GENRE: Gay Romance
LENGTH: 13,449 words
RATING:

Five years ago, Ignatius “Nate” Harrington left his unfulfilling life in California for the position of police chief in the small New England town of Storybrooke. Now at Christmas, his brother and friend are coming for a visit. Nate is pretty sure his brother just wants to convince him to come home. But Nate has a new life there and even a new guy he’s seeing. One he’s reluctant to label as his boyfriend just yet, Storybrooke native, Jackson Wedge.

Nate’s blindsided when his brother’s best friend, Danny, one of Nate’s ex-lovers who broke his heart before, has come along for the visit because he thinks Nate’s the one who got away. Nate’s mortified when Jackson witnesses him kissing Danny just before a tragic accident. Now Jackson’s in the hospital, Danny’s leaving, and the holidays are ruined. Except Nate finally knows just where he belongs and with which guy. Can he set things right in time for sleigh bells to ring in the season?

EXCERPT:

“Hey, Chief.”

Just the sound of Jackson’s voice warmed him. “Hi, counselor.”

“You out in this?” He saw Jackson’s silhouette in the window above the shop. Jackson also lived in an apartment up there. He was a lawyer, yeah, but he also ran the art store below. The Wedges were an old family in Storybrooke, with Wedge Way being named after them.

Jackson’s family had one of those fancy decorated mansions in Holiday Lane. And somehow, a couple of months ago he had hooked up with Jackson. They’d had a drink at a local tavern and soon ended up at this apartment. They’d seen each other a handful of other times since. And while they hadn’t exactly gotten to the point of calling each other exclusive boyfriends, Nate thought it might get to that point very soon. He would like it to get there. Maybe. But there was no doubt he had sort of put the idea on pause and he was still trying to figure out why.

“Gotta pick up the brother at the train station.” He hesitated. “And the friend.”

Nate had been vague about Daniel with Jackson. He figured there hadn’t really been a reason to disclose he’d previously had a thing for his brother’s friend and that it had contributed to him coming to Rhode Island. In reality nothing had happened between him and Danny but a few nights of sex, so why bother Jackson with it?

“That’s right. Almost forgot that was tonight.”

Nate sighed. “I’d rather be coming up there and having dinner with you.”

He meant it too. He loved Jonathan and looked forward to seeing his brother and friend, but he envisioned them making fun of Storybrooke and probably trying to talk him into moving back. He didn’t want to.

“I’m sure it’ll be nice seeing them,” Jackson said warmly. He had moved away from the window so Nate could no longer see him. “I’m tired anyway. Between a pretty decent crowd of holiday shoppers at the store and having to rush to court to get bail for Bill Palmer, it’s been an exhausting day.”

While Jackson didn’t approve of Bill’s ways, they had known each other all their lives, that counted for something in a place like this.

“How’s he doing?” Nate asked.

“He’s remorseful.”

“Maybe he ought to not beat Grace then.”

“I don’t disagree.”

Nate snorted. “I know. Grace has vowed to file for divorce as soon as the holidays are over.”

“If I was her, I wouldn’t wait.”

Nate could hear the rustle of papers. He didn’t know why he’d come here. He knew he probably didn’t have the time to see Jackson, yet he had wanted to.

“Okay, well.” He scrubbed a hand across his face. “I’ll guess I’ll leave you alone and head for the train station then.”

Jackson appeared at the window again. “That is you. Why don’t you come up for a few?”

“You said you were tired and --”

“I’ll make a little time. Come on up, Chief.”