The Real Thing by Elizabeth Hollows
General Release Date: 1st February 2022
Word Count: 45,813
Book Length: SHORT NOVEL
Pages: 186
Genres:
CONTEMPORARY,EROTIC ROMANCE,FAKE RELATIONSHIPS,FRIENDS TO LOVERS,GAY,GLBTQI,MEN IN UNIFORM,VALENTINES
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Book Description
One soldier home from training. Two best friends secretly in love. A plan to fake a romantic Valentine’s weekend. Will it be happiness or heartbreak?
Chad Anderson is a proud soldier with a promising career. He has almost got the perfect life, but for one small snag. Chad has been holding a candle for his best friend since he was seventeen.
Gareth Jenkins lives with him, along with his rescue dog. It’s the perfect arrangement and almost as good as the real thing—but it isn’t the real thing.
To make matters worse, it’s Valentine’s Day, and Chad will be returning from training for the holiday. It would be the ideal time to confess—but it has been nearly ten years. It’s long past the time to say something.
But he isn’t the only one with a candle.
Gareth might be a confident hairdresser with a flirtatious manner and easy-to-love personality, but it doesn’t help him where it counts. Because Gareth’s first love is his sexy soldier best friend, and one of these days, Gareth is sure he’s going to ruin everything with an unwanted kiss.
And if things aren’t bad enough for both of them, Chad comes up with an idea that might spell the end for their secrets. Because, instead of spending Valentine’s alone, he suggests they spend it having the weekend they’ve always wanted.
To do it, they’ll fake being a romantic couple.
When what they want is playing out right in front of them, can both men keep their feelings contained?
Chad landed on the ground with a heavy thump, and Helga immediately pounced on him. He brought up an arm, avoiding her licking his face. She caught his wrist instead, coating it in slobber. He soon placed his hands on her head, keeping her from his face while ruffling her with affectionate but rough motions.
He then pushed her off him so that he could better sit up. They’d run laps around the backyard earlier, as well as running her through a series of commands, pleased that she actioned each of them without faltering. She was a damn good dog—intelligent, affectionate and loyal. She fitted in perfectly with the two of them.
A little too perfectly.
Some of Chad’s good humor disappeared just thinking about it. Helga seemed to notice as she became less boisterous and butted his hand almost inquisitively.
“Sorry, girl,” Chad murmured.
He didn’t like to think of when Helga would have a different home, but he knew it would be inevitable. She was Gareth’s dog, and eventually his friend would find a partner. There was no way he’d give her up when he moved out. Even if he offered, Chad knew he couldn’t accept. He was away with the army far too much to keep a dog full time.
You’re acting as if he’s dating someone. You know he’s single. He’s spending Valentine’s Day with you. There’s no reason to feel sorry for yourself.
Focusing back on Helga, he patted her with more enthusiasm. Her tail wagged as she obviously recognized his improved mood. He pushed to his feet and looked around the yard for another task. Helga was still too energetic. She’d never leave him and Gareth alone for dinner at this rate.
Going back to the house, he scanned the small, tiled space that their backdoor opened onto. It was protected by the guttering. They had a BBQ, an extensive collection of dog toys, assorted gardening tools and four chairs stacked on each other. The table that went with the chairs was glass and could be kept out in most weather, so they left it on the grass. Gareth also cleaned it obsessively. Glancing at the table, he remembered many fond evenings sitting there with Gareth. It beat any date he’d ever been on.
When he heard Helga whine, it dragged him from his memories. He selected a tennis ball and tossed it into the air. Her eyes followed it. He hurled it across the yard, and she took off like a shot. Chad chuckled.
The door to the house opened and he glanced over his shoulder. Gareth was peeking his head out. He looked Chad up and down, and Chad tried not to shift into a more flattering position.
“Recently showered and now you’re a mess again,” Gareth remarked.
Chad didn’t feel surprised, just disappointed. He’d known Gareth would never see him sexually. He took in grass stains on his clothes. He’d sweated a little, but the light fabric was nothing after heavy army fatigues.
“A change of clothes will fix it.”
He glanced back at his friend, only to catch Gareth’s gaze darting to his face. He didn’t know where his friend had been staring, but it almost seemed as if he’d been looking at his ass.
“You just like not having to wash your own clothes.”
“It is a nice perk of coming home.”
Gareth rolled his eyes. Chad was about to speak again when something hit his foot. His attention dragged from his friend. He found the tennis ball by his shoe. Helga was sitting in front of him, wagging her tail. Chad picked it up and threw it again. She rushed after it.
“Did you walk her while I was gone?” he asked.
“Every day,” Gareth insisted. “But she always gets like this when you come home.” The door shut, and Gareth padded out to join him. Chad noticed he’d pulled on shoes as well. “Whenever I vacuumed your room, she’d try to sneak inside to jump on your bed.”
“I guess she’ll be sleeping on mine tonight.”
“Probably,” Gareth agreed.
Chad glanced at him, hearing the disappointment. He knew that she usually slept at the foot of Gareth’s mattress. Gareth had sent him dozens of photos of the two of them while he was away. Chad had a whole folder dedicated to them. He knew if anyone got into his phone, they’d get the wrong impression about the two of them. Chad knew that their texts often looked more like they were lovers than roommates.
“I can lock her out?” Chad offered.
“And make her howl all night? Please. I like my sleep.”
We could share. All three of us piled together.
Chad had thought about it more than once, but never been game enough to suggest it. There had never been a reason to share with Gareth, and he wasn’t sure he wanted to facilitate the situation. Even if he didn’t wake up hard, he wouldn’t want to give him up once it was over.
Helga came back with the ball again, and he bent down, grabbing and throwing it in a new direction. From watching her, Chad could see she was already slowing down.
“Five more minutes?” Gareth guessed.
“Yeah,” he agreed. “I’ll take her for a run tomorrow too. You can stay in. You got the day off?”
“Yeah. Off for four days. Took a mini holiday.”
Chad smiled, happy to know he had some uninterrupted time with Gareth to look forward to.
“Maybe if we’re bored,” Gareth added, “we can hit up a party or something.”
Chad grimaced, his good mood draining at the idea. He didn’t want to spend another Valentine’s Day unable to hear his thoughts as music blared and drunk men and women tried to flirt with him. It would be even worse if he saw Gareth hanging off a man, trying to flirt his way into the stranger’s pants.
“Count me out if you do,” Chad said. “I’d rather stay home with Helga.”
“No last-minute Valentine miracles for you?”
Chad glanced at his friend. Gareth had a strange expression. He didn’t know how to puzzle it out. He was much better at body language than facial features.
“I’m not the one reading romance novels,” Chad replied.
Helga returned. But this time, Chad got the impression she was more tired than enthused. He gave her a pat instead.
“Good girl.”
He grabbed the ball and brought it back to the rest of her toys. Helga went to her water bowl and started drinking. Gareth still hadn’t moved. He’d crossed his arms and he was staring out across the yard.
“Gareth?” he called, growing concerned.
Gareth startled and looked back at him. He flashed a smile, but it didn’t seem as bright as normal.
“Lasagna should be ready. I’ve got beer too. Did you decide on inside or out?”
Chad watched his friend with narrowed eyes. Talking things out was more Gareth’s thing than his. He understood the benefits of getting things off one’s chest, but he preferred to wait it out until the other person was ready. Normally, Gareth could be counted on to express whatever he felt, sometimes, with no sugar-coating.
“Outside,” Chad said.
They normally only used the table on hot summer nights, overlooking their back yard and letting the breeze cool their bodies. Sometimes, on particularly hot days, they’d fill the blow-up swimming pool with water so Helga could splash around in it to cool down.
“Can you set up the table?”
“Sure,” he agreed.
Gareth went back inside. Chad watched him go. There was definitely something on his friend’s mind. He tried to think of what it could be as he unstacked two chairs and carried them over to the table. It was difficult to guess. He’d been away for over a month, and a lot could happen in that time. Gareth had seemed fine initially, but Chad knew appearances could be deceptive.
Placing the chairs, he made his way back to the house and entered the kitchen. Gareth was bent over, getting out the lasagna. Chad’s gaze immediately drew to Gareth’s curved spine and the shape of his ass. He hurriedly forced his attention away and went to the sink to wash his hands. Thankfully, the fragrant scent of lasagna distracted him. The bubbling cheese and crispy edges had his mouth watering.
“Can you get the bread rolls?” Gareth asked.
Chad quickly complied while Gareth pulled out plates and cutlery. It soon became a familiar act to step around each other and collect items. When Gareth grabbed the chopping board holding the lasagna, Chad opened the door for him. Helga had been standing near the door, but she scrambled backward as they started walking back and forth. She sat back and watched them. It took little over five minutes to get everything sorted, and they dropped onto the chairs with matching relieved sighs.
Helga padded over to lay underneath the table. Chad looked down, finding she had got her head on his foot, while Gareth got her tail and part of her hind legs. Chad grinned and glanced up at Gareth. His friend was already smiling.
“We’re tied for favoritism again.”
“I’m the afterthought,” Gareth disagreed. “You’re the one she looks at adoringly.”
Chad shook his head and opened his beer. “No pleasing you.”
“I can be pleased,” Gareth protested. “I’d be very pleased if I didn’t get the dog farts.”
Chad almost choked on his first sip. He glared at Gareth, who was grinning brightly and mischievously. Chad was glad to see that this grin looked more natural. He also held out his beer toward Chad.
“Welcome back,” he said softly.
Chad smiled and let their bottles clink. “Glad to be home.”
Their bottles lingered together, and their gazes remained locked. Chad wanted to lean across the space and kiss Gareth. He couldn’t remember wanting anything more. He even shifted in his seat, planning to close the distance and capture the mouth he’d been dreaming of for years—but Gareth glanced away.
Chad dropped harshly back to reality. He blinked and looked over the yard. He took a large swallow of his beer, unable to believe what he’d almost done. His body tingled with adrenaline, and his heart pounded.
That was too damn close. What the hell is wrong with you? All those Valentine Day plans flying around the base have messed with your head.
“This should be cool enough now.”
Gareth put down his beer and reached for the serving knife. He started slicing the lasagna. Chad leaned forward and grabbed the bread rolls. He cut two open, putting a healthy serving of butter on his own and layering Gareth’s until it was almost a sea of yellow. Gareth had also grabbed a prepacked green salad, and Chad opened it to put a third onto each of their plates. Chad used to have French dressing, but since Gareth had discovered and started making a lemon mustard vinaigrette, he’d been quickly converted. He applied his own as Gareth placed the lasagna on their plates. He passed over the vinaigrette and Gareth, predictably, added twice as much as Chad had.
When they finished serving, Chad dug into the lasagna. The flavor burst on his tongue, and he couldn’t help giving a small groan. Food at the base would never be amazing, but Gareth’s cooking could easily be in a restaurant. It was so damn good, and he was already eyeing the remaining lasagna.
Grabbing his bread roll, he had a bite, closing his eyes at the crisp, buttery flavor. He scooped up some of the sauce and groaned again at the fresh taste.
“God, Chad,” Gareth mumbled, “should I leave you alone with the lasagna?”
He glanced over at his friend. Gareth wasn’t looking at him. He was stabbing his greenery fiercely.
“Maybe,” he answered, “if I get to eat the rest.”
Gareth shoved a forkful of salad in his mouth. Chad frowned. He lowered his hand, which had been holding the half-eaten bread roll, until it was on his plate.
“Is something wrong, Gareth?” he questioned.
“Why would anything be wrong?”
He slashed a harsh line through the lasagna and roughly used his fork to stab it. Chad watched him warily. Gareth was usually the most easy-going and relaxed person. Seeing him wound up and short-fused was extremely out of character.
“Gareth,” he said, his voice growing stern. Gareth glanced at him. He looked wary, almost cornered. “What’s happened?”
Gareth barked a laugh. “Happened? Nothing’s happened, Chad.” He sighed loudly and muttered under his breath. “That’s the entire problem.”
Chad frowned, trying to puzzle out what he meant. Suddenly, it came to him.
Valentine’s Day. He was only just talking about wanting a party. He’s rarely been single or alone. It’s obviously upsetting him.
It was Chad’s turn to grimace.
Of course, it would frustrate him. I’m the one who wants to spend the romantic holiday with my best friend. No wonder he was throwing away those heart decorations with so much irritation.
Chad tried not to be hurt. He knew it wasn’t a reflection on him or their time together. It was just that Gareth wanted a lover. He wanted the romantic declarations and set-ups depicted in his romance novels.
Something none of his lovers have ever given to him.
The thought made something dangerous spark to life inside Chad’s mind. Because it was the most romantic day of the year, and they were both alone. Gareth wanted all the clichés that were common in novels. He had no one to give them to him—or so he thought.
Why couldn’t he give Gareth the Valentine’s he’d always wanted?
It would give him the chance to spoil his friend the way Gareth deserved—to treat him the way Chad had always wanted but had never been able to do. This was his chance, and Gareth need never know how much it meant to him.
Gareth was still eating his meal with obvious agitation, completely unaware of Chad’s epiphany.
Seeing his friend so frustrated, Chad’s resolve hardened. He didn’t know if Gareth would be happy to settle for a few romantic days with his best friend, but Chad wasn’t about to back out. He could always make it a joke and have Gareth laughing. It might also prompt him to explain exactly what was bothering him.
The plan was foolproof. All he’d have to do was prepare his heart for the days to come. Because if Gareth played along and let him act like they were really in love and sharing Valentine’s Day, it would make it that much harder to go back to normal when the fourteenth ended.
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Elizabeth Hollows
Elizabeth Hollows is an Australian writer of LGBT love stories specializing in homosexual or lesbian romance.
Her preferred genres are fantasy, science fiction and contemporary/modern.
She has been writing since she was twelve, but has spent the last few years writing romance stories and discovering a passion for LGBT romance.
When Elizabeth is not writing she embroiders, reads and plots her next novel. She is a fan of the winter months and always has a book in her handbag and a cup of tea nearby.
You can find Elizabeth at her website here
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