Chapter One
Liam
“Nick! Nick! Nicky!” Liam Groves nearly had to shout into the phone to get his very best friend in the world to hear him.
“What?” Nick Valentine snapped back.
Liam blew out a breath. He had to remain calm. Only one of them could be dramatic at a time and it was obviously Nicky’s turn. “Everything is fine. I’m fine. I’ll see you in a few days.”
“I know you say you’re fine but are you really? Like really-really?”
Liam barked out a laugh. “Yes, I promise. I’ve already reached the city limits. I’ll be in my new home soon. The moving truck will be here tomorrow. Tonight, I’ll order some groceries to be delivered, take a walk on the beach, and read a book or something.”
“I’m supposed to be there to welcome you!” Nick exclaimed.
“It’s fine,” Liam stressed. It wasn’t Nicky’s fault that he had a big project coming up at work that he couldn’t tear himself away from. Nick was the boss after all and he had to set an example for the rest of his employees even if Nicky would rather be playing with Liam. Liam was prepared to get all moved in, and now that he would live in the same city as his bestie, they would totally spend more time together. Playdates would be happening.
“Liam!” Nicky screeched.
Liam had to pull the phone away from his ear. His bestie had some lungs on him. “I know you wanted to be there,” Liamreplied. “I just couldn’t wait to start my new life. I’ll see you in a few days. It will be just as amazing as we planned.”
Nicky sighed dramatically. Truthfully, he was always dramatic. Even more than Liam. Damn, Liam had missed his best friend. Phone calls and a few visits a year just weren’t enough.
“Fine.”
Liam chuckled. “Good. Now, get back to work. Finish that project. You are the boss. Start cracking the whip. Love you!”
“Love you too. See you soon.”
Liam disconnected the call before rolling down the window to take a deep breath. Salt water, the scent of sand, and fried food filled his nostrils. The cool breeze ruffled his hair, forcing Liam to push his blond locks from his eyes.
The ocean. Liam loved the ocean. And he’d finally purchased his dream house just blocks away from his oldest and dearest friend.
He'd worked hard for decades until Liam had finally left that damn draining corporate job to fulfill his real dream job. Who wouldn’t want to write gay romance books? It was the best life ever. The first book he published had felt like a fluke. It had been a pet project that Liam hadn’t even taken seriously. Just something Liam had done to get out of his head when numbers followed him into sleep. He’d not been made for being an accountant. His passion had always been with the written word. Either reading or writing.
Liam was living his dream now.
His first book had exploded beyond his wildest dream. It hadn’t been a fluke. People really liked reading about the Daddy and little relationships that Liam shared with the world. Liam was a bestseller, had actual fans, and his audience was loyal and always begging for more. Eight books in and Liam had created something special. At least in his opinion.
Now with the money in his back account from years of saving at the dreaded corporate job and the revenue from his books, Liam was going to live life the way he wanted. No more snow or freezing mornings. Hello paradise.
Reaching traffic, Liam slowed his SUV down.
There were people everywhere. Walking, biking, and even rollerblading along the sidewalk that led to the ocean. The ocean that would welcome him every morning. He sighed. This was what he’d been dreaming about for so long. Sure, at forty-five years old, Liam had hoped to be making this move with a lover, a partner, maybe even a Daddy. That wasn’t in the cards though.
He glanced at the passenger seat where his traveling buddy sat grooming himself. The gorgeous black cat, Hades, barely giving his attention to anything that was happening around them. Hades came by his name naturally. He could be evil, often ignored Liam and everyone else, unless he was hissing and spitting, but he made for a good sounding board.
“This is it, Hades,” Liam told his cat. “Our new home. New life. New everything!”
Hades didn’t even look in his direction. At least he hadn’t scratched Liam this trip. Hades did not enjoy long car rides, and this had been the longest they’d ever taken together.
“You are going to love it here. I already have a nice sunny spot for your tree condo picked out. You’re a beach housecat now.” Liam hoped that Hades would be happy in their new house. Liam hoped he would be happy. They had to be. This had to be a good decision.
No! He wasn’t going to start questioning himself again.
After speaking with a realtor via Zoom and having Nicky check out every house that caught Liam’s attention, he had finally found the perfect beach house. He even flew out one weekend just to check the place out for himself. The house was perfect. Liam had taken one step inside and known that was where he belonged.
Now with his SUV packed with Hades’s belongings, Liam’s laptop and office setup, and a suitcase, Liam had enough to get his new life started. The movers would bring in his furniture and boxes the next day, but Liam couldn’t hold off any longer, which was why he was a week early, causing his bestie more stress.
