she began writing stories centered on a series of love connections between small-town Kansas newspaper staffers, their sources and their readers. It was the perfect entrance into the world of fiction, and she has since branched out into ERs and health clinics to tell the stories of characters who are flawed but loveable. DJ is married with two sons and three glow-in-the-dark fish.
Books by DJ Jamison
Ashe Sentinel Connections
Changing Focus
Source of Protection
Rewriting His Love Life
Winter Blom
Hard Press
Chance for Christmas
Hearts and Health
Heart Trouble
Bedside Manner
Urgent Care
Room for Recovery
Surprise Delivery
Orderly Affair
Real Estate Relations
Full Disclosure
Buyer’s Remorse (coming fall 2018)
My Anti Series
My Anti-Valentine
My Anti-Boyfriend
My Anti-Marriage
Standalone books
Love by Number
Yours for the Holiday
The Espinoza Boys
Earning Edie (m/f)
Catching Jaime (m/m)
My Anti-Marriage Page 14