Mine

Description

Mine – Mychael Black

Thirty-four years ago, Bret Whitfield made a huge mistake. Now he’s out and hoping to make amends with his estranged best friend Rune.

Rune Bailey has been in love with Bret since they were teens. When Bret walks into his bookstore, Rune’s world turns upside down – in more ways than one. An ex thinks Rune belongs to him and will stop at nothing to make it happen.

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EXCERPT:

“Are you sure this is what you want?”

Bret Whitfield raked a hand through his hair and sighed. “Yes? No? Hell, Crystal, I don’t know.”

Crystal smiled and took both his hands in hers, giving them a gentle squeeze. “You know I support you. I always will.”

“Thank you.”

“When was the last time you actually spoke to Rune, one on one?”

Bret grimaced. “The wedding.”

“My brother doesn’t do surprises well,” Crystal said. “Especially ones like this. Do you want me to call him?”

“No. I have to do this without him thinking you set me on the path. I just hope he will forgive me.”

Crystal let him go and nodded. “He will. My brother can be stubborn, but he loves you. I think, once you two sit down and hash this out, you’ll understand one another.”

“What’s there to understand?” Bret asked. “He professed his love to me, and I married his sister.”

Crystal chuckled. “Yeah, well, he also knows how your family is. We had the privilege of open-minded folks. You didn’t. Look, if he gives you hell, just call me.”

“Now you’re just playing matchmaker.”

“Like I tried to do many times,” Crystal pointed out.

“Just say it.”

“You’re an idiot, Bret.” She turned him around to face the door. “Now go before you chicken out. Again. Don’t come back without him.”

“Brat.”

Her laughter followed him out of the house he’d turned over to her in the divorce. For nearly thirty-four years, he’d tried to make it work. He loved Crystal, but she’d known all the time that his heart truly belonged to Rune Bailey, her twin brother.

Bret stood on the front porch and inhaled the cold December air. Right now, Rune would most likely be at work. Bret had never been much of a reader, preferring, instead to watch sports or play them in the yard. He still didn’t know how he and Rune had ever struck up a friendship all those years ago. In high school, they moved in vastly different circles. Hell, they still did.

A knock on the window startled him. He looked over at Crystal, who scowled and pointed toward his truck parked in the driveway. He flipped her off and heard her laughter even through the glass. He waved goodbye and left, nerves practically fried and his heart absolutely pounding. He’d tried to do this so many times since the wedding, and many years after, but he’d always chickened out. Of course, they’d seen one another many times—family get-togethers, parties, even a few reunions with Rune and Crystal’s family—but Rune had always kept his distance. Bret didn’t blame him one bit, either.

As he drove out of the suburbs and into the city itself, Bret figured this could play out in two ways: either he finally got the kiss he’d stupidly turned down so long ago, or Rune would curse him for eternity.

Bret put his money on a curse.