by Long, W. S.
Dimas grabbed the brown bag left on the table, next to the door. Hunter then followed Dimas out of Dimas’ parent’s apartment. They both nodded to a passer-by, walking a golden retriever.
Hunter continued as they walked to the car. “I think the judge’s sentence was affected by our requests for leniency for him. They’ve got him segregated in prison. Ida says he is getting counseling on gender reassignment. Apparently, there’s a federal ruling that says that he can get hormones if he wants to transition. If that’s what he wants.”
“I didn’t know Lenny that well, but he’s lucky he has you. And Ida.”
“Dimas, you testified for leniency too.”
“I know.” Dimas hesitated. “And it was only because you asked me to. And well…I believed it was an accident.”
“Do you think we did the right thing? Turning him in?”
“Yes. He killed Carl. He didn’t mean to do it. But when Carl died, he tossed his clubs in the large pond, then tried to cover it up. You heard the judge at the sentencing. Sure, Lenny didn’t have any prior convictions, but his actions subsequent to what happened, the judge couldn’t ignore. But at least he got the lightest sentence possible, and in a few years, he’ll be out of prison.”
Hunter sighed. “Okay. I just feel bad. I don’t know why.”
“It’s because deep down inside, and you won’t admit it, Carl was an asshole. What Lenny did, was to react emotionally when he was confronted by Carl. We did what we could to make sure the judge took into account all of that.”
Hunter stepped inside the vehicle, while Dimas closed the door. He waited for Dimas to get inside the car before he continued. “I guess you’re right. There were no winners in this one.” Hunter put on his seatbelt.
“Well, at least I have good news!” Dimas smiled, lifting Hunter’s face so they could be almost eye-to-eye.
“What’s that?”
“There’s a condo for sale here in Lima. It’s in a nice area in Miraflores. It has a view of the Pacific. If you want to, we could live here part of the year like we’ve talked.”
“And live in Lake Nona the other parts?”
“Sure. Lake Nona is right by the Orlando airport. We’re about an hour away from the beach, and the Space Coast. Just minutes away from theme parks. Our neighbors, sort of, are Annika Sorenstam, and a few other pro golfers.”
“So part of the year in Peru, and the other, Orlando?”
“Yes, if that’s okay with you. I thought you liked the idea. Right? Or was that idle talk on the plane trip over?”
“Of course, I want to live here. I want to be with my husband.”
“And I want to be with the best caddy in the world.” Dimas laughed.
“Nice,” Hunter said, shaking his head. “Keep talking like that and you won’t get any later tonight.”
Dimas chortled some more. “You know I’m just joking.”
“About me being the best caddy in the world?”
“Oh boy, this is going to be long drive to the coast,” Dimas said.
“No, it won’t.” Hunter pecked Dimas’ cheek as Dimas started the car. “It’ll be a great day. With the man I love.”
“Same here. I love you Hunter Mullins.”
“I love you Dimas Kanashiro. Now, are we going to get there anytime soon? I’m already hungry. I’d hate to eat all these coconut-dusted caramel biscuits before we get there.”
“Babe, you’re always hungry.”
“I know,” Hunter said.
Dimas laughed. “When we get there, I want to read you some of the most romantic poems in the world written by Peru’s own, Pablo Neruda, and I want to read to you on the steps of his house, facing the Pacific.”
Hunter smiled. “You can read me anything. You can read me the menu from a diner and I’d never stop you.”
“That’s good to know.” Dimas chortled some more as he started the engine and then made their way down the street in the Renault.
Hunter sighed happily. They had their whole life ahead of them, and there was no rush to get to their destination. Hunter squeezed Dimas’ right hand after Dimas released the stick shift. “Do you remember the first time you called me your boyfriend?” Hunter asked.
“Yes. Why?”
Hunter leaned over and kissed Dimas on the cheek hard so that Dimas’ head almost hit the driver’s side window.
“Hey, I’m driving. We were late this morning because of you.”
“You’re not complaining about this morning are you?”
Dimas shook his head. “I would never complain making love on a foggy Lima morning. Never. Mi corazon.”
“Good, because I’ve got a lot more to give,” Hunter said as he peered out into the colorful streets of Lima.
In the past year, he had followed Dimas’ advice of following his heart more, and not overthinking things. And his heart was telling him that they would make many more beautiful memories here in the streets of Lima and Peru.
He felt it. He knew it. And Dimas knew it as well.
THE END
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ABOUT W.S. LONG
A military brat who entered the military himself, W.S. Long practices law in Florida, reads and writes male/male romance, and believes in happily-ever-afters. Married to a great husband, he enjoys theme parks, movies, geeky stuff, and traveling when not working or writing. For more information, visit wslong.tumblr.com.
ABOUT JMS BOOKS LLC
JMS Books LLC is a small queer press with competitive royalty rates publishing LGBT romance, erotic romance, and young adult fiction. Visit jms-books.com for our latest releases and submission guidelines!
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