Sometimes the best laid plans are meant to be thrown way off course.
Hunter planned his life very well. He’s got his position in the Air National Guard, the family he’s always wanted and a life most people would love to have. Except he’s not happy. His friends all know his truths, but them knowing about his sexuality and him admitting it are two different things. Thankfully Ryder—his best friend—has always got his back.
Ryder has loved Hunter since they were in school. He wants to have more than Hunter’s back—he wants everything. Forcing his Guardsman to come out as a gay man wasn’t on his agenda, but Ryder isn’t above a bit of gentle nudging.
Will the things Hunter can’t control be his undoing, or will he accept who he is as well as the love he’s craved all of his life?
Publisher's Note: This book has previously been published as part of the Aim High anthology by Pride Publishing.
General Release Date: 17th November 2015
“Home, sweet home,” Hunter murmured. He stared out of the bus window at the city of Bay Village passing by. An overwhelming wave of homesickness washed over him. He missed the slow pace of the town. Missed the silence, too. No bullets whizzing by his head, no worries about planes exploding. Just peace and quiet. Three-story store fronts reached to the heavens and the names of owners gone by decorated the brickwork. The used car lot glittered with metallic streamers and a hundred thousand twinkle lights. He sighed. The last year spent in Afghanistan had worn on him and made him realize what he really wanted in his future. At thirty-five he wasn’t too old for the Air National Guard, but at his time in life he wanted to settle down.
For good.
As the bus turned into the parking lot of the high school, the breath wrenched from Hunter’s throat. People crowded together with banners and lots of red, white and blue streamers. Seemed like everyone in the tiny Ohio town turned out for the homecoming. He scanned the group for the people he wanted to see. His heart lodged in his throat. As much as he wanted to see his girlfriend, Shelly, and his daughters, he longed for his best friend, Ryder Cookson.
He gritted his teeth. How fucked up was that? A girlfriend who knew damn well what he was, two little girls who lit up his life and a best friend he wanted to fuck. Christ. He should just come all the way out of the closet already. Not like everyone hadn’t figured him out. But living in the military under the fucking ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ rule screwed with his head. Keep your sexuality under the radar, even if you want to fuck your best friend senseless.
The bus jerked to a stop and the cheers rang out from the people in the lot. Names were shouted. Not his. Hunter massaged his temple. Hell, he didn’t even see Shelly among the people. She’d be there. Right? She’d always stood beside him. Thick, thin and everything else.
So had Ryder.
Hunter scooped his bag up from the seat. He slung the heavy strap over his shoulder and followed his fellow airmen down the center aisle of the bus. As each man descended the stairs, various family and friends raced to them. When Hunter strode off the bus, a couple of women from the air traffic control tower, where he worked when he wasn’t deployed, opened their arms to him. He hugged them, but continued to look for Shelly or Ryder. He opened his mouth to question his co-workers, when they disengaged from him.
“There’s my guy.”
Hunter knew that voice. Ryder. A shiver shot up his spine. He turned his attention in the direction of Ryder’s voice and drank in the details of his best friend. At five feet, seven inches tall, Ryder wasn’t the biggest guy, but his heart made up for his lack of physical stature. He embodied the computer geek, complete with shaggy blond hair in a perpetual straight-out-of-bed look. His T-shirt emblazoned with a comic book character stretched across his chest and defined each muscle of his torso.
Hunter’s cock thickened behind his zipper. His mouth watered. Ryder was the guy Hunter had always wanted to be. Ryder went for what he wanted. He tried everything at least once and always smiled. Nothing seemed to bother him.
Megan Slayer, aka Wendi Zwaduk, is a multi-published, award-winning author of more than one-hundred short stories and novels. She’s been writing since 2008 and published since 2009. Her stories range from the contemporary and paranormal to LGBTQ and BDSM themes. No matter what the length, her works are always hot, but with a lot of heart. She enjoys giving her characters a second chance at love, no matter what the form. She’s been the runner up in the Kink Category at Love Romances Café as well as nominated at the LRC for best author, best contemporary, best ménage and best anthology. Her books have made it to the bestseller lists on Amazon.com.
When she’s not writing, Megan spends time with her husband and son as well as three dogs and three cats. She enjoys art, music and racing, but football is her sport of choice.
Find out more about Megan on her website, and sign up for the newsletter here. You can also check out her Blog, Amazon Author Page, Bookbub and Instagram.
Reviewed by Wicked Reads
Hunter's return home isn't what he expected. His best friend welcomes him home, not his family. I loved what the author did with this one. It was sweet and sexy. It felt complete at the end. It flowe...
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Reviewed by The Blogger Girls
This was another OFY that did a nice job of showing how the military can be a boon and a burden. I liked the fact that Ryder was always himself and was never ashamed to ask for and take what he wante...
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Megan Slayer - Rainbow Book Reviews feature
Let's start with you telling us a little bit about yourself, Megan.
What would people be most surprised to learn about you?
I’m only 5’2” tall. I’m a shortie, or as I like to say, funsized.
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