Celestial Seductions: The Complete Series: An MM Gay Paranormal Mpreg Romance Collection

by Odin Nightshade

  He wondered what Chad was up to now. He hadn’t seen him in years. Not since he and Ashley had graduated from high school. That was right before he had been drafted to the NFL. That summer was the first time that he had seen him as anything other than his little sister’s best friend.

  Chad had also been ready to leave the town then. He was going to college to study music and Josh had been certain that Chad would be a big name in no time. Surprisingly, he had never been able to find any work that he had released. Maybe he was going by a different name?

  Josh had tried to keep in touch with Chad afterward, but Chad had blown him off. He smiled at the thought that he could now have any woman he wanted. The only person who had ever really set him aflame was the only one who had ended things so soon, before they could even truly begin themselves.

  Josh sighed inwardly, grimacing at his memories of their last talk together. Chad had said that he felt as if he would be betraying Ashley by trying to have a relationship with him. Despite all of Josh’s best arguments he could not change his mind. Eventually, he simply stopped responding to him.

  The worst part about it was that Chad had stopped speaking with Ashley, as well. Josh hoped that he had not been the cause of the end of their friendship. Ashley had been devastated. Chad had drifted away from them both and into his own life, wherever he was now.

  The door closed behind him and Josh breathed a sigh of relief that the woman had left. He made a quick call down to his driver before exiting the room himself.

  Chapter 4

  Chad smoothed his hands down the navy blazer that he had chosen for his dinner with Ashley and Wyatt. It was his best item of clothing and he had been saving it for a special occasion. After it sat at the back of his closet for a year and a half he had decided that this was probably the right time to wear it.

  And it did look right. Paired with formal pants and with a more casual shirt he had to admit it suited him. He turned in front of the mirror and smiled at himself, shyly. He hoped it would do.

  When he entered the restaurant he had to remind himself to quit fidgeting. He straightened his shoulders and ran a hand over his thick blonde curls. He was determined to appear comfortable with this level of luxury. He was nervous. He told himself that he should not be, but he could not help it.

  Chad had done the best that he could in his situation. Being a single parent had been difficult. Though he might often wish that he had more personal accomplishments, if he had the chance he would not change a thing. Emmy was a smart, precocious, loving child and she was Chad’s pride and joy.

  That did not make it any easier to walk into a restaurant and know that he was meeting with two people who were incredibly successful, and worldly. Chad laughed. He had hardly even been outside of Norman’s Bay, let alone traveled the world.

  Ashley and Wyatt were late. Chad allowed the hostess to seat him and he sipped a glass of iced water while he watched the door with a pounding heart. Would he recognize Ashley? Would Ashley recognize him?

  Chad laughed to himself. Of course Ashley would recognize him. Though he had cut his hair shorter since school, and he was maybe more muscled after the last few years, Chad looked exactly the same as he had the last time that he saw his friend.

  When Ashley and Wyatt finally entered the restaurant, Chad had to instruct himself not to reveal the surprise that he felt. Ashley was transformed. Her light brown hair had been dyed a coppery blonde. It was twisted into an elegant top-knot that looked impossibly smooth. She looked sophisticated and elegant and it suited her, he had to admit, smilingly.

  He stood up and greeted his friend.

  “You look fantastic!” Chad was afraid to touch Ashley. Her designer clothes were perfectly laundered, she was adorned with jewels of which Chad did not even want to attempt to guess the value, and her makeup made her look like the cover of a beauty magazine.

  Ashley instantly flung her arms around Chad and pulled him close.

  “Chad!” Ashley leaned back and looked at Chad with tears in her eyes. “I missed you so much. I can’t tell you how much it means to me that you’ll be attending my wedding.”

  “Of course! I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Chad smiled, surprised and touched. He had not known she cared so much. He hugged his friend once more before they all sat down at the table.

  Chad listened to the updates on Ashley’s life. Every time the conversation started to turn toward him he redirected it to the couple, by claiming that this weekend was about them. Ashley seemed appeased because it was clear that he was hoping that they would have more time to catch up after the wedding. Chad could tell that Ashley was hopeful that this weekend would renew the communications that they had lost.

  “…and of course we flew in the best caterer in the country. I’ve got a film coming up after our honeymoon and I can’t afford to jeopardize my figure.” Wyatt explained. “I can’t imagine how this town survives on all of this so-called comfort food. I mean, this is the only restaurant in town that even provided a tofu dish, let alone anything else remotely vegetarian. It’s disgraceful, really. Don’t you agree, Chad?”

  “I… Well… I guess I’m generally more of a burger or pasta type of guy.” He shrugged. To be perfectly honest, this restaurant was not frequented by many of the locals, who preferred heartier meals at lower prices.

  “I can’t believe that.” Wyatt seemed shocked at his revelation. “How do you maintain your figure?”

  Chad shrugged. He was just under six feet tall and had been fortunate to lose all of the weight he had put on after Emmy was born. He grinned, inwardly. Imagine if they knew that was what he had been thinking!

  “I do a lot of walking, and lift weights at home,” he said, vaguely.

  It was, he thought, true. Manning a bar and doing handyman work at the motel did require a lot of physical activity. If Wyatt assumed that he was referring to recreational walking he was not about to correct him...That suited him just fine.

  Wyatt nodded, as if that explained everything. Wyatt was going to stick out like a sore thumb in Norman’s Bay. Everything from his perfectly tailored coral trousers to his leather loafers screamed Hollywood actor.

  Chad noticed that Ashley had become more refined as well. Josh and Ashley’s parents were a sweet, working-class couple who had done everything that they could to give their children a chance at the best life possible. It seemed as if all of their hard work had paid off.

  Ashley tapped her perfectly manicured fingernails on the table and stared at Chad with wide eyes.

  “I can’t believe you’re here.” She said eventually. “I haven’t been back to the Bay in so long that I wasn’t even sure that you still lived here.”

  “I do.” Chad laughed with a false bravado. “I would not have missed your wedding for the world, Ashley.”

  Chad noticed that Ashley looked nervous about something and he waited for his friend to speak. Slowly, Ashley pulled a gilded wedding invitation from her clutch. The ornate paper had obviously been professionally designed for the couple specifically. Chad accepted the invitation with gratitude.

  “I didn’t know where to send it.” Ashley revealed a half smile. “It’s just a small little gathering, close family and friends. No press. We didn’t want to waste the time with a long engagement so, unfortunately, it’s been short notice for all of the guests.”

  Before Chad could respond, Ashley pressed on.

  “That’s not all.”

  Chad felt his nerves rise. Ashley flashed a smile that Chad recognized from when they were younger. The one that Ashley had always used when she was up to something. “There’s really only one thing left that will finish our wedding planning and I was hoping that you could help us.”

  Chad knew exactly what was coming.

  “It would mean so much to me if you would sing at the wedding. Just the ceremony. You’ll be able to enjoy the reception like all the other guests. We’ve hired a DJ for that.” Ashley interlocked her fingers and held her hands in front
of her. “Please, Chad. I’ve always dreamed of walking down the aisle to your voice, ever since we were children. Please say that you’ll do it.”

  With his long-lost best friend staring at him with wide, blue eyes, how could Chad refuse?

  “I would be honored to sing at your wedding.” Chad smiled. “But are you sure that you don’t want someone with more experience?”

  “Nope.” Ashley’s voice was resolute. “I just want you.” The grin that covered the young bride’s face eliminated all of Chad’s fears, if only momentarily.

  This weekend was going to be much more complicated than he had anticipated, but if he could do this one thing for Ashley maybe it would make up for his actions in the recent years. He had hated having to abandon their friendship. He just had not had another option. This would help to set things right...it was ideal.

  “You have to come to the rehearsal dinner on Friday,” his friend continued, “...The whole family is coming and you should be there. Mom and dad would love to see you and Josh’s coming home for the first time since he was drafted.” Ashley said excitedly.

  Chad felt the blood drain from his face. The idea of spending an evening surrounded by Ashley’s family, especially Josh, was enough to give Chad nightmares.

  “Unfortunately, I’m busy on Friday, but I’m sure that I’ll see them on Saturday.” Chad smiled and hoped that his excuse seemed casual enough. He really had no excuse and hoped that he would not be caught in the lie. Ashley might be distracted with the plans for the wedding but the other family members, particularly Josh, would not be so easily-deceived.

  Chad had known that he would have to see Ashley’s family this weekend, but he had hoped to just give a brief greeting to Mr. and Mrs. Holmes before slipping off for the night. Thankfully, Ashley’s parents were so busy enjoying their retirement and traveling all over the country that they were rarely in town. As far as he was aware, they had no knowledge of Emmy’s existence.

  Chapter 5

  Josh closed the door to one of the guest rooms at the house that he had bought his parents. He needed a moment to himself. Every other room seemed to be filled with people he did not know. Friends of Ashley and Wyatt, the groom’s family, and people from town that he could barely recognize. He sighed.

  Tonight was the welcome-home dinner for the couple. In addition to the raucous get-together that was going on downstairs, the yard was also teaming with hired hands, event planners, and all sorts of venue professionals.

  Ashley was planning to be married in the extravagant gardens that had come with the property. Josh had made sure that the grounds had been properly maintained, even though his parents had spent very little time here in the recent years.

  With their children's financial independence, their parents had quickly retired and taken advantage of the freedom that it allowed.

  Josh was used to the attention of being a celebrity. That was nothing new. Sometimes he liked it, or at least his ego did. This was not one of those times. He had not expected to be fawned over and gawked at here in this place, surrounded by his family. The small town's residents and new acquaintances seemed in awe of him and were constantly asking for autographs and gossip that surrounded the professional athlete.

  What he really wanted was to be treated like a regular human. For some reason, today the attention was especially strange and a little overwhelming. Maybe he was just tired.

  The door opened and Ashley slipped through it.

  “Hey, bro.” he gave him a light punch in the arm. “Are you looking for some peace and quiet too?”

  Josh nodded. He tapped his hand on the edge of the bed and his sister came over to sit beside him. Ashley rested her head on his shoulder and he wrapped an arm around him.

  “What’s up?” He asked.

  “Nothing.” She yawned. “I’ve just had a long day and I needed a minute to regroup.”

  “Are you tired of giving instructions to the Army that’s out in the yard?” Josh laughed.

  Ashley looked at him in shock. “Of course not! I was born to throw parties.” She yawned again and covered her mouth with her hand.

  “You hardly ate anything at dinner. Are you sure you that you’re all right?” He pressed.

  “Well I had no idea that mom and dad were throwing a dinner party.” She laughed. “I had already eaten. Actually… Wyatt and I had dinner with Chad.”

  Josh felt his stomach drop. He was amazed by how the mention of Chad's name was enough to send his mind reeling.

  “Oh? Is he in town?” He tried to sound casual.

  Ashley turned to him with bright eyes and renewed energy. “Apparently he still lives here.” Ashley shrugged. “He’s coming to the wedding! He’s going to sing at the ceremony. Josh, I’m so excited. He hasn’t spoken to me in years except for a few texts here and there. After the wedding is over I’m determined to find out what I did wrong.”

  Interestingly enough, Josh’s thoughts mirrored Ashley’s exactly. Except for the part about waiting until after the wedding. For the first time since that summer four years ago, Chad would be unable to avoid him. This was his chance. He was going to find out why he broke it off with him. He was going to find out why he had effectively cut his entire family out of his life.

  For years, Josh had gone over and over what he might have done wrong. Everything had seemed so perfect. Years had passed. Chad couldn’t possibly still harbor anger for whatever it was that he had done to upset him, now, could he?

  Josh decided that he needed more information from Ashley before he enacted his plan. He attempted to question her as casually as possible.

  “I don’t know how I feel about you two being friends again.” He laughed and poked his sister in the ribs. “You two played a lot of pranks on me when we were kids.”

  “It isn’t as if you didn’t get us back ten times worse!” Ashley giggled. For a moment they both sat in silence as the memories played like a video in their minds. Josh was glad that Ashley was not privy to his own thoughts. She had never suspected that any interest had passed between her brother and her oldest friend. For all Ashley knew, Josh thought of Chad as a younger brother. This was not the case. It had not been the case for a very long time.

  The fact that Ashley had never known about their connection made it even more difficult to watch her not understanding why Chad had severed ties with her. Josh was fairly certain that it was his fault. That he somehow scared Chad away. He had never worked up the courage to explain to his sister that his own feelings had ruined the best friendship that she had ever had.

  “What’s Chad up to now?” He made sure that his tone sounded as if he did not really care about the answer. In reality, his heart was racing. What if Ashley said that Chad had met someone else? What if he had a family? Was it possible that he would have been able to find, with someone else, that elusive feeling that Josh himself had only ever experienced with him? Josh did not even know if Chad would be gay or bisexual. They had both been so young and everything had been so new to them.

  “That’s the funny thing.” Ashley sighed. “I have no idea. We talked for over an hour at dinner, but in all that time I never really found anything out about him. He’s so mysterious. Every time I tried to ask him a question about himself he would redirect the conversation to the wedding, or my life. Of course Wyatt had no problem with this, so I wasn’t able to push the matter.”

  Josh was surprised by this. Chad had always been very open and excited to talk about the adventures that he had planned for his life. He had never been one to keep secrets.

  “The only thing that I know for sure, is that he still lives here in the Bay.” Ashley stood up and prepared to return to the party. “Not that I know where.” She grumbled. “I couldn’t even mail him an invitation.”

  Ashley left the room and Josh was alone with his own thoughts. If Chad still lived in Norman’s Bay, it couldn’t be that difficult to track him down. With new found determination, he returned to the party. Tomorrow, he would find him. Tomo
rrow, he would have a lot of questions to answer and this time he would not be able to avoid him.

  Chapter 6

  Chad was rolling silverware into cloth napkins when the man walked through the door.

  Josh Holmes. As tall and handsome as ever, his life as a professional athlete had filled out his muscles making him look, if possible, even more appealing.

  Chad froze, then continued what he was doing. His hands were shaking. He wanted to run away and hide, but he refused to let Josh see that. It wasn't just because Josh was seeing him at his job—it was inevitable that at some point during their stay Josh and Ashley would discover the truth about his life. The problem was that this was the first time in four years he had seen him this close.

  Chad kept his head down. He had expected Josh to take a seat and wait to be served, not to recognize him, after four years. When he made a beeline directly toward him, him heart began to race.

  “You’re a hard man to track down, considering how small this town is.” Josh sat on a stool on the other side of the counter and leaned his elbows on the surface.

  Chad wasn’t surprised that the locals were hesitant to share information about him: It was well known in the town that Chad preferred to be left alone. He was pleased to hear that there were at least some people here who respected that. After being disowned for “bringing shame onto his family”, Chad had done his best to keep a low profile. He had survived on his own, and the townsfolk respected him for that.

  When he didn’t respond, Josh continued.

  “I was surprised to find out that you came back.” He said. He flashed that killer skewed grin that used to melt his knees, and Chad reinforced the steel around his heart.

  “Yeah, the music thing didn’t really work out,” he began, “and I guess I missed this place, so…” he shrugged and grabbed another napkin to start rolling, “here I am.”