Five Days and Counting...

Available 31st March 2016

Toby and Trey Fletcher

Riverside Series #4 and #5

The Boys Next Door just keep on coming...

I took a deep breath and stepped into the hallway,
“So I’ve got two tickets, a hotel booked for a fortnight

and no one to go with.” I pulled a face. It was all good so far...
“So take someone else.” Steve said.
Yes, I was coming to that... “Wanna come?” I knew damned well he couldn’t just book time off like that.
He pulled a face at me, “I can’t get the time off work – what about Jamie?” Shit! Hadn’t thought about Jamie; he’d been made redundant only a month back and he’d probably be absolutely stoked to go...
“He doesn’t fly, you know that.” I put on a huge sigh whilst high-fiving myself in my head that I’d pulled that out of the bag at the last nano-second.
“What about Shortcake?”
Bingo! I looked at him with a stupid look on my face – I really should have been an actor – this was an Oscar winning performance, “Madison?”
“Yeah – he’s never doing anything much.” Steve shrugged. I looked at him incredulously, that was a bit rich since he was busting his arse at uni – and I couldn’t see him letting him get away with that comment – Mads had more sass than a little... If he was around to listen of course. And that was a good point – where the hell was he? It was time to find out, “Well, I guess I could ask him.” I said doubtfully.
Steve nodded, a little grin tugging the corners of his mouth. He knew... he knew! “Hey – Madison?”
My heart started to thump. I was going to see him any second.
“Yeah?” I heard him shout from the lounge. He sounded completely disinterested. My confidence started to wane...

Steve rolled his eyes at me, “Come here a minute.”
He poked his head around the door of the lounge, looking really rather irritated that he was missing whatever it was he was watching. It sounded like ‘Open All Hours’ Really? Was he into that shit? “What’s up?” he asked looking directly at me even though it was Steve doing all the talking.
I grinned at him, feeling all of a sudden really awkward and shy. This was ridiculous – for years I’d been able to talk to him perfectly normally and then it hit me like a ton of bricks that I’d been in love with him since forever and now I couldn’t think of a damned thing to say...
I cleared my throat and tried to look confident and that I’d got my shit together. “Well, since my fiancé ditched me for an older and far less attractive model,” I couldn’t help it, I had to grin at his shocked face, “– I’ve kind of got a spare ticket for my honeymoon,” I took a deep breath and blurted it out, “– how do you fancy Alcudia for ten nights?” Please say yes, please....
“Are you joking?” he asked looking completely shell-shocked.
Wondering if I’d made the worst mistake of my life I shook my head and shrugged whilst still trying to look appealing, “No – I’ll be going on my own otherwise,” I could see that I was losing him; he didn’t want to come with me – oh God; I’d be a sad lonely bastard all on my own at this rate – or even worse, I’d look like I was with Jamie... “– we don’t have to spend time with each other twenty-four-seven or anything...”

He was nodding – that was a good sign... There was that smile I loved...
“Well – if you get a better offer in the meantime – take it – I’m sure I wouldn’t be your first choice,” How little he knew... “– but sure – I’d love a break!” He was smiling and looking really chuffed to be going on holiday – I wasn’t so sure he was all that chuffed that I’d be his holiday companion but I had ten days to break down his defences...
Steve snorted. “Your whole life is break!”
I was impressed with his fiery glare, “Have you any idea how hard it is to achieve the grades I got? I’m not one of your ‘let’s get pissed at every opportunity’ students you know – I work hard.”
They bickered between themselves for a couple of minutes and I was able to secretly admire him. I was really gonna miss him when he went abroad for six months...
He caught me slightly off guard as he turned to me and grinned, “Well, I guess I should go and get the cobwebs off my passport then.” He said before dashing off up the stairs. I heaved a sigh – partly out of relief that I’d got him to come with me – but mainly with disappointment that he’d gone so soon... 

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Brooklyn was getting married to his childhood sweetheart Sandy…

I had mixed feelings about it – Brooklyn was my brother’s best friend and I’d always had a bit of a crush on him – but he was three years older than me and therefore kind of out of my league – particularly with my brother breathing down his neck… Oh, and there was the small fact that he was also straight.

We’d always got on really well though – and there was that kiss in the garden on my brother’s eighteenth birthday… I’ll never forget that – it gave me hope that maybe he wasn’t as straight as he thought he was.

Anyway, of course I was invited – since my brother was to be the best man and I was, on the one hand, delighted to go – to share in the best day of his life – even if it was up there with the worst days of mine – Nana’s funeral… fluffy getting run over… Yes, I was in love with the groom; had been since I was thirteen and he was first brought round by my big brother after they met at college. This guy had been the man of my dreams since then and I knew I’d be in love with him forever – and he was marrying someone else… bummer huh?

* 

So, there I was – miserably counting down the days with a feeling of dread and a heavy heart. The wedding was now only six days away, I was in the town centre absently stirring my latte and staring out of the window across to New Look, and trying to decide between the two pairs of jeans I’d just been trying on in there when something caught my eye. It was a very loved-up couple snogging each other outside the shop. I was a little disgusted at the amount of tongue he was thrusting (yes – thrusting – there was really no other word for it) down her throat. Ew, I thought, seriously get a room… that’s so totally gross.

It was then that I noticed with a thrill of horror who she was. Holy Hell! Is that Sandy?

I immediately got my phone out and snapped a photo of them – in fact I snapped about twenty – just to be sure.

The only thing was now – what did I do with my evidence? If I went and told Brooklyn he’d certainly never forgive me for breaking his heart – okay – she’d still be out of the running, but that didn’t really leave any room for me – the fiancé outer….

I decided to call my brother instead.

His cheery voice came through the receiver loud and clear, “Hey Shortcake – what’s up?”

I was so stressed it didn’t even irritate me that he was calling me Shortcake, “I’m having a nervous breakdown.” I said breathlessly.

I knew he’d be rolling his eyes at my drama, “What’s happened – broke a nail?” He sniggered. Ever since I came out he’s been making stupid comments like that.

I decided to be the grown-up between the two of us and ignored his childish comment, “No – I’m having a coffee. I was trying to decide between two pairs of jeans and then there were these really great shoes…” The shoes really were great – I just wasn’t sure if I could afford those as well as the jeans…

I didn’t get far with my explanation before he was taking the mickey out of me again. He sucked in a breath over his teeth, “Wow – that’s a toughie.” He let out a snort of mirth at my expense.

“Hilarious,” I deadpanned, “And I was just staring off into space trying to figure out which pair would match my new cropped top when this couple spoiled my vision.”

“Look, Mads, it’ really nice to talk to you and everything, but where are you going with this?” he asked, beginning to sound slightly irritable, “I’m at work you know – some of us do you know.”

I sighed, I was gonna have to stop beating around the bush and get to the point, “It was some dude with an unfeasibly long tongue and Sandy.”

“Sandy?” That had gotten his attention…

“Yes, Sandy,” I said beginning to sound a little hysterical even to myself, “– and she was on the receiving end of the unfeasibly long tongue if you catch my drift.”

“She was kissing the guy?” he really didn’t believe me.

I could have screamed. “Well, duh.” I can’t help it, whenever Stevie and I get into a conversation it always manages to revert us to being about nine…

“Are you sure?” See, I told you he didn’t believe me…

“Do you want me to send you the pictures?” I asked sarcastically.

He paused momentarily and I knew he was thinking about what to do for the best. He surprised me with his next words, “Actually – yes – please do – we can’t have our boy marrying her if she’s seeing someone else… What the hell’s wrong with her? Why would she do that?”

I thought about his questions for longer than I should have done and then I answered him far more candidly than I should too. “Honestly? I have no idea – I sure wouldn’t…”

“No, you wouldn’t,” he said softly, “Send the pics over and I’ll work out what to do.”

I sent them all – it took a while.

He called me back after half an hour. “Oh, my God, dude,” he said, “It really is her.” He sounded absolutely stunned.

I rolled my eyes, “I know that.” Jeez, sometimes…

He paused, “I wasn’t sure if you’d been mistaken – you know; wishful thinking and all that?” I could tell he was grinning.

I took a deep breath and tried to fight the lump in my throat, “I want him to be happy – yes, I have strong feelings for him…” What was wrong with me today? Blurting out all my best-kept-secret-feelings to my brother? “But I wouldn’t make something up just to try to get him to like me better… I’m not that pathetic. I know it’s never gonna happen…”

“I never said you were pathetic, Shortcake,” he said kindly, “And he likes you well enough anyway…” he trailed off, making me wonder if he’d ever said anything about me – but again, that was just wishful thinking… “I guess he just got caught up with her somehow…”

I didn’t make any comment about what he said with regard to Brooklyn liking me. I knew he liked me, but that wasn’t really enough… “Please,” I groaned, trying to change the subject, “– my name isn’t Shortcake – and I’m not that short anymore anyway…”

He chuckled. “Sorry mate – you’ll always be Shortcake to me.”

I rolled my eyes. “Great – I’ll probably always be Shortcake to Brooklyn too.”

There was silence at his end. Finally he spoke. “Yeah, maybe,” was all he said.

AVAILABLE NOW FROM AMAZON FOR PRE-ORDERING; RELEASE DATE 6/6/2016

Time for a little holiday romance...?

Coming Soon...

Brooklyn was getting married to his childhood sweetheart Sandy…

I had mixed feelings about it – Brooklyn was my brother’s best friend and I’d always had a bit of a crush on him – but he was three years older than me and kind of out of my league – particularly with my brother breathing down his neck… Oh, and the small fact that he was straight.

We’d always got on really well though – and there was that kiss in the garden on my brother’s eighteenth birthday… I’ll never forget that – it gave me hope that maybe he wasn’t as straight as he thought he was.

Madison... Some Kind of Paradise... Coming soon...

Coming Soon....

Riverside... The Weddings... release date 1st July 2016

Sam... Distracted release date 1st August 2016

The Boys Next Door Series continues...

One year ago…

I blinked in the morning sun. Turning over I realised I was alone. I frowned slightly, so where the hell was Gabe?

I scrambled out of bed, keeping an ear out for sounds from the kitchen. We’d have to be careful again today – Dad and Georgina were coming back from their cruise and we’d have to go back to being ‘brothers’ again… something we’d gotten quite practiced at over the last year or so.

I grabbed my jeans off the floor where I’d discarded them in double-quick time the night before and padded down the hall towards the stairs, eager to find him and enjoy a last few minutes of freedom before they arrived home.

I made my way down the hall, which took me straight past his bedroom. His door was open. His bed was made. I frowned. That really wasn’t like him; Gabe was, aside from myself, the untidiest person I’d ever known…

“He’s gone.” Dad’s low timbre made me jump.

I whirled around. Dad was stood inside his and Georgina’s bedroom. His face was pale and he looked stressed, “Gone?” I asked in confusion, “Gone where?”

He shrugged, “Just gone – we got back late last night – well, early hours, you know…”

My eyes widened as I realised what that sentence meant, “Oh, God…” I whispered.

Dad shook his head, “What the hell were you guys thinking?”

I swallowed. It was time he knew the real me. “We love each other…” It sounded so pathetic, but it was true – we’d been secretly in love from almost the first time we’d been introduced…

Dad sighed, “Yeah, okay – I understand that you’re confused…”

I frowned at him, “Confused?” I scoffed, “I’m not confused about anything – and neither is Gabriel – we just want to be together.”

He nodded, “Well, that’s not about to happen any time soon, Dakota – Georgina flipped her lid when we found her son in your bed fast asleep, naked and wrapped around you. She had no idea that Gabe had those sorts of feelings.”

I rolled my eyes. Was it really that abhorrent to them? Did being straight count for more than being happy? And ‘those sorts of feelings’? What the hell was that all about? Couldn’t he say the word ‘gay’ anymore? “Well, you’d better call her and get them to come back so we can all discuss this properly.”

Dad gave me a pained look, “You don’t seem to understand, son – she’s gone – she’s left me because of this – and she’s taken Gabe with her.”

Dakota... Equal Measures... Coming Soon....

Here come the boys....

Available now from Amazon.co.uk, Smashwords, Barnes and Noble, Kobo and iBooks for pre-ordering. Release date: 31st March 2016