Love Bytes says hello and welcome to author Ethan Stone 🙂
Confessions is a stand-alone novel but it’s a spin-off of my Flesh series and characters from those books make appearances in this book. Gabe and Drew, the main couple from Blood & Tears are probably the only couple from the Flesh series that I could see having a big wedding. However, I see their story as pretty much done and have no interest in writing a story just to show their wedding.
So I cheated a bit. I used this book to announce their engagement. It factors into Leif, a main character of Confessions, as well because it again reminds him how lonely he is. At the time he’s still convinced he’ll be alone forever. But I wouldn’t do that, would?
Colby was about to deal when Drew cleared his throat and said, “Before we start, Gabe and I have an announcement.” They both stood, huge grins spreading from ear to ear.
Cristian sighed. “Hurry up, kid.”
Gabe gave Cristian a fake scowl and snickered. Cristian tried to appear pissed but failed.
Drew sucked in a breath. “We’ve decided to make a considerable change in our lives. Yesterday I asked Gabe to marry me.”
“And I said yes!” Gabe said before anyone could react.
Cristian cried out, “Yes! It’s about time.”
Colby, Bailey, and I cheered and clapped. Everyone exchanged hugs. Gabe and Drew were obviously blissful, but what surprised me was how thrilled Cristian was. I’d never seen him so jovial. Didn’t know he could smile that bright.
Gabe grabbed Cristian before he sat. “Will you be my best man?”
Cristian yanked Gabe forward and gave him a huge bear hug.
“Is that a yes?”
Cristian laughed. “Hell yeah, I’ll be your best man. I’d be honored.”
We finally got to the game, but we continued to talk about their engagement.
“Who’s your best man going to be, Drew?” I asked.
“My brother Noah,” he replied. “He might be the only family member present.”
“Why is that?”
“Drew’s mom is….” Gabe pointed at his head and waggled his finger, making the crazy sign.
“She’s a religious nut,” Drew confirmed. “Several of my half siblings on her side are as well, with Noah being the exception. I don’t see my dad much. He doesn’t have an issue with the gay thing, just doesn’t care. I’m not close to my half brothers and sisters on his side.”
“Damn, sounds complicated.”
“That’s an understatement,” Drew commented and played his hand.
“Bailey, you’re invited, of course. Not sure if you’ll still be here or back in California by then. You can come too, Leif.”
They barely knew me, and they were inviting me to the wedding. These were decent people. I turned to Cristian. “I admit I’m surprised by your reaction to the news.”
He furrowed his brow. “Why the fuck is that? You think I don’t care about my friends?”
I waved a hand. “That isn’t what I meant, so calm down. I’ve never heard you say a positive word about marriage.”
“Just because it’s not my thing doesn’t mean I can’t be delighted for them. I got nothing against marriage, especially now that it’s legal everywhere, and I love my man to death, but it’s not for me. Colby knows how I feel.”
“And I don’t need a ring to prove it,” Colby added.
Watching the two couples obviously in love made me somber. I just didn’t believe it would happen for me. I didn’t know how to interact with men enough to meet or date or fuck. I truly believed I would never fall in love.
Blurb
A Reno PD Case File A serial killer known as the Confessor is kidnapping and torturing gay men, and Reno Police Department Evidence Technician Leif Carson is determined to catch him. His personal life isn’t any less stressful. Despite being a virgin and having zero experience with men, he can’t stop thinking about his best friend’s ex, Rafe Castillo. Rafe is suffering from PTSD, but that doesn’t stop Leif from wanting to be with him. Complete opposites, they’re an amazing fit once they do get together—until Rafe’s PTSD gets in the way and he walks away from the relationship before it has a chance to truly blossom. Even though he has intense feelings for the man, Leif has no choice but to let him go. When the Confessor kidnaps Rafe, Leif does everything possible to locate him before he’s murdered. Rafe’s near-death experience changes him profoundly, but the danger isn’t over yet. Leif and Rafe will have to face pure evil together if they’re going to last.
Ethan Stone
Romance on the Edge
Ethan Stone doesn’t write your typical boy meets boy stories. With a combination of love and suspense he makes his characters work hard for their HEAs. If they can survive what he puts them through, then they can survive anything. He enjoys Romance with an Edge.
Ethan has been reading mysteries and thrillers since he was young. He’s had a thing for guys in uniform for just as long. That may have influenced the stories he writes.
He’s a native Oregonian with two kids. One of whom has made him a grandfather three times over; even though he is way too young.
Readers can find Ethan online.
www.ethanjstone.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ethan.stone.54
Twitter: @ethanjstone
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/ethanjstone/
Tumblr: www.tumblr.com/blog/ethanstone
Email: ethanstone.nv@gmail.com
His books: http://www.ethanjstone.com/my-books