Same Time Next Year by Eden Winters

Author:Eden Winters [Winters, Eden]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Tags: erotic MM, Romance MM
Amazon: B007SDE3TQ
Publisher: JMS Books LLC
Published: 2012-04-06T14:00:00+00:00

Seven Years Later

“Are you sure you want to be alone tonight?” Sympathetic

eyes studied Jerome while Shelby applied last minute touches to

her daughter’s angel costume, preparing for some trick-or-

treating. Becoming a single mom had put an end to her

Halloween partying.

“I’ll be all right,” he said, waving a hand in a shooing

motion. “Got myself a monster movie marathon planned.” He

held up several DVD cases to prove the point.

His sister still appeared doubtful. “You didn’t drive two

hundred miles to visit with my TV. Too bad Mom and Dad are out

of town.”

His face radiated mock horror. “How could I possible miss

my favorite niece acting like an angel for once?” The hand

resting in his jeans pocket toyed with a plain silver band that he

could never let Shelby see. She’d only deliver another lecture

about living in the past.

Said angel giggled and stuck her tongue out.

“She’s your only niece,” Shelby reminded him. Her eyes

darted back and forth between her daughter and Jerome. “Are

you sure you wouldn’t like to come along? I feel so bad leaving

you here. You could go hang out with your friends or something.

You used to look forward to Halloween before…” her voice

trailed off. “Sorry, that was callous of me.”

Jerome made a big production of rolling his eyes. “It’s

okay. Really. Just go already! I promise you, I’ll be fine!”

Besides, all his friends were married with children. The last thing

they needed was mopey old Jerome. They’d long since stopped

being supportive. Now they just wished he’d get over Greg and

move on. As if that could ever truly happen.

“If you’re absolutely sure.”

Thank heavens! Jerome shot to his feet, crossing the floor

in a few long strides. He kissed his sister on the forehead and

then bent to kiss his niece. “Have a nice time, Munchkin. Bring

back lots of candy.”

“I will, Uncle Jerry.” The six-year-old lifted chubby arms

15

around his neck, planting her lips against his cheek with a loud,

“Muwaahh!”

He watched from the door as they climbed into his sister’s

Jeep, Shelby looking back with worried eyes. Not that he could

blame her. No matter where he was living, he always returned to

Murphy around October thirty-first, usually staying at his parents’

place. And he always insisted on disappearing for some alone

time on Halloween night. Shelby had suggested counseling the

year the family had been gone and he’d come to town anyway to

stay at a motel, thinking his folks wouldn’t know. Unfortunately,

small towns kept no secrets. But Greg only came back one night

each year; Jerome wasn’t about to waste a single opportunity.

“No matter what you say, I don’t think you’re truly healed,”

Shelby had said. “It’s been years, Jerome, years! Yet you still

come here on the anniversary of Greg’s death. You need to

move on! Find a boyfriend.”

Jerome had been quick to reassure her, “I do have a

boyfriend, sis. I just don’t bring him around because it’s kind of a

long distance thing. We don’t get to see each other very often.”

Her frown softened. “Oh. But he makes you happy, right?

And it works for you?”

His smile was genuine. “Yes, it works for us.”

“Well, then…I’d still like to meet him sometime.” Just like

that, she’d quit worrying.

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