Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 37426 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 187(@200wpm)___ 150(@250wpm)___ 125(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37426 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 187(@200wpm)___ 150(@250wpm)___ 125(@300wpm)
“That’s the best part.” His father actually sounded giddy. He hadn’t known that was possible. “He already lives in Hope. He’s been there about as long as you.”
“He lives in Hope?” he repeated disbelievingly.
“Yes.”
“There’s a gay man in the community who’s living in Hope, Arizona?”
“Yes. I’m telling you, Seamus, I think your mother’s onto something. It’s fated.”
His parents could be eccentric, but this was a lot even for them. He half-believed someone was pulling a fast one on them.
“What’s his name?” he asked. “If he lives in Hope, I probably know him.”
“Dylan Johnston,” his father answered. “Do you recognize the name?”
He furrowed his brow in thought and then shook his head, even though his father couldn’t see him. “No. Never heard of him. Are you sure he’s in my Hope? Maybe there’s another town with the same name? Someplace on the East Coast?” That would make more sense.
“I’m absolutely certain. We met with his sister. She graduated from high school in your town. Dylan still lives in Arizona. Don’t worry. He’s perfect for you and we’ve handled the arrangement. You need to go to him right away, Seamus. He’s the one.”
“I, uh…” He had no idea what to say that wouldn’t devastate his father. “I have to go, Dad. The bar’s full. But I’ll call you tomorrow. Tell Mom I love her.”
“I will. She’s so relieved, Seamus. I can’t tell you how worried she’s been for you all these years.” He cleared his throat and then quietly said, “And so have I. Have a good night, son. We’ll talk tomorrow and plan the wedding. Congratulations.”
He hung up the phone and blindly reached for its base to set it down. What was he going to do now? Refusing to marry women who lived on the other side of the country was one thing. How was he going to get out of a marriage arrangement with someone local that his parents believed was fated? He was going to break their hearts.
“What the fuck was that?” Lucas asked.
“I honestly don’t know.” Completely bewildered, he shook his head and blinked, trying to get himself together.
“Did your parents actually find you a man to marry?”
Nodding, he said, “Looks that way.”
“Holy shit,” Lucas said.
“Yeah,” Seamus agreed.
“What are you going to do?”
“I honestly have no idea.”
“Maybe you should give it a shot,” Lucas said. “I never thought I’d be happy with one guy or that I’d leave LA and now look at me. Moving in with Jared was the best thing that ever happened to me, even if I originally came here against my will, kicking and screaming. I wouldn’t give up this life with him for anything.”
“I’m straight, Lucas. It isn’t the same situation.”
Lucas gave him his patented eye roll.
“If you’re straight, why would your parents arrange a marriage with a man for you?” DJ asked.
“It’s a long story, but the short version is, I took advice from the town troublemaker and lied to my parents so now I’m in a living hell.” He rubbed his hand over his beard again. “Serves me right. Fuck.”
“You don’t look good, Seamus,” Lucas pointed out.
“You think?” he snapped.
“Alright, alright, no need to get testy.” Lucas downed the rest of his martini and set his glass back on the bar. “Todd had to take off because his brother’s kid is sick or something so he needs to take over closing the grocery store. I’m going to go home. There are only a couple of other people here. Close early for the night and get your head on straight.” He paused. “Or not straight. That’s the better route in my opinion.”
He clutched the bar with both hands and dropped his chin to his chest.
“Sorry about this, DJ.” Lucas’s barstool slid against the floor as he stood. “The one night you come out and we’re all bailing. Want to walk out together? I can drop you off at your place on my way to the farm.”
“No worries.” DJ reached for Todd’s abandoned cider. “I’m going to finish Todd’s drink and then I’ll head out. No reason for it go to waste. I can walk home.”
“Night, DJ. See you next time, Seamus. Maybe by then, you’ll be able to introduce me to your husband.”
He held up his middle finger.
Lucas cackled as he walked to the door.
“Fuck my life,” Seamus said.
In a twist of luck, the other two people in the bar came up to close out their tabs. He checked them out quickly and then followed them to the door and flipped the sign and the lock. Lucas was right about closing early. He was a mess. No way was he going to be able to work for another four or five hours. He dropped his head against the glass door and sucked in deep breaths.
“Is there anything I can do to help?”
He swung around, the unexpected voice a reminder that he had one more customer in the bar.