Page 78 of Declan
He smiled against my neck. “You’re not wrong.”
The future was unknown, but I knew I’d never forget him. He’d forever be the one face I saw at night, the one that haunted me. No matter who lay beside me in bed, he’d be the only person I ever truly desired.
It was selfish to tell him how I felt, though. Not when I couldn’t beoutfor him.
Kyler’s breathing slowed, and as I listened to the soft breaths he puffed out, mine did, too. I gently turned him on his side and drew him back to my chest. His heart beat against mine.
Before I fell asleep, I imagined what it would’ve been like had I never been placed in Mrs. Reese’s foster home.
How much would it have changed my perception about being gay? Casey and I’d been happy for a while, two young guys experiencing their first crush and something like love. Society had been less accepting back then, but we hadn’t cared. At fifteen, I’d been less of a chicken than I was at twenty-nine. My feelings for Casey had been real and exciting. But then it’d all been torn apart.
I couldn’t place all the blame on that bitch, though. Mrs. Reese had sent me down the path to self-loathing, but I’d been the one to keep myself there. And I’d gotten quite comfortable there, too.
***
Day five in Greece and I never wanted to leave. Over the past few days, we’d explored more of Mykonos. Visited the small villages, swam at Paradise Beach with all the party animals before going clubbing later that night, discovered new restaurants, and fucked so much I didn’t think I’d be able to walk afterward.
Kyler had even convinced me to go to a cave on the island. It hadn’t been too bad, surprisingly, but I hadn’t stayed long. He’d loved it, though, which was what mattered.
Earlier that day, we’d taken a boat trip to the small island of Delos. Just as expected, it’d been stunning. But the best part had been Kyler. He’d shown his nerd colors again as he’d talked about the mythology surrounding the island. He’d been impressed when I’d offered some knowledge of my own.
That evening, we were sitting on our private patio at the villa, watching the last remnants of daylight disappear from the sky.
We’d struck up conversation about the day, and two hours later, we were still out there talking. I didn’t remember ever talking to Kyler for so long before. We’d chatted a little here and there, but then it’d always led to sex or sleep.
As Kyler talked about his writing, my chest warmed at the enthusiasm in his gray eyes. He really loved to write, and it made me feel bad for not checking out his work yet.
“What’s your book called?” I asked.
“Arrows in a Grecian Sky,” he answered before his eyes bugged out. “Wait. Why?”
I grabbed my phone and moved it back and forth, teasing him.
“Oh my god, no.” Kyler put his face in his hands. “Just kill me now.”
“Stop being so dramatic.” I laughed and typed in the book title. The cover was of a battlefield with the color red standing out. His author photo was fucking adorable, too. I grinned when I saw he was wearing black-rimmed glasses in it. “Do you even wear glasses?”
“No.” His face got beet red. “It was Brysen’s idea. He said it’d make me look smart and worldly.”
“You’re too cute.” After downloading his book, I opened the reading app on my phone. He sucked in a breath, and I slapped a hand on his leg. “Dude, relax. I’m sure it’s awesome.”
“I’m gonna go grab another beer.” Kyler ruffled his light-brown waves and stood from the patio chair. He couldn’t get to the sliding door fast enough. “You want one?”
His shyness was endearing. He was trying to create any distraction possible just so he wouldn’t have to be in the same area as me when I read his work.
“Yeah, thanks.” I smirked at how dark his cheeks were. “I’ll wait to start reading until you get back.”
“You asshole,” he said, narrowing his eyes.
“I caught on to you, Agent Michaels.”
His answering grin before he went through the sliding glass door made my heart beat a little faster. When he came back outside, he handed me a bottle and took his seat.
“Go on then,” he said before taking a swig of beer.
“Calm yourself, Agent WhinyPants.”
I opened the book and started to read.
