Fallout

By Meredith Russell

Can missing a fatal flight be the wake up call Harrison needs?

When Harrison Kelley is banned from getting on Flight HA1710, it seems to be the perfect ending to a crappy couple of days. Not only did he wreck a wedding, but he’s drunk way too much and been on the receiving end of the groom’s brother’s fists. Being escorted out of the airport by security was just the icing on the wedding cake.
Elijah Pettifer has lusted after Harrison from afar for years but Harrison never sees him as anything more than a friend. If he ever saw him at all. While attempting to defend what little honor Harrison has left, Elijah gets caught up in the wave of chaos surrounding his teenage crush. But missing his flight home because of Harrison’s mess might just be the luckiest thing to ever happen to him.
With a 24-hour ban imposed by the airport, and having only each other for company, the two men grow closer. But will the fate of the airplane they should have been on be the push Harrison needs to walk away from the toxic relationship of his past? And can Elijah make Harrison see exactly what he’s been missing out on because of it?

• Language: English
• Publisher: RJ Scott
• Release date: Jul 3, 2015
• ISBN: 9781785640162

Book preview

Fallout

Flight HA1710, book 4

Copyright ©2015 Meredith Russell

First Edition

Smashwords Edition

Cover design by Meredith Russell

Edited by Susan Kadlec

Published by Love Lane Books Limited

ISBN 978-1-78564-016-2

One of a series of books on how a single event can change lives forever.

Book 1 – Retrograde, RJ Scott

Book 2 – Velocity, Sara York

Book 3 – Flashbulb, Clare London

Book 4 – Fallout, Meredith Russell

Book 5 – Aviophobia, Serena Yates

Book 6 – Fracture, Amber Kell

Fallout

Can missing a fatal flight be the wake up call Harrison needs?

When Harrison Kelley is banned from getting on Flight HA1710, it seems to be the perfect ending to a crappy couple of days. Not only did he wreck a wedding, but he’s drunk way too much and been on the receiving end of the groom’s brother’s fists. Being escorted out of the airport by security was just the icing on the wedding cake.

Elijah Pettifer has lusted after Harrison from afar for years but Harrison never sees him as anything more than a friend. If he ever saw him at all. While attempting to defend what little honor Harrison has left, Elijah gets caught up in the wave of chaos surrounding his teenage crush. But missing his flight home because of Harrison’s mess might just be the luckiest thing to ever happen to him.

With a 24-hour ban imposed by the airport, and having only each other for company, the two men grow closer. But will the fate of the airplane they should have been on be the push Harrison needs to walk away from the toxic relationship of his past? And can Elijah make Harrison see exactly what he’s been missing out on because of it?

All Rights Reserved

This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission. This book cannot be copied in any format, sold, or otherwise transferred from your computer to another through upload to a file sharing peer to peer program, for free or for a fee. Such action is illegal and in violation of Copyright Law.

All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

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Dedication

For my family and friends.

Publisher note

Thank you from Love Lane, to a wonderful team of proofers Hanne, Jens Laursen-Schmidt, Catherine Lievens, Melissa Loop, Dawn Mayhew, Kathy Kemp, Rick Mulholland, AnnMarie O'Callaghan and BJ Williams. Hugs you for your hard work. :)

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 1

Two days before the crash

You’re drunk, Antony.

When Harrison Kelley opened his hotel room door, the last person he expected to see was Antony Sutton. But there he was, all drunk and sleepy, and as handsome as the day they’d met.

I love you. Antony’s blond hair was disheveled, his shirt collar open, and he stumbled as he edged forward.

Antony’s words cut at Harrison’s heart. He had wanted and waited to hear Antony utter the phrase for such a long time, and now Antony had said it, all Harrison wished was that he could turn back the clock and forget it ever happened.

That’s the drink talking. Harrison wasn’t a complete idiot. He knew Antony would never say anything like that if he was sober.

Antony shook his head. No. No. Swallowing hard, he sat on the bed. He rubbed his hands on his thighs. I’ve missed you.

This was ridiculous. The words sounded foreign coming from Antony’s mouth. Harrison wished he believed them.

Harrison folded his arms across his chest and went to sit next to Antony. This has to stop. We agreed it would stop.

I don’t want it to. Antony grabbed Harrison’s hand. He held it tightly. I know you don’t want that either.

Shaking his head, Harrison roughly pulled his hand away. Guilt tightened his chest. So, you’ll what? Leave your wife-to-be? Move back to Chicago?

From the look on Antony’s face, that wasn’t going to happen. I can’t do that.

Okay, Harrison said. It wasn’t okay, but they couldn’t carry on like this. Not anymore. He’d had just about enough of Antony deciding one way then the other. Twice now Harrison had backed down, letting Antony into his life again, and that was twice too many. Anger washed over him at the way Antony stared at him, and the damn pleading look in his eyes. Christ, Antony, get some sleep. You’re getting married tomorrow.

I don’t want to sleep.

Before Harrison could protest, Antony leaned over and kissed him, and for a split second Harrison lost himself in the comfort of old habits, forgetting everything he had just said. He curled his hand around the back of Antony’s neck and kissed him back.

What am I doing?

Stop, he snapped—he would not be that person.

For fourteen years, he and Antony had been doing this. Harrison had always bitterly joked he was like a boomerang. He always came back to Antony in the end. It didn’t matter how badly Antony treated him, he kept going back for more, convincing himself that one day Antony would see Harrison as a man to spend his life with and not just someone to fuck and leave. Things had changed, it wasn’t just himself Harrison was hurting by holding onto Antony and their twisted relationship. Antony was supposed to be getting married in the morning.

You’re marrying Caroline. You made your decision.

Antony’s gaze fell to Harrison’s mouth. We can still see each other. Hook up now and again. She doesn’t have to know.

What the hell?

They had slept together maybe five times since Antony took up his job in London. Hell, Harrison hadn’t even known Antony was dating his senior partner’s daughter until much later.

I will not be the person he wants me to be.

You didn’t have a problem with it at Christmas, Antony pointed out.

Regret pricked at his insides. I didn’t even know you were dating, let alone fucking engaged. If I’d known I wouldn’t have done it.

He didn’t know what it was about Antony that made him act like an idiot whenever the man was around. But at Christmas, there Antony had been, back from England to visit his family for the holidays. It wasn’t until February, when they had both attended a friend’s thirtieth birthday celebration, that he had met Caroline and also found out the couple were engaged to be married in June that same year. It was then he knew this thing between them had to stop. Antony might be bi, but he would never choose Harrison. He’d made his choice, and Harrison had become the ex–fuck buddy.

You’re getting married. Does that mean nothing to you?

Of course it does. I love her. But I want you, too. Then he added pathetically, and with a hiccup, She doesn’t meet all my needs. He even pasted his patented puppy-eyed look on his face, the one that usually broke Harrison’s resolve. I want you. You, Harrison.

Want, not love, not really. Harrison was just an object for Antony’s gratification.

You can’t have both. He took Antony’s cell phone from the pocket in his pants. Here. He held out the phone. He had reconciled being the ex, the one who attended the wedding as a friend, but he couldn’t deny that there was a small part of him that wanted Antony to choose him over Caroline. It’s easy, you have to decide.

And you’ll fuck me if I say yes to you?

Harrison shook his head. Then we take it slow and we make it a real relationship. Your choice. Me or her?

Antony took the phone and stared at the blank screen.

He won’t do it. He might do it. Do I really want him to do it? Harrison waited.

Saying nothing, Antony turned the cell phone face down and placed it on the bed.

Vindicated, but oddly disappointed, Harrison got to his feet. Fine. If Antony wasn’t going to end things with her, then Harrison was ending things with him, and for good this time. He felt like the world was crashing around his ears again, but also like maybe the weight of want might just be lifted from his shoulders.

Antony held out a hand. For a second there was a glimpse of confusion on Antony’s face, then his expression hardened. Harrison—

I’d like you to leave.

Antony remained sitting on the bed. He looked up at Harrison with a determined expression. His green eyes were alight with defiance. He evidently wasn’t leaving just because Harrison wanted him to.

I won't go. We could make this work.

You’re not listening. We’re done. Harrison was tired and also probably just as drunk as Antony. He didn’t have the energy to keep running in circles. I’m tired. I’m going to get ready for bed. I want you gone when I get back.

Grabbing his bag of toiletries, he headed into the bathroom, and locked the door behind him. He stood for a moment and listened for any sign Antony had left. He clicked his teeth together, frustrated by the turn of events. He had thought he would be able to handle seeing Antony, see him get married, even accept the man he had spent so long being there for had chosen a woman over him. But he was struggling. He thought doing the right thing would be easy. He could pat himself on the back for being a good guy, being a grown up. But doing the right thing was hard when it was clear Antony had no interest in doing the same. Don’t let yourself falter. He glanced at his reflection in the mirror. You’re stronger than this.

He turned on the faucet and held his hands under the cool water. Taking a calming breath, he pressed his chilled, wet hands to his cheeks and forehead. He didn’t know what he was going to do if Antony was still sitting there, waiting for him when he left the bathroom.

Was there anyone he could call to help him? What