by Megan Slayer
Table of Contents
Books by Megan Slayer
Title Page
Legal Page
Book Description
Dedication
Trademark Acknowledgements
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Epilogue
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About the Author
Pride Publishing books by Megan Slayer
Single Books
Constant
Permanent
Vaulting
Drive my Car
We Belong Together
Finding Michael
Must Love Dogs
The One I Want
You and Me Again
The Real Me
My Other Half
Cedarwood Pride
Home to Cedarwood
Ripples in Cedarwood
Scoring in Cedarwood
Rainbows over Cedarwood
Rocking Cedarwood
Cedarwood Manny
Anthologies
Out of Bounds: Crossing the Line
Out of Bounds: Making the Play
Aim High: Lifetime Hitch
Brothers in Arms: One Night with You
Collections
What’s his Passion?: Wild Card
Cedarwood Pride
TOGETHER IN CEDARWOOD
MEGAN SLAYER
Together in Cedarwood
ISBN # 978-1-83943-029-9
©Copyright Megan Slayer 2020
Cover Art by Cherith Vaughan ©Copyright April 2020
Interior text design by Claire Siemaszkiewicz
Pride Publishing
This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Pride Publishing.
Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Pride Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.
The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.
Published in 2020 by Pride Publishing, United Kingdom.
No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the authors’ rights. Purchase only authorised copies.
Pride Publishing is an imprint of Totally Entwined Group Limited.
If you purchased this book without a cover you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as “unsold and destroyed” to the publisher and neither the author nor the publisher has received any payment for this “stripped book”.
Book seven in the
Cedarwood Pride series
These opposites certainly attract, but will their differences be enough to keep them apart or will they find a way to come together in Cedarwood?
Bobby Gagnon came back to town in the hopes of starting over. He’s got his kids and his accounting business, but he wants more. One look at the hot guy sharing the running trail with him is enough to stoke Bobby’s fire. He wants to hook up with the sexy runner, but he doesn’t even know the guy’s name. Will the man even want to be with a single father?
Remy Nicholas never considered himself a kid person or parent material. He’s happy with his job at the Cedarwood Tribune, but it’s not enough. Something’s always been missing from his life. He keeps seeing the same guy at the park—tall, dark, handsome, and hot as hell in those running shorts. Although he’s shy, Remy isn’t about to let this guy get away without at least one night together.
These opposites certainly attract, but will their differences be enough to keep them apart or will they find a way to come together in Cedarwood?
Dedication
For my editor because you rock.
For JPZ. You know why.
Trademark Acknowledgements
The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:
Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi Alliance
iPhone: Apple, Inc.
Chapter One
“Hi. My name is Robert, but everyone calls me Bobby. I’m a single father to two great kids—er, young people. My son says he’s not a kid. Chris is fifteen and my daughter, Darcy, is twelve. I’ve got a teen and an almost teen.” Christ, he felt old.
“My daughter swims and my son’s a runner.” Bobby stuffed his hands into his pockets. Talking in public didn’t bother him, but talking about himself did. He had to press on, though. If he didn’t talk, he’d never get this out. “I didn’t plan on being a single parent, but I also couldn’t deny who I am. I tried the traditional route and got married to a woman. Helene and I had some good times. Darcy was our best creation, and when we adopted Chris as an older child, I thought things were great. They were happy and I thought I was, but I was miserable. I knew I was gay, but there was no amount of therapy that my folks could find to fix me before I got married. It took me a long time to understand I wasn’t the one who needed fixing. Anyway, I came out to my wife, and she left me. It turned out all of the happy feelings were a joke. A sham. She had a guy on the side and didn’t want the kids. She’d had Darcy to please me and went through with the adoption because she thought I wanted it. She never wanted either. She turned over parental rights, so for the last five years it’s just been the three of us. I’ve had boyfriends, but nothing worth much. The kids come first.”
He sat down and exhaled. Holy shit. He’d babbled his head off. It felt oddly good to talk, though. He had so much bottled up since the divorce. He hadn’t even mentioned that he was the son of the police chief or that he’d grown up in Cedarwood and left because his parents couldn’t handle him being gay.
Another man stood and told his story, then a woman talked about being newly single. The group had been called the Single Father Society, but they’d changed it to the generic ‘LGBTQ Support Group’. Two lesbians and a straight woman whose best gay friend had just died and she needed someone to talk to were now members. He appreciated the mix of people and not being the only person with problems.
He barely paid attention to the other speakers. His mind kept returning to his schedule for the next day. With the kids out of school, he’d spend the morning at the metro park. Darcy had to get to swim practice by eight, and Chris had conditioning for cross-country starting at half-past eight. He toyed with the fitness band on his wrist. He’d probably end up running the ten-mile course while he waited. He needed to get stuff done at work. Shit. He’d have to call his mother to see if she’d keep an eye on the kids.
“Bobby?”
Fuck. Someone had called his name. He snapped his attention back to the group. “Sorry.” He wasn’t—not really. He’d never been able to focus.
“We’re done.” Colin Baker grinned. “You were a million miles away.” He flipped his h
air off his brow and shook his head. “A hundred million miles.”
Bobby had been back in town for a month and had only spent time with his kids, the parents at the various practices and his clients. Besides work situations, tonight’s meeting was his first venture out without his children.
“Yeah. Sorry. I’ve got too much on my mind.” And on his plate. He appraised his friend from high school. “You’ve changed,” Bobby said. But so had he. “You’re taller? New glasses? Dyed your hair?”
“Nope, nope and nope.” Colin twiddled with his phone. “I’m busy at the bookstore and I lost some weight, but that’s it. I’m in charge of the group here, but I’m not single so I guess I should step down. Remember Jordan?” He turned his phone around. A photo of Colin, a kid and a guy in a police uniform graced the home page. “That’s him and my son, Gage. We’re getting married. Me and Jordan—not Gage. That would be silly. He’s a kid.”
“I knew what you meant.” The longer he looked at the photo, the more memories from high school came back to him. He did remember Jordan Hargrove. He hadn’t been in Jordan’s social circle, but he’d been good friends with Colin. He wouldn’t have put Colin and Jordan together. “He used to be a real dick.”
“Funny. My brother says that exact same thing.” Colin tucked the phone into his back pocket.
Farin, Colin’s younger brother, strolled over to where they stood. “What am I guilty of that I might or might not have done?”
“You call Jordan ‘Officer Dick,’” Colin replied.
“I used to.” Farin smiled. “He’s grown on me.” He slid his gaze over Bobby. “I’m glad you’re back, Bobby. This town is becoming a strange version of a high school reunion. If you’re not from school, then we’ve got kids in common.” He held up his cell phone and pointed to a photo on the screen. “My partner is one of the swim instructors over at the metro park. I’ve probably seen you there, and if I haven’t, I’m sure we’ll cross paths there.”
“Partner?” He was coupled up too? Christ. Everyone in the damn support group already had someone. No, he was wrong. Two of them did, but still.
“Steve.” Farin pointed to another photo. “He’s my boy toy and I’m the elder statesman.” He smiled, then wandered over to another group of men who were deep in conversation about what sounded like comic books—Bobby wasn’t sure.
Colin rolled his eyes and folded his arms. “They’re getting married too.”
“So this is a dating pool?” Bobby snorted. The last thing he needed was a date. Actually, he could use a good fuck, but he wasn’t high on bringing random guys home.
“Kind of.” Colin collected the papers from one of the tables. “Jordan and I met because I got a speeding ticket.”
“He nabbed you with his radar, eh?” Bobby asked and gathered up some of the other papers.
“I earned the violation, sadly. I sped through a school zone. Not my best hour, but I learned.” Colin shrugged. “Farin met Steve at the metro park. They’ve bonded over comics and art.” He paused. “I don’t see Colt or Ashley, but they’re together. Colt owns the diner. Best fries around. Ash teaches at the elementary school. His son, Wyatt, is a trip. We had a new pair of members join. Dr. Adrien Ellet and his boyfriend-slash-manny, Nathan, are part of the group. Adrien’s son, Kyle, goes to school with Wyatt and Gage. Oh, and our friend Niall is now with Michael, who happens to be in a band and goes by the name of Bandit. Got all that?” He grinned. “Niall and Michael don’t have kids, but they’re part of our group, so other than them, yeah, this has become a dating pool.”
“I’m not interested in getting a date.” He’d told himself that lie so many times he almost believed it. Almost.
“None of us were either. Jordan and I sort of happened, and I might have had a hand in getting Farin to notice Steve.”
“You set me up,” Farin called but didn’t leave the other group.
“Something like that. Ash and Colt were their own organic thing. They met on their own, and Michael and Niall met at the school.” Colin paused again. “How old did you say Darcy was? Twelve? She’ll be too old for their classes. They’re both at the elementary school.”
Bobby rocked on his feet. He’d forgotten how much Colin could talk. “Middle school and high school for us. I got them registered two weeks ago, and Chris has already joined the cross-country team. He ran for his old school in Chagrin and had a couple of records.”
“That’s awesome.” Colin beamed, then sobered. He put one hand up. “I have to say this. If you’re contacted by the Coalition for Order in Cedarwood, tread lightly.”
“The anti-gay group?” Bobby asked. He’d had run-ins with them a couple of times and hated it. “I had one approach me at the diving finals at the beginning of the month. The school superintendent talked to me.”
“Yes. Just… They’re trying to rid the town of anyone they don’t like. Doesn’t matter if you’re gay, lesbian, have purple hair, or a pet giraffe. They want to clean up the town.” He hooked his fingers in the air like quotes. “It’s garbage, but we’re working to change it.”
“There are lots of sports parents who don’t care. They know about me and haven’t treated me any differently. It’s been refreshing, actually.” Bobby widened his stance. “They’ve been very inclusive.”
“That’s great, but it only takes one or two die-hards to cause serious trouble.” Colin handed Bobby a flyer. “The big festival is this weekend. Anyone is welcome. There’ll be rides, games, fireworks and a concert. Please come. Bring the kids.”
“Sounds good, but my folks are taking Darce and Chris to the lake this weekend,” Bobby replied. “However, that doesn’t mean I can’t support the cause.” God knew he could use a night out. “I’ve still got tons of shit in boxes at the house, and I won’t get done unpacking this weekend, so yeah, count me in.”
“You’ll have fun.” Colin clapped Bobby on the shoulder. “I’m glad you’re back. I missed you.”
“Thanks. I missed home. Yeah, I had that falling out with Dad, but it’s getting better.” He winked. “See you this weekend or at the next meeting.”
“It’s a deal. You can meet Jordan and the rest of the guys.” Colin waved and headed across the room to his brother.
“Re-meet him,” Bobby mumbled. He waved then made his way out to the parking lot. The sun had already set, but the heat hadn’t dissipated. Before he reached his car, he shrugged into his T-shirt. He hated sleeping in humid evening air—unless he had a hot guy to share his bed. He sighed and climbed behind the wheel of his car. Who am I kidding? I’m not going to find anyone in Cedarwood.
He turned the key and the engine roared to life. He rolled the windows down, then headed out of the lot. He’d thought coming back to Cedarwood would be a smart idea. The notion had ended up being a mixed-bag result. Things were good because the schools were top-notch with great academic and athletic programs for the kids. The move was also beneficial because he was closer to his parents, which gave his children a better chance to get to know them. But, man, there are some big negatives. He hadn’t expected to run into so many former classmates or to have to deal with so much of his past. He hated running from things, but his high school years hadn’t been the greatest. He liked change and being free.
He turned onto the main drag. The streetlights threw odd shadows on the pavement as he passed the buildings. He remembered zipping up and down the road a hundred times during his senior year. He smiled and scrubbed his forehead with the back of his hand. He’d driven to clear his mind and to forget the way he’d felt about Damon Barnes. The soccer jock hadn’t noticed him, and he’d been too embarrassed to admit he was gay back then.
He sighed and headed north of town to his development. He’d had so many missed opportunities in life—missed connections with guys he’d liked, jobs he’d wanted and situations he’d have liked to experience. After Helene had left, he’d sworn he wasn’t going to have any more regrets.
Right now he regretted not having a hot fuck
in his bed. He needed someone to share his life with, even for just a couple of days, but his self-imposed rule kept most potential partners away. He refused to bring random guys home for sex. He scrubbed his face again, then pulled into his driveway. He’d seen a man around town but hadn’t made a move. What if the guy said no? Or what if he was turned off by a man with kids? What if he wasn’t even gay? He groaned. Time to stop thinking about sex and hot men. He was a dad and had to think about his children—not his dick.
He eased the car into the garage and shut off the engine. He hit the button to close the door, then left the vehicle. He thought about the guy he’d seen running at the metro park. If he was meant to find a lover in Cedarwood, then it would happen, but he doubted it. Fate had a certain way of kicking him in the teeth when it came to relationships.
He stopped in the middle of the dark garage. His thoughts turned to Helene. He’d believed they were all happy when he was with her. Well, no. They’d been fine. Not happy, just fine. He shook his head. He wasn’t fine, and they hadn’t been back then either. Sure, he was glad he had Darcy and Christopher, but he wished he’d been honest with himself from the start. As much as he’d come to dislike Helene, he knew down in his heart that she’d deserved better. She’d left him in a tough spot, but she hadn’t been the one for him and he hadn’t been himself with her.
He made his way over to the main door leading into the house. It was time to stop thinking about the past. He needed to be Dad now. He strode into the house and stepped around the boxes in the dining room. One day he’d have everything put where it belonged, but not tonight.
Chris sat on the couch and Darcy was stretched out beside him, but under a blanket. A bowl of half-eaten popcorn remained on the coffee table and sitcoms that were almost as old as Bobby played on the television.