One mistake is all it takes to ruin the rest of someone's life. One stubborn best friend is all it takes to save it.
After a play scene goes bad, resulting in unexpected consequences, Reese Andrews is sure his dreams are over. Struggling with a harsh rejection from his parents and reeling from the life—altering news, Reese heads home to the one person he needs most.
Doug Hawks is excited to hear his best friend is coming to visit. When Reese shows up with all his belongings packed in his little car, Doug is both hopeful and confused. Is Reese coming home to stay…or leaving for good?
When Reese spills his news then runs, Doug takes on the challenge of convincing Reese he can still have—and deserves—a happily ever after.
General Release Date: 17th September 2012
The ringing of the telephone hit Reese Andrew's nerves like a tap on a live wire. With a curse, he reached for the wall cord and yanked it out of its socket, hearing the crack as the plastic connection snapped.
Didn't the health department have anything better to do? He'd almost strangled his doctor for adding his name to their list. Now he couldn't get any peace here. They had so many questions that he didn't want to answer. Didn't know how to answer.
Reese hated to give up his apartment—it was so close to campus—but he wouldn't need it now. The meds he'd started taking last week made it nearly impossible to get along for a whole day out of the house. And eventually someone would notice.
He needed to head back home. He needed Doug.
Reese dropped onto the soft couch he'd picked up at the local resale shop and let his head rest on the back. His heart ached at what he'd screwed up with just one stupid mistake. He was so tired—of being lonely, of hating himself.
He needed comfort, something familiar.
Like a perfect sketch, Doug appeared in Reese's thoughts. Curly blond hair, soft green eyes and muscles defined by years of working out. Every angle of Doug's rugged face was there to star in Reese's imagination and dreams.
He could feel Doug's favourite T—shirt bunching in his fingers as he lifted it over his head to expose the smooth skin of his friend's stomach and chest. Erect nipples would capture his attention just before he would lean in to suck one brown nub between his teeth. Sweat and heat would explode over his tongue as he licked from one to the other, not leaving an inch of skin untasted.
Reese moaned, pressing one hand over the bulge thickening behind his zipper. He flicked the button open and pulled down his fly, giving his erection over to the cool air in the apartment. He wrapped his hand around his cock and thumbed his slit, hissing at the pulse of energy that raced to his balls.
Slow rolling motions just under the head of his prick pulled him closer to the edge, as his mouth fell open and his back arched away from the sofa. He imagined running his mouth down the furry treasure trail that led to Doug's groin, imagined pressing his lips to the fat erection underneath too many layers of clothes. Reese could almost feel the tug of Doug's fingers in his hair, guiding his head to where Doug wanted his mouth...
Reese moaned as he imagined Doug giving him orders, telling him what to do, making decisions for them both. A low, keening noise broke from his throat as his release painted his chest with milky ropes of cum. He lay panting, dazed, with the force of his desire pounding in his ears.
Reese shut his eyes and tried to settle his breath. His oldest friend was his oldest secret. God, he couldn't remember a time when he hadn't loved Doug. He should have stayed in town like Doug had—gone to community college and settled down there. But Reese had wanted to be more than a small town nobody.
So he'd gone to the University of Michigan to get his engineering degree. Unfortunately he'd picked up the wrong guy at the club and found himself in serious shit for it. Once Doug found out, maybe they would still talk some, but Reese's dream of his friend ever being more than that was history. Now this was the only safe way of relieving himself.
Hi all! Let's see, a little about me. I am an Army brat, which lends to my imagination…and I am a wife & mother of two energetic little boys, which gives me my sense of humour. I started writing in high school for the newspaper and have written steadily since then for my own enjoyment. I have lived a little of everywhere thanks to the travel bug I inherited from my dad, but currently am push-pinned in southeast Michigan. A typical day is a little crazy but I always work in writing time and I love chatting with friends. Feel free to visit me at my website.
Reviewed by Hearts on Fire
Every once in a while you come across a short story that just wows you...The simple story line flowed like honey, all golden and warm yet with the sharp edge that Reese and Doug only had so much time...
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Reviewed by Joyfully Jay
I could sum up the review of Em Wood's Holding On in one sentence. Go buy the book. Yes, it is that good. Yes, it is that compelling. Yes, it is that absolutely beautifully sweet...Holding On...
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