GENRE: Gay Spicy Romance
LENGTH: 65,853 words
RATING:

RN First Assistant Chris Bottoms enjoys being a bottom. Though abused by his stepfather as a boy and conditioned to enjoy sex only one particular way, he’s come to make the most of his life. And he enjoys bottoming to the hilt whenever and wherever he can.

As if colorectal cancer wasn’t enough of a trial, the subsequent botched surgery robs him of normal bodily functions, so no more prostate massage for Chris. In the middle of his medical drama, his best friend, Mickey O’Donovan, accepts a promotion that brings him to live in Jacksonville. Roommates in college, they’ve remained friends and occasional fuck buddies ever since. Chris’s crisis brings their relationship to a new level, though, and long-suppressed feelings are revealed.

Chris and Mickey settle down together and life is good, even though they can no longer indulge in their favorite sexual position. But Chris can’t seem to catch a break. When his past rears its head, Chris and Mickey must face a new challenge, together.

EXCERPT:
Note: may contain sexually explicit scenes of a homoerotic nature.

Chris was waiting at the security checkpoint in the airport Wednesday when Mickey came down the passageway, and they hugged like long-lost relatives.

“Let’s go to the house,” Chris said.

“Sounds good, but I need to eat first. I also need to retrieve a checked bag.”

“Then as soon as we have your bag, I’ll take you to one of my favorite places.”

“What are we waiting for?”

Chris drove straight to The Loop. Once they were on the deck with their food, Mickey said, “How are you, buddy ... really?”

“Hanging in there for the moment. Taking things one day at a time. Been to the tubs, trying to get it out of my system.”

“Did it work?”

“Of course not, but at least I tried.”

“Well, I’m here, now,” Mickey said, “and we’re going to get you through this.”

“I can’t wait to get you home.”

“Looking forward to it. Do you have to work tomorrow?”

“No. My boss has given me the rest of the week off. Barring an emergency need for my services, my time is your time until Monday morning when my surgery is scheduled.”

“Good.”

They finished their meal and Chris drove them to his house.

He parked Mabel in the garage and locked it, then led Mickey through the backdoor, into the house, and straight to the master bedroom. “This is really a neat little house,” Mickey said. “I think you got a great deal on the rent.”

“No argument there. Do you need to shower or anything?”

“You know me; I get off any airplane with an overpowering urge to bathe.”

“Go right ahead,” Chris said, pointing at the bathroom door.

“Are you going to join me?”

“Does a bear --?”

They took a long soapy shower together, and as they’d done in Norfolk, and more recently when Mickey had visited, they stood in front of the vanity mirror toweling themselves dry.

“You’ve kept those love handles at bay,” Chris said. “I’m impressed.”

“You shamed me into it with all that running, buddy, and I thank you for it.”

Without saying anything else, Chris took Mickey by the hand and led him to the bed.

Later, they carried glasses of wine out to the porch and settled in the swing.

“This is nice,” Mickey said.

“What is?”

“The swing, the porch ... being here with you.”

“Oh, God, Mickey, if you couldn’t have come down here to be with me, I don’t know what I would have done.”

“You’d have managed… you always do.”

“I suppose so, but having you here makes it so much easier -- and better.”

“How would you like to have me here full time?”

“Say what?”

“There’s an opening in the Jacksonville branch of my bank. As I’ve probably mentioned, it’s not a branch, it’s a regional headquarters. I’d still be a vice-president, but I’d be making a lot more money. That was why I flew down here the last time I saw you -- I was being interviewed. In fact, I can honestly say it was the longest interview I’ve ever had.”

“Then by all means, go for it.”

“That depends on you, Chris.”

“On me! What have I got to do with it?”

“You really don’t know, do you?”

“Know what?” Chris said.

“Chris, there’s no other way to say this, except to just say it. Don’t you realize that I’ve loved you since we first met all those years ago?”

“Then why haven’t you said something before now?”

“Because I knew you weren’t interested in settling down, and if I take the job in Jacksonville, that’s what I want to do. Settle down with you for good.”

“Oh, Mickey.” Chris began to cry.

“What’s the matter now?”

“Do you have any idea how long I’ve waited to hear you say those words?”

“No. How long?”

“I’ve been crazy about you almost since the day we met.”

“What are you saying, buddy?”

“Simply that I’ve always loved you.”

“I think we need to go back inside the house,” Mickey said.

“Why? It’s nice out here, isn’t it?”

“Of course, but it’s nicer in the bedroom.”

They slept a little late the next morning, then had a light breakfast. The first thing Chris did was to drive them to the office of the city health department.

“What are we doing here?” Mickey said.

“We’re going to get tested for HIV and ask them to expedite the results.”

“But what’s the rush?”

“Because, after my surgery, I’ll be wearing an ostomy bag, and my anus will have been sewn shut. My parting gift to you before I go under the knife will be one that I won’t be able to give you afterward.”

“Oh!”