A Magnetic Couple Dilemma

By Naaju Rorrete

Disappointed by politics and coverups, Father Esteban Hidalgo decides to leave the church, regardless of his conservative family tradition. The real trigger for his decision is losing his best friend, Mauricio, who died of AIDS, and whose last letter stirs forbidden desires, besides asking Esteban to look out for Mauricio’s widower, Javier Lozano.
Without Mauricio's love Javier collapses, and the only thing which keeps him going on is to fulfill Mauricio's last wish. Javier has to personally return twenty years of letters to Mauricio's pen pal and best friend, Esteban. Someone Javier hasn’t meet, but whose voice over the phone, helps Javier cope with his ignorant family that doesn’t even understand the difference between being HIV positive and having AIDS. The meeting between Javier and Esteban changes their lives, but standing between them is a lethal virus, Esteban family’ prejudice, an age gap, and the memories of the man—both once loved.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Naaju Rorrete
• Release date: Jul 27, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476436791

Naaju Rorrete

I live somewhere in the Northeastern United States and write gay fiction, because there are passions that don't fit in any closet. For the record, I must disclose that I shave every day before putting on the makeup. Just in case, we meet, and you notice the stubble under it.

Book preview

A MAGNETIC COUPLE DILEMMA

By

Naaju Rorrete

Copyright © 2012 by Naaju Rorrete

All rights reserved

Except for some quotes used in reviews, this book may not be reproduced in whole or in part by any means, today known or invented in the future, without written permission from the author.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

Thank you for downloading this free ebook. Although this is a free book, it remains the copyrighted property of the author, and may not be reproduced, copied and distributed for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy at Smashwords.com, where they can also discover other works by this author. Thank you for your support.

Cover Copyright © 2012 by Naaju Rorrete

The images depicted in the book cover are used under a non-exclusive license granted by Scarlett O'Hara Photographics S.L. All models were over the age of eighteen years at the time of the creation of such depictions. All appropriate records, including model release and photo ID's are kept in the office of Scarlett O'Hara S.L. Apt 29, 03580 Alfas Del Pi, Valencia, Spain.

This book is fiction. The characters, names, events and places, are the product of the author's imagination and utilized fictitiously, so any resemblance to actual persons, alive or deceased, or to any business, is entirely coincidental.

Acknowledgments

Thanks to Issa, whose impressive prompt urged me to write this story, one that had been lurking in my mind for a while, but I avoided writing until now, due to the emotional investing it meant to me. I'm glad I finally did it. The warmest thanks to Stacy Jo, who generously dedicated countless hours to copy-edit this book. I want to show my deep appreciation to Barb and Jackie for their excellent work proofreading this book. Also, lovingly thanks to Pat, who, besides being my cheerleader and always believed in me, provided professional insight about the HIV environment too.

My eternal gratitude to the staff of the Goodreads M/M Romance group, for holding the 2012 Love is Always Write event, where this book originated, as part of a collection of a hundred and fifty free M/M short stories, novellas and novels. Joining the group will allow you to read all those stories and much more, but mainly, you will find like-minded friends. Extra special thanks to Jen, who has been so understanding with me during the whole process of creating this book.

And last but not least, to my beloved Fernando, who died of AIDS in 2009. I will always remember you for being the kindest soul I've ever met, and my only regret is not having spent more time with you. This one is for you.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Epilogue

About The Author

Chapter 1

Esteban pulled the letter from his frock pocket for the countless time and skimmed over it until finding those paragraphs that, no matter how many occasions he read it, were hard to disregard and have affected his life forever.

It was as if Mauricio whispered the words into his ear. Esteban, if you are reading this, I'm already dead. It was my final wish that you receive this letter as soon as I passed away. In truth, I hoped to live many years, but this illness is treacherous and there is a trap every step of the way.

Shaking his head, Esteban grimaced. God! Mauricio was dead.

He had been dead for nearly a year, but Esteban couldn't accept his loss. It was so hard to imagine his wayward friend gone. This last letter came as a total surprise, because Esteban had visited him while Mauricio was still alive, and thought everything had been said between them. Their peace settled, no regrets, apparently. Even though Esteban had many, he acted as if there were none for his beloved friend's benefit. Now, there was not even a tomb to pay his respects, because Mauricio arranged to be cremated and his ashes scattered at sea.

Only his letters, especially this one, were his comfort and his torment.

Avoiding the sentimentality that overcame him every time he'd read the letter, he reread his favorite part. Don't feel sorry for me, I'm leaving at peace without any regrets, because I've lived a fulfilled life during these years. I experienced the greatest pleasures, happiness, and adventures. If I could turn back time, I would once again choose to live only twenty-two more years after leaving the seminary, rather than sixty as a priest. Yes, I'd rather die today knowing there was nothing I didn't experience once, than living until my nineties keeping those stupid vows.

Pausing, Esteban inhaled deeply before he kept reading, and then he skipped to the last part, which had worried him since the first time he'd read it. "My only concern is not having taken better care of Javier. I gave him this virus unaware of doing so, and even though he is still healthy, that could change overnight if he doesn't take care of himself.

Please, Esteban, look after him. He could lose his mind after my death, even try something terrible, because he doesn't know how to live without me. I taught him everything he knows. He'd left his overprotective family to move in with me, so he doesn't have any idea of how to live by himself. I already asked my brother to help you in being sure Javier is okay, but Diego has too many people under his responsibility. I know you are also busy, but this might be a case of life and death, and Javier is too young to die."

A shy knock on the door jolted Esteban, he'd barely had time to hide the letter before Sister Lupe entered the room.

Father, I know you said not to bother you, but your brother, the one that looks like a gangster, is outside.

Before Esteban could reply, said brother announced himself behind her. I heard that.

She jumped, and got closer to Esteban, who remained seated at his desk.

The six feet plus of Raul Hidalgo invaded his office, dressed in an expensive but tacky leather suit, even a humble girl like Lupe could see as such. She associated him with the kind of dark men she'd known in her native Mexico, maybe because Raul had the same arrogant expression and impertinent eyes.

Esteban told her, It's okay, Sister Lupe, I asked him to come over.

Raul looked down at her. I don't deal drugs, but if you switch careers, I could have a dancing pole ready for you.

When she scowled and lifted her head as if he couldn't scare her, he added, lowering his voice, I'd personally train you.

After that, she managed to hasten out of the room.

Raul, please!

What? She called me gangster and you said nothing.

If you stop dressing like that maybe she wouldn't call you names.

She would look great on a dancing pole, you know.

She's a nun, Raul, stop being nasty.

What have you done this time, Esteban?

Raul dropped the newspaper over the desk while citing, Archdiocese expels stellar attorney Father Hidalgo.

He paused, and when Esteban didn't say anything asked, What happened, man?

Esteban frowned, and picking up the paper, read some of the printed words.

It's only baloney. I've not been defrocked, and they know nothing about it.

Afterward, he tossed the paper inside the wastebasket, where he was putting the stuff he had cleared from his desk.

Well, I'm asking you, because you sure know, right?

Esteban met the gaze so