Love You So Special
Page 15
His mother said, “Piano?”
“Yes, ma’am, I’m a musician.”
“Wow, that’s rad.” AB gave François’s shoulder a smack. “What do you play? Country? Pop?”
“Classical.” François smiled.
Artie said, “Hang on, AB.” He fished his phone from his pocket, searched YouTube, and handed the video to AB. Music poured from the phone.
AB took it with a quizzical look, then his eyes widened. “Holy shit, that’s you.”
“Yes.”
He looked up. “There’s, like, a million people listening to you.”
François smiled softly. “Well, it’s the Hollywood Bowl, so more like three or four thousand.”
“Mom, look.” AB handed the phone to their mom.
“Oh my God, François. You’re famous!” She hurried to their dad. “Look, Al.”
His dad stared at the phone with narrowed eyes. “That’s damned pretty music.”
François said, “I’ll look forward to playing for you all sometime soon.”
His mother’s eyes widened even further. “Really?”
“Yes. You can come to my mother’s house, where we have several pianos, and I’ll play. It’ll be fun.”
“Man. That’d be rad.” AB grabbed Artie’s phone back from their dad and plopped back down next to François. “When can we come?”
Artie took a bigger breath than his tight lungs wanted to hold. “The thing is, you guys, I need to tell you something.”
His mom had settled back in her chair. “Oh no. Bad news?”
“No.” He smiled at François. “We think it’s good news, but it’ll be, uh, news to you.”
François gave him a small encouraging nod.
He leaned forward so he didn’t have to stare in anyone’s eyes. “The thing is, François and I aren’t just friends. We’re a couple. I never told you before, but I’m gay.” He took a breath into the silence in the room. “I guess I never said anything because I never had anyone special enough to make me want to, uh, you know, upset you.” Another breath. “But now I do. I—uh, we hope you guys want to be a part of our lives, but if you don’t we, uh, we’ll respect that.”
His mom frowned, though her expression said confusion. His dad sat stoic. AB was the first to move. He turned to François almost accusingly. “You’re gay?”
“Yes. Yes, I am.”
His head snapped around to Artie. “You’re gay? My brother?”
“Yep.”
“How long have you been gay?”
“My whole life.” He smiled.
“You like guys, like that?”
“Yes. Just like you like girls, I guess.”
“How did it happen?”
François spoke softly. “Nobody knows why some people are gay. If I asked you why are you straight, could you answer?”
AB frowned.
His dad cleared his throat, and Artie cringed at the sound. How many years had he dreaded this moment? His dad said, “Some folks say the reason AB or anyone is straight’s because that’s what God and nature intend. That men and women would produce rug rats like you two so that humans go on.”
Artie nodded. “Yes, that’s what some say.” He opened his mouth to continue, but his dad held up a hand.
“But we’ve never given God or the Bible or what people say a lot of time around here, so I don’t think there’s much reason to do it now.” He inhaled, his big chest expanding. “I’ll admit, I’ve tossed my share of shit at homos, and sitting here realizing you’re one—makes me feel like crap.”
Heat flashed to Artie’s eyes, and he inhaled—
His father looked up. “I’m gonna do my best to shut up the other fuckers who say shit about guys like you two, because I’m gonna tell you, I don’t know you yet, François, but Artie’s one of the best people I know. I’m not sure if that’s because he’s gay or what, but anybody’s lucky to know him, and I’m proud he’s my son.”
Too much. Artie buried his face in his hand and cried.
AB snorted. “Yeah, he must be gay. I’ve never seen him do that before.”
Artie looked up and wiped the wet from his face. “Thank you, Dad.”
François smiled softly. “What about you, Melanie? How do you feel about this whole thing?”
Artie looked at her stunned face. She said, “So you’re gay, like a couple?”
François nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Are you going to get married?”
Artie’s eyes widened, but François said, “That could happen. Nobody’s asked anybody yet.” He grinned.
Her voice got more breathless. “And live happily ever after?”
François laughed. “Well, we certainly hope so.”
Artie cocked his head. “What are you saying, Mom?”
She flipped the book she’d been reading toward them. The two guys in a clinch stared back at them from the cover. “Don’t you realize all my favorite authors are Amy and Mary and ZAM and KC and Andrew? Oh my God, right here in my house, I have my very own gay romance!” She fell back in her chair laughing.
Artie got up and threw himself at her in a hug. “Yes, Mom. Yes you do.”
François said, smiling, “How about we all go out and I buy the steaks?”
Chapter Seventeen
FIVE MONTHS later, François wielded the tongs on the outdoor kitchen Artie had built between their house and Juliette’s. Artie hauled the marinated steaks, chicken, and salmon out to him on a tray. “All ready? Guests start coming soon.”
François leaned over and gave him a kiss. “Our very own housewarming. You excited?”
“Yeah. I am.” They were expecting Artie’s family, Don, a few friends of François’s and Juliette’s, including Helen Sanderson, whom Artie had met all those months ago at the Sanderson Hall, plus JT, Raoul, and the other guys, excepting Mal, who’d all managed to come around and be happy for him. “It’s going to be a strange group.”
“But a happy one, I think.”
“One way or another, it’ll be great.” Artie kissed François’s nose.
François gazed at the warming grill with a funny expression.
“What?”
“I wondered if we should give them something else to celebrate.”
“What?”
He reached in his jeans pocket, pulled out a box, and handed it to Artie.
What? Artie opened it, and he felt his eyes widen. Inside was a ring, all gold, with little fish carved around the circle, a few with sparkling gemstone eyes. “Oh my God.”
“Artie Haynes, will you marry me?”
“Sure. But this.” He held out the box. “This is way too special for me.”
“I had one just like it made for me.”
“Well, good, but—”
François pressed his lips to Artie’s “Shhh. We have our whole lives for me to convince you that there’s no more special man than you.”
Artie started to protest—then laughed and pulled François in for a huge kiss.
A shriek sounded from the house. “Did he say yes?”
Artie looked up, and his mom leaned out the window beside Juliette.
Juliette shouted, “Does he like the ring?”
Artie mock frowned. “How many people knew about this before me?”
“A few.” François giggled.
The two woman had disappeared, no doubt to run to the door and rush out to see the ring.
Artie laughed. “Okay, my love, let’s get this gay romance going.” And he went in for one more kiss.
More from Tara Lain
A Love You So Story
Craig Elson’s life has hit rock bottom. Even though he’s one of the best strategic planners around, a more confident guy takes credit for his work, and despite being a good-looking man, he suffers insults from the slimiest creep at the bar. Taking care of his beloved mom, who has Alzheimer’s, uses all his funds, leaving him in a plain, depressing car… and a plain, depressing life.
Unt
il he sees gorgeous grad student Jesse Randall and his T-shirt that reads “I Would Bottom You So Hard.” The message seeps into Craig’s soul, and he asks Jesse to teach him to top.
Jesse’s had his eye on the quiet hottie who comes into the coffee shop, and he’s more than eager to perfect his tutoring. He sets out to get Craig a new job, a new apartment, and a new life so far outside plain and depressing that it’s unrecognizable. The problem is, Craig loves his lessons—and his teacher—too much to want to graduate. How can Craig reach the top without losing his sassy bottom?
A Love You So Story
Ben Shane has it all… and he’d like to give some of it back. While he loves his job heading a foundation that funds worthy causes around the world, his engagement to one of America’s wealthiest men leaves him feeling more like a trophy wife than a valued partner. The first warning that his relationship might not be designed to last is his irresistible lust for Dusty Kincaid, the golden-haired, bright-eyed handyman for his company.
Though Dusty is odd for a twenty-three-year-old—no liquor, no sugar, and he can’t even drive—the more Ben gets to know Dusty, the more he admires him. But is Ben going to give up a guy who drives a Ferrari for one who takes the bus? He must be mad. Dusty knows he and Ben can never work. After all, Ben’s perfect… and Dusty isn’t. But Ben might surprise everyone with proof that he’s only mad in love.
Can a raw food enthusiast find love with a guy who bakes cupcakes?
When Micah Truveen’s devoted health-food customers start showing up with white flour, Micah wants to chew nails! To make his misery worse, he finds his yoga teacher boyfriend in bed with another guy the day before Valentine’s Day. Micah decides to drown his misery at a friend’s anti-Valentine’s Day orgiastic hookup party—and meets the beautiful Queen, a gorgeous cross-dresser who’s got Southern sugah in his mouth and the right equipment under the dress. But when the hookup turns serious, Micah has to compromise to protect Queen’s secrets from his beloved grandmother. With everything against them, can two hearts rise above the flour?
A Movie Magic Romance
Luca McGrath may be returning to Napa Valley, California, as a promising chef with dreams of starting his own restaurant and winery, but his heart still lives with the bad-boy son of a billionaire, James Armstrong. Luca spent his childhood playing games with the golden boy of California society, so blinded by James he barely noticed the dark, quiet lure of his conservative older brother, Dylan Armstrong.
But now Luca’s home, and his own powers of attraction are enough to make James question his dedicated heterosexuality and his promised marriage to a wealthy and powerful businesswoman. The obvious attraction between Luca and James spurs Dylan into action—but he’s fighting a huge secret. While Luca dreamed of James, Dylan dreamed of Luca. When Luca gets caught in the struggle between the brothers and gets accused of culinary espionage he’s ready to chuck the fairy tale—unable to even imagine Dylan’s power to make his dreams come true.
A Balls to the Wall Romance
A “pumped up” version of the Volley Balls story, twice as long as the original.
A double dose of alpha male might be better than one.
Despite just getting out of an abusive relationship with an asshole alpha, David Underwood’s wandering glance lands on two hot members of the Australian volleyball team on Laguna Beach and gets him harassed again. Still, when the delicious Gareth Marshall proves his interest by coming out to his team, David succumbs to his attraction. But Gareth’s volleyball partner, Edge, who’s equally hot, makes the lovers’ lives miserable.
For Gareth, a lifetime of hiding his orientation—and his attraction—from his best friend, Edge, as well as everyone else around him, adds up to hurt and frustration. David’s the first man to ever compete with Edge for Gareth’s passion. But Edge has secrets of his own, and David’s ex-lover will never be happy without David under his fist. With everything stacked against him, can a gay Laguna man find happiness with an alpha male–or two?
TARA LAIN writes the Beautiful Boys of Romance in LGBT romance novels that star her unique, charismatic heroes. Her best-selling novels have garnered awards for Best Series, Best Contemporary Romance, Best Erotic Romance, Best Ménage, Best LGBT Romance, and Best Gay Characters, and more. Readers often call her books “sweet,” even with all that hawt sex, because Tara believes in love and her books deliver on happily-ever-after. In her other job, Tara owns an advertising and public relations firm. Her love of creating book titles comes from years of manifesting ad headlines for everything from analytical instruments to semiconductors. She does workshops on both author promotion and writing craft. She lives with her soulmate husband and her soulmate dog (who’s a little jealous of all those cat pictures Tara posts on FB) in Ashland, Oregon. Passionate about diversity, justice, and new experiences, Tara says that on her tombstone, it will say “Yes!”
Email: tara@taralain.com
Website: www.taralain.com
Blog: www.taralain.com/blog
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By Tara Lain
Hearts and Flour
ALOYSIUS TALES
Spell Cat
Brush with Catastrophe
Cataclysmic Shift
BALLS TO THE WALL
Volley Balls
Fire Balls
Beach Balls
FAST Balls
High Balls
Snow Balls
Bleu Balls
Balls to the Wall – Volley Balls and Fire Balls Anthology
Balls to the Wall – Beach Balls and FAST Balls Anthology
Balls to the Wall – High Balls and Snow Balls Anthology
COWBOYS DON’T
Cowboys Don’t Come Out
Cowboys Don’t Ride Unicorns
DREAMSPUN BEYOND
#15 – Rome and Jules
DREAMSPUN DESIRES
#5 – Taylor Maid
LONG PASS CHRONICLES
Outing the Quarterback
Canning the Center
Tackling the Tight End
LOVE IN LAGUNA
Knight of Ocean Avenue
Knave of Broken Hearts
Prince of the Playhouse
Lord of a Thousand Steps
Fool of Main Beach
LOVE YOU SO
Love You So Hard
Love You So Madly
Love You So Special
A Love You So Anthology – Love You So Hard and Love You So Madly
MIDDLEMARK MYSTERIES
The Case of the Sexy Shakespearean
The Case of the Voracious Vintner
MOVIE MAGIC ROMANCES
Return of the Chauffeur’s Son
Love and Linguistics
PENNYMAKER TALES
Sinders and Ash
Driven Snow
Beauty, Inc.
Never
Sinders and Ash and Beauty, Inc. Anthology
TALES OF THE HARKER PACK
The Pack or the Panther
Wolf in Gucci Loafers
Winter’s Wolf
The Pack or the Panther &Wolf in Gucci Loafers Anthology
Published by DREAMSPINNER PRESS
www.dreamspinnerpress.com
Published by
DREAMSPINNER PRESS
5032 Capital Circle SW, Suite 2, PMB# 279, Tallahassee, FL 32305-7886 USA
www.dreamspinnerpress.com
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of author imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Love You So Sp
ecial
© 2018 Tara Lain.
Cover Art
© 2018 Reese Dante.
http://www.reesedante.com
Cover content is for illustrative purposes only and any person depicted on the cover is a model.
All rights reserved. This book is licensed to the original purchaser only. Duplication or distribution via any means is illegal and a violation of international copyright law, subject to criminal prosecution and upon conviction, fines, and/or imprisonment. Any eBook format cannot be legally loaned or given to others. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the Publisher, except where permitted by law. To request permission and all other inquiries, contact Dreamspinner Press, 5032 Capital Circle SW, Suite 2, PMB# 279, Tallahassee, FL 32305-7886, USA, or www.dreamspinnerpress.com.
Digital ISBN: 978-1-64080-961-1
Digital eBook published September 2018
v. 1.0
Printed in the United States of America