Weekend Boyfriend Read online

  Life is full of surprises, like a weekend trip to Cabo San Lucas. Before Joel Fleming can surprise his girlfriend, he discovers she’s stripped his house and bailed on the relationship. But maybe something good can come out of losing everything. Joel has three days and two nights in Mexico. Who better to take than his best friend, Asher Paton.

  But Asher has a few surprises of his own. He’d have thought Joel would’ve figured him out by now. Asher is gay, and his perfect boyfriend would be someone he likes enough to love, a best friend as a lover. The only problem is the best friend he wants is straight and just might be on the rebound. Maybe to the rest of the world, Joel appears to have life by the balls, but Asher knows his friend deserves better. That doesn’t mean Joel will want him as anything more than a Weekend Boyfriend.

  Weekend Boyfriend

  by

  KyAnn Waters

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

  Weekend Boyfriend

  COPYRIGHT 2012 by KyAnn Waters

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner without written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

  Contact Information: [email protected]

  Visit www.KyAnnWaters.com

  Publishing History

  First Edition, October 2012

  Published in the United States of America

  Please acknowledge the following Trademarks.

  Corona: Cerveceria Modelo, S.A. de C.V.

  Facebook: Facebook, Inc.

  Hobie Cat: Coast Catamaran Corp.

  Honda: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

  Lexus: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha TA Toyota Motor Corporation

  Chapter One

  After ten hours at the office, Joel Fleming was tired. All he wanted was a cold beer and a quiet night, but not the quiet that came from the silent treatment. Shelly’s car wasn’t in the drive. Shelly Mott. Sexy, beautiful…his girlfriend, and he used the term loosely, of two years. She’d said she’d be home, even seemed excited for him to get off work. Maybe he’d get a few minutes to himself before the usual routine. Although tonight might be different. Tonight, he had a peace offering.

  Joel rubbed his thumb over the envelope in his hand, entered his house and froze. The envelope fluttered to the floor. The banging of his heart made breathing difficult. After a quick inhale, he slowly released the breath. He took off his sunglasses. Stepping further into the room, he turned in a slow circle, and tried to make sense of the mess. His gut felt as if it plummeted to his feet for the hundredth time in thirty seconds. Thirty seconds was all it took to realize Shelly’s words had come true. One day shit’s going to hit the fan and you’ll be left wondering what the fuck happened?

  “What the fuck happened?”

  Joel turned to the open front door. “Hey.”

  Asher Paton, his best friend, held his motorcycle helmet in his left hand and ran his fingers through his slightly sweat-dampened hair with his right. His lips turned up in disgust. “Were you robbed?”

  Joel couldn’t help but laugh. Yeah, in one way or another he’d been totally ripped off. “She left.” There wasn’t another logical explanation for the state of home.

  “Who?” Asher stepped into the room and picked up a broken disk from Joel’s game system. At least she hadn’t broken all of them.

  “Shelly.” Joel moved farther into the room, almost afraid of what he’d find.

  “What? Where’d she go, and dude, where’s your stuff?”

  “I assume Shelly has it.” The living room, dining room and kitchen was a large open area. Joel stepped over trash and papers on the floor and went to the fridge. At least she hadn’t taken his beer. He grabbed one for himself and one for Asher. “She called me at work today. She seemed happy…almost giddy. It was good to hear because lately she’s barely spoken to me. She told me she had a surprise for me tonight.” Joel shook his head.

  Asher whistled. “Hell of a surprise.”

  “You have no idea. But you know, things have been rough for a while. I’d hoped she’d gotten sick of it. I know I have.” He laughed. “I guess she did too, but I’d hoped she’d be naked for makeup sex. Wishful thinking. Looks like the only thing she stripped was the house.” He pointed to the envelope he’d dropped by the door. “She should’ve stayed one more night. You know how Shelly loves a good surprise.”

  Asher picked it up. “She likes getting, not giving.”

  Joel didn’t need to be told that. He had to beg to get a blowjob.

  “I never thought she was right for you.”

  Neither did Joel. He had more in common with Asher than he did with Shelly. Shelly didn’t like staying in and Joel loved nothing more than hanging out with friends. Sparking up the barbeque in the backyard, grilling steaks, drinking beer and laughing; that was the perfect evening. Asher was just as laid back, but Shelly preferred an expensive night on the town. She wanted champagne and caviar. As much as he’d wanted to show her a good time, he just hadn’t been able to keep up the pretense. He couldn’t be what she wanted. He still didn’t know what he wanted.

  Suddenly, he wondered why in the hell she’d stayed as long as she had or why he had. Maybe it was more that she never left and he didn’t care enough to make her leave. They hadn’t had fun in a long time. Not together and certainly not in bed. “I don’t think we were even all that good together in bed.”

  Asher laughed. “I wouldn’t know. And I don’t want to.”

  “I told you about the fight last week.” Joel took another sip of beer as he picked through the papers she’d left on the counter next to her house key.

  “The one where she called you a self-righteous bastard?” He set his helmet on the counter.

  “Yeah, she called me that among other things.”

  “Prick, cheap, selfish—”

  “Yeah, yeah. Nothing I didn’t deserve, but I don’t need the entire list repeated.”

  “Don’t start. You aren’t any of those things. Maybe a control freak. I know you’re a hell of a lot better boyfriend than she was a girlfriend.” Asher opened the envelope and removed several pieces of paper and a brochure.

  “I can be an asshole.”

  “Whatever. Everybody has bad days.”

  Joel pointed the long neck of his beer toward the envelope. “That was my way of saying sorry.”

  “When a person cares about you, saying sorry should be enough.” Asher flipped open the brochure to the resort on the Mexican Riviera. “Fuck, I’ll be your boyfriend.”

  “We’d be perfect for each other except we’re not gay.”

  “You aren’t.”

  Joel snorted. “And you are?”

  He waved the brochure. “We’re talking Cabo, baby.”

  Joel laughed. “You must need the vacation more than I do. Three days and two nights in paradise. Cabo San Lucas. That was my surprise.” He splayed his hands wide. “This was mine.”

  “Jeez, this sucks.” Asher glanced around the empty open room. “Did she take everything?”

  Joel shrugged. “I just got home. I haven’t looked.”

  They took their beers and wandered through the three-bedroom house. It hadn’t been the house Shelly wanted, but they weren’t married—never planned to be. And since he paid the bills, he’d purchased something he liked. That argument hadn’t ended well, but she’d felt better when he’d told her to decorate the way she wanted. Evidently, when he told her buy what she liked, she’d made the huge assumption that all th
e furniture was then hers.

  “She had to be pissed.”

  “You think?” Joel stood at the threshold of his bedroom.

  “What did you do?”

  “Told her I wouldn’t pay for another boob job.” He wasn’t even a breast man, not really. More of an ass man. “I don’t know who she wanted to impress. I know it wasn’t me because I didn’t think she needed it.”

  “No, she’s a beautiful bit—”

  “No need to say it. I live with her.” He looked around the room. “Make that, I used to live with her.” But they had more issues than her high-maintenance needs and his indifference. She’d accused Joel of more than being an asshole. What Joel hadn’t told his best friend was that his last fight with Shelly had been about Asher. She didn’t like how much time Joel spent with Asher. As if Asher was competition. He gave a mental snort. Just because he preferred Asher’s company didn’t mean he wanted to fuck him.

  “She left your clothes.”

  “Yep.” Everything was off the hangers and lying in a massive pile on the closet floor. “I think I’ll crash at your place tonight.”

  “No problem.” Asher shook his head. “What a bitch.”

  * * *

  Asher took a deep breath to calm his racing heart. His legs felt weak as he strode down the walk and put on his helmet. Did he just out himself to the one guy he couldn’t have? The one guy he wanted. Was he gay? Fuck, when it came to Joel he was. Asher had definitely dated more women than men. But he didn’t fear his attraction to men either. He just hid it. At least from Joel.

  Why make their friendship uncomfortable? If Asher wasn’t attracted to Joel, his being bi wouldn’t be an issue. But he was attracted to Joel. He straddled his bike, stifling a mental groan as his jeans tightened to his cock. Yeah, he had a serious hard-on for Joel. He ached from balls to buttocks. Simmering beneath his secret desire was this sharp edge of deviousness just tempting Asher to make a move on Joel to see what would happen. He and Joel had gay friends, but Joel had never intimated he’d found any of them sexually appealing. But then neither had Asher. He was too busy secretly lusting after his best friend.

  He started his Honda Rebel and gave a nod to Joel as Joel tossed his duffel into the passenger seat of his Lexus CT. Even Joel’s geeky hybrid car turned Asher on. He remembered the day Joel purchased the car. Asher had tried to get him to buy a midnight blue sports car, but Joel totally got off on the specs of the hybrid. Never before had Asher been aroused by a car. He preferred his bike, but listening to Joel talk about miles per gallon and under the hood facts altered his perception of hot. The Lexus fit Joel.

  Ten minutes later, Asher drove into his assigned parking stall. He pulled far enough forward for Joel to park his hybrid behind.

  “Are you sure you can handle it,” Asher asked Joel as he climbed from his car.

  “Handle what?”

  Asher would love to tell him exactly what was on his mind. Joel, with his hot ride, tan Dockers cupping his ass, and a collared shirt hugging his torso just enough to know Joel had a flat stomach and plenty of lean, toned muscles.

  “Staying with me,” he said instead. Joel had a nice pad, expensive beer in the fridge and the funds to get exactly what he wanted out of life. He even had a cleaning service in once a week. “My place is small.” No privacy. No space. And no cleaning service.

  “No shit? This is the first time I’ve ever been in your closet of an apartment,” he said with a sarcastic tone.

  Asher didn’t know why he was freaking out. Joel had been to his place more times than he could possibly guess. Hell, he’d slept over on the hide-a-bed before. Never once had he made Asher feel like shit because he didn’t have the same level of resources.

  But today was different. Asher’s gut was in knots, his cock was hard and his sense had obviously left him. Careless slips of the tongue were going to out him. Was that really what he wanted? Yes, more than anything, but fuck, no. Just because Joel didn’t have a girlfriend anymore, didn’t mean he’d want to learn his best friend had it bad for him. So whether he wanted to or not, he would keep his secrets. Just friends.

  “Are you hungry?” he asked, unlocking the door.

  “I could eat.” Joel entered first and tossed his bag to the corner of the one bedroom apartment. “But I don’t feel much like going out. You fly, I’ll buy.” He plopped onto Asher’s sofa.

  “Sounds good to me.”

  Joel tossed him the keys to his Lexus. “Take my car.”

  “Uh.” He gave Joel a smirk. “I’m not sure I want to be seen in the geek machine. Might damage my reputation.”

  “Your reputation is steel belted. And I’m not sure that’s a good thing. If anything, it’ll improve your image.” He pulled a few bills from his wallet and held them out to Asher.

  Asher grabbed the money. “Texano burritos from Mara’s? I’ll pick up a six pack of Corona.”

  “Sounds good.”

  “Just wait, this weekend you’ll be having the real thing in Cabo.”

  Joel laughed. “I’d drown my sorrows, but I’m not upset, so I think that pretty much proves Shelly was right about me.”

  “Then it’s a good thing you have me.” Asher took a few steps towards the door.

  “I’m going to grab a shower while you’re gone.”

  Asher waved as he slipped out the door, carrying with him a perfect mental image of Joel in his shower, head tipped back, reddish brown hair slicked away from his face and water sluicing over his body. Damn, he needed to get a grip.

  Mara’s was a local family-owned hole in the wall Mexican restaurant. The tables were dinged and the chairs didn’t match, but the food was fantastic. About as authentic as he could get and not be in Mexico. God, if he could be in Mexico…with Joel. What would he do? He’d finally take that chance. He’d do anything and everything to show Joel that taking a friendship to a relationship wouldn’t be a hard fall for them. If they were in Mexico—if Joel hated him—at least he’d have a chance to make amends. They’d still have to get back home…where Joel could tell him to fuck off and never see him again.

  Asher parked in front and sauntered into the dimly lit dining area. Mara smiled and rushed from around the counter. “Asher,” she said with a heavy accent. “You sit and eat.” Maybe because he ate here several times a week, he felt comfortable around Mara and her family. She always had a big smile, an empty table for him and motherly advice.

  “I need two Texanos to go.”

  “Oh, yes, sit.” She pushed him into a chair.

  “Busy today?” He popped a tortilla chip, from the bowl in the center of the table, into his mouth. A few people lingered about, but there wasn’t a rush.

  “Yes, busy, but not too busy for you.” She hollered in Spanish to the kitchen. “Two Texanos? You have special date? Muy caliente?”

  “I wish. He’s hot, but he isn’t mine.” But he wasn’t Shelly’s anymore either. Asher’s pulse skipped a beat. Just the thought had him reeling with possibilities.

  “Ah.” She tapped his cheek. “You can do better.”

  Asher laughed. “We’re just friends.”

  “Oh, but he eats good food. You bring him in next time. Maybe you’ll be more than friends.”

  “Your burritos are the best, but I don’t think they’re going to change Joel.”

  “Joel? I know Joel. He’s a good boy. I thought he had a girlfriend.”

  “Not anymore.”

  “Good, he likes you. It shows. You bring him in and I’ll talk to him.” She winked and walked to the food pass-through.

  What did she mean Joel liked him? His gut did a tumble. Asher had watched for signs. Joel hadn’t given any.

  Maybe he was just as good at hiding his feelings as Asher had been at hiding his.

  Mara returned a few minutes later with the burritos. “I put extra spicy.” She smiled.

  Asher kissed her cheek and handed her a ten. “See you tomorrow.”

  “Bring your friend.” She laughed a
nd ambled back around the counter. “I make you a special romantic dinner. You’ll see. He won’t be able to resist my food or your charm.”

  What if Asher did put out all the charm, finally gave off the vibe he’d always hoped to get from Joel? If Asher quit dating women around Joel and finally let Joel know he dated men, too, at least Joel would know the truth. That would be a start.

  Asher stopped off at the grocery store then cruised back to his apartment. He had to admit the Lexus was a sweet ride. The leather seat cradled his ass and the pedals were precision art. He turned the corner and slid into another gear. Like silk on asphalt, the ride was smooth. He turned up the stereo and rolled his eyes. He hit the search button, looking for something better than talk radio. He turned up the volume on a song he liked, rolled down the window and draped his arm over the edge. If Joel saw him now, he’d laugh his ass off.

  Pulling into the stall, he rolled up the window and killed the engine. He slid from the car, grabbed their food and the beer. That’s when he noticed Joel standing at the open window of his apartment.

  Hair, damp from his shower, ruffled around his head. A pair of blue athletic shorts hung low on his lean hips and his chest was bare. Brown nipples, centered on defined pectorals, tightened into small flat discs. Asher swallowed hard. Their gazes met then a slow smile curled Joel’s full lips.

  “Admit it,” he said through the open window. “You like the car.”

  He liked the man. “It’s a decent drive, but I’ll take you out on my bike if you want to get off on a ride.” He hit the lock button on the key fob and walked to his apartment. Joel opened the door as he finished pulling on a T-shirt. Damn, he hadn’t looked at Joel nearly long enough, and now Joel was covered up.

  “I’ll go for a ride on your bike.”

  Asher paused in setting the food on the coffee table. “Really?”

  “Sure.”

  “Tonight?”

  Joel shrugged as he sat on the sofa, grabbed a beer and held his hand out for the car keys. “Bottle opener.” He uncapped his beer.