Boyfriend Chronicles 02 - The Boyfriend Mandate (8 page)

“Yes,” Tyler said. “I want.”

Memphis’s grin returned. “Just give me a sec to recover, okay?”

~~~***~~~

Present-day, San Francisco

Memphis’s ex-wife hadn’t been a beard
.

Tyler’s mind felt stuck on the thought as he maneuvered the Jeep through downtown traffic while Memphis gazed out the passenger window. After escaping the site of the stunt, amazingly enough, the guy had remained silent for the last fifteen minutes of the drive to the city, occasionally massaging his temple. Clearly his head still hurt. Despite his obvious discomfort, Memphis jiggled his foot constantly. As if the risk of jostling his body were worth the release of pent-up energy.

Julissa hadn’t been a beard
.

Tyler had meant what he’d said. He was glad Memphis hadn’t felt pressured to live a lie. No one should. But how could Tyler be expected to discuss the issue rationally when he couldn’t decide how the news affected him?

Back in the day when he’d still wondered why Memphis had given up on their relationship, Tyler had managed to come up with plenty of possibilities. Possibilities such as Memphis had simply been bi-curious and, after test-driving a new lifestyle, had realized the way of life wasn’t a match. Or maybe he’d simply decided he didn’t want the added difficulties of living as a gay man. A bisexual label probably wouldn’t have been any easier—no doubt pure heterosexuals fit better in the testosterone-soaked world of a stuntman.

None of these options had left Tyler feeling particularly good. Ultimately, though, the reasons were irrelevant because Memphis had married Julissa. And Tyler had learned firsthand that it was hard being replaced by another.

Harder still when that new partner represented a rejection of your whole way of life.

Judas Priest.

He’d dealt with this years ago, so why give it a thought now?

But he knew why. Memphis had been the first person to totally accept Tyler’s sexuality. Their months together had helped him solidify who he was and accept
himself
. When Memphis had married a woman, Tyler couldn’t view the act as anything other than a betrayal, a slap in the face. A rejection of everything he’d been: homosexual and, according to the laws at the time, unable to marry. Short of extensive surgery, estrogen replacement therapy, and a pack of lies, he never could have given the man boobs, a vagina, or a so-called “normal” life.

But Memphis…

Tyler’s lips twitched in humor as he remembered the stuntman’s equal-opportunity boner comment to the reporter. He’d looked almost eager for the words to be plastered in the paper. And to hear he’d never tried to hide who he was, and the way he wore his sexuality so proudly now by irreverently thumbing his nose at anyone who took issue with him being bi, well…all of this only added to his appeal.

Tyler mentally let out a groan.

Being around Memphis was getting more and more complicated. And Tyler was ready for some peace and quiet and some time
alone
. All the soul searching was exhausting. His ex’s presence even more so.

Tyler
definitely
wanted to get Memphis settled in the guest bedroom before Noah returned home. With any luck, he could accomplish the task without losing his mind or the stuntman passing out.

After parking the Jeep, Tyler kept an eye on Memphis’s movements as they crossed the parking garage, pleased his gait was steady. But once inside the elevator, the man dropped his duffel bag to the floor and leaned his head back against the wall.

Tyler’s eyebrows drew together, and he pushed the button for their floor. “You okay?”

“Just a little lightheaded,” he said, closing his eyes and giving a dismissive shrug.

The gesture seemed forced, so Tyler positioned himself close by in case Memphis suddenly succumbed to the dizziness during their ascent. The scent of salt water and warm male filled the small compartment.

“Let me know if you need to throw up,” Tyler said.

“You’re standing so close,” he said, lids still shut. “You’ll definitely be the first to know if I puke.”

Unfortunately, the elevators in this building were notoriously slow, leaving Tyler too much time to study Memphis’s reflection in the mirrored wall. His face still looked a little pale, but all in all, his color had improved. Tyler also noticed the wet jeans still hugged the underwear model’s form. He wore the damp, tousled, just-been-blown-up look well, and awareness simmered in Tyler’s gut.

Why the hell had he brought him back here? Oh, yes, to make sure Memphis didn’t slip into a coma and die.

As if sensing Tyler was in a hurry to escape, the elevator slowed to a stop several floors below their intended destination. After a soft
ping
, the door opened, and a woman with gray hair entered, a Chihuahua sporting a pink bow nestled under one arm. The smartly dressed female, who appeared to be in her late sixties, glanced at the two of them and gave a small start.

Oh, no…

The stuntman opened his eyes and, with a light frown, studied the dog. And then he shot the owner a smile. Judging by the friendly grin, he was feeling well enough to realize she’d recognized the two of them.

The frown she sent in return was almost rude, and Memphis’s dimples slipped away. Two beats passed in strained silence.

“Don’t worry,” Memphis finally said dryly, “queer isn’t catching.”

Oh, God. Tyler recognized that look. It was the same one the man had worn with the reporter. Tyler watched the doors slide shut, leaving him no way out, and sensed a pending altercation.

“I’ve lived in San Francisco longer than you’ve been alive,” she said as she pushed the button for the top floor. “So I’m well aware of that.”

Memphis lifted a brow but didn’t say anything as she gazed at the two of them before going on.

“Is the tabloid article true?” She narrowed her eyes suspiciously at Memphis. “These days, people seem to toss the bisexual label around just for attention. I told my friends your story was just to gain publicity.”

Memphis reacted with an amused huff of annoyance and an aborted eye roll. “What is up with all the wild speculation?” He rubbed his head with his fingers before gesturing at Tyler. “Do I have to provide everyone with a little demonstration?”

Christ.

Heat shot through Tyler’s limbs, and the woman’s lids went higher. Was she shocked by Memphis’s response? Annoyed? Amused? A strained lull filled the elevator marked by the slow, pinging passage of each floor. And then the dawning realization hit Tyler. The woman didn’t look annoyed. In fact, a lewd gleam slowly appeared in her eyes.

No. Just…
no
.

Every day this week, Tyler had cursed the slow elevators in Noah’s building but never as vehemently as he did now. When another ding occurred, the doors slid open on Noah’s floor. Memphis pushed off from the wall, preparing to leave, and the woman actually seemed disappointed.

Memphis held the door open for Tyler and sent the woman a wink. “Maybe next time we’ll give you a show.”

“I live in the penthouse suite if you two think you can handle me,” she said.

Jesus Haploid Christ
.

Tyler just managed not to swallow his tongue. And, for the second time since coming back into Tyler’s life, Memphis went completely still. The proposition was almost,
almost,
worth the shocked look on Memphis’s face. Smothering a smile, Tyler picked up Memphis’s duffel bag and grabbed his arm, pulling him out of the elevator. The doors slid shut behind them.

“I was trying to offend her so she’d leave us alone,” Memphis said, still sounding stunned.

“I think your plan produced the opposite effect.”

“How was I supposed to know the woman would invite us to a three-way granny kink?” Memphis shuddered. “Does that even exist?”

Tyler fought the urge to laugh. “Do a Google image search and find out.”

Memphis grunted. “Right after I gouge out my eyeballs.”

They started down the hallway, and a faint barking sound drifted down the elevator shaft.

“Figures she’d have a little yappy dog,” Memphis muttered.

The tension in his voice was surprising.

Tyler stopped at the condo door and pulled out his key, forcing the smile from his face. “Are you telling me you have no problem with nearly getting yourself killed, but you’re afraid of small dogs?”

“No,” he said, sounding offended. “I just prefer the larger breeds.” With a slight frown, he went on, “One time I got bitten by a Chihuahua on the set.”

Memphis Haines, dodger of explosions, looked cute while trying to hide the fact that small dogs made him nervous. And, goddamn it, Tyler should not be thinking he was
cute
.

Tyler opened the door with a sense of relief. The peace and quiet and space away from Memphis was nearly at hand. Unfortunately, the moment they stepped into the foyer, Tyler heard three distinct voices coming from the kitchen, and his heart instantly slipped to his stomach.

Dealing with Memphis in front of Noah would have been challenging enough, but Dylan and Alec too…? All three of his friends would have an opinion about the stuntman’s presence.

Desperate to avoid
that
particular scene, Tyler gestured down the hallway, keeping his voice low. “First things first. Let’s go get that cut cleaned and bandaged.”

Memphis shot him a
hell no
look. “The salt water is making me itchy, and my clothes are fucking uncomfortably
wet
,” he said. “I’m showering first. So, unless you want to join me…”

The words sent a sizzle through Tyler’s body. His nervous system was growing fatigued, and, technically, the night hadn’t even gotten started yet. He briefly considered abandoning his vow to uphold the Hippocratic oath and dumping Memphis off at his hotel, alone.

Tyler quietly inhaled a breath and held out the duffel bag.

“Second door on the left is the guest room and bathroom. Help yourself to the shower,” he said in a low voice. With any luck, he could keep Memphis’s presence a secret until tomorrow, when Tyler felt more prepared. Better yet, forever would work really well. “You should lie down before you fall down. I’ll be there in a bit to take care of that cut.”

He didn’t wait around for Memphis to reply. Instead, he rounded the corner into the living room just as his business partner/ex-boyfriend, Dr. Alec Johnson, entered from the kitchen.

“Tyler.” Alec stopped short and tucked his chin-length dark hair behind his ears, clearly surprised to see him. “When did you get back?”

“Just now,” he said as he took a seat on the couch.

He hoped the man didn’t hear the distant sound of someone moving around the guest room and start asking questions. In truth, Noah posed a bigger problem, which was surprising considering Tyler and Alec had lived together for two years.

“I thought you three were going out to eat,” Tyler said.

“We are,” he replied as he sat down. “Noah wanted to try out his new cocktail recipe first.”

Tyler’s lips quirked, and they shared an amused look of understanding. If Memphis was his hardest ex to be around, Alec had to be the easiest.

They’d set out to start the Front Street Medical Clinic and moved in together before the clinic doors had even opened. Their breakup hadn’t been easy. But, although initially strained, they’d transitioned back to friendship seamlessly enough. Their commitment to their patients, Alec’s laid-back personality, and several frank discussions had helped pave the way. Alec’s new boyfriend, however…?

As if on cue, Dylan Booth entered from the kitchen. As usual, Tyler tensed at the sight of the brown-haired mechanic.

Dylan stared down at the hardback book in his hands, flipping through the pages. “What the hell
is
this?” he murmured as he plopped onto the love seat next to his boyfriend.

Alec appeared amused. “It’s a book.”

“I know that,” Dylan said with a small frown, which seemed to grow a bit bigger when he spied Tyler.

Great.

He shifted against the couch uneasily. Sure, they’d always kept their exchanges pleasant, but Dylan clearly preferred not having Tyler the Ex-Boyfriend around. Inevitably, a low-grade uneasiness crept into their every interaction.

Tyler forced a neutral expression as Dylan went on.

“Who names a book
What You Don’t Expect When You’re Expecting
?” Dylan asked.

The title came as a surprise, and Tyler glanced at Alec. He knew the couple had planned on searching for a surrogate. Had they found one?

“Noah gave Dylan a gift,” Alec explained, clearly trying not to laugh.

“Gift?” Dylan scoffed and shoved a hand through his hair, leaving it spiked on top. “More like a warning.”

In khakis and an Oxford shirt, Alec automatically placed a hand on his boyfriend’s grease-stained jeans, and Dylan instantly seemed to relax. It never ceased to amaze Tyler that Alec, the activist who’d tirelessly attended rallies in support of same-sex marriage, had found what he was looking for in the blunt-talking mechanic who rejected the societal institution of marriage.

“Listen to these chapter headings,” Dylan said, interrupting Tyler’s thoughts and reading from the book. “
Getting the baby to sleep: Only in your dreams—except you won’t be having any
.” Dylan flipped the pages forward. “
Face the fact early on: your teen is going to hate you
.” He frowned as he reached the end of the hardback, reading the last chapter title. “
The empty-nest syndrome: with any luck, you’ll get to experience it
.”

Tyler pressed his lips flat, subduing the smile. He couldn’t imagine Dylan dealing with a baby, much less a teen. But Alec loved Dylan. And when it came to Alec, the mechanic was clearly whipped. If Tyler sometimes felt a twinge of envy at the synergy the two had managed to achieve, he chose to ignore it.

With a grumpy expression, Dylan tossed the parody on child rearing onto the coffee table with a
thunk
.

Alec’s blue eyes crinkled in humor. “Noah’s just yanking your chain.”

Yanking chains was what the man did best, and he’d be all over Tyler if he knew Memphis was here. The faint sound of the shower continued. Christ, how long did it take the guy to get clean? Tyler cleared his throat and wondered how to get the two men to drag Noah off to dinner. Now, would be good.