Holding Hands

By B.L. Dayhoff

Hollis is done with hanging around the bar on Valentine’s Day. He’s going to stay in -- alone -- and watch some movies. At least, that’s the plan.

But his coworker’s half-brother’s cousin, better known as Ryan, is new in town. And although the lunch they shared was more levels of awkward than a house of cards, fate must want them to become friends, because on his way home after picking up his Valentine’s Day dinner, Hollis runs into Ryan again.

The nice thing to do is to invite him up for dinner -- who wants to be alone in a new city on Valentine’s Day, right? The night leads to a dinner offer in return, a night bowling, a dinner party. When Ryan is relaxed, he’s a lot of fun, but he’s also a lot of work, facing off panic and anxiety in waves. But that isn’t a problem, because friends are there for each other.

And they are, after all, friends. Just friends. Right?

• Language: English
• Publisher: JMS Books LLC
• Release date: May 4, 2019
• ISBN: 9781634869607

Book preview

Holding Hands

By B.L. Dayhoff

Published by JMS Books LLC

Visit jms-books.com for more information.

Copyright 2019 B.L. Dayhoff

ISBN 9781634869607

Cover Design: Written Ink Designs | written-ink.com

Image(s) used under a Standard Royalty-Free License.

All rights reserved.

WARNING: This book is not transferable. It is for your own personal use. If it is sold, shared, or given away, it is an infringement of the copyright of this work and violators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

No portion of this book may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher, with the exception of brief excerpts used for the purposes of review.

This book is for ADULT AUDIENCES ONLY. It may contain sexually explicit scenes and graphic language which might be considered offensive by some readers. Please store your files where they cannot be accessed by minors.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are solely the product of the author’s imagination and/or are used fictitiously, though reference may be made to actual historical events or existing locations. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Published in the United States of America.

* * * *

To JMD, for all your hugs.

* * * *

Holding Hands

By B.L. Dayhoff

February fourteenth had always been singles’ night at Jake’s.

Not to say that it wasn’t still. Jake knew how to pull in the dough, and singles’ night at a gay bar meant a lot of stereotypes drowning their sorrows in booze and booty. But it wasn’t the same now that Jake had Cole, and you could bet your right nut that Cole was lurking behind the bar keeping an eye on his man that night. If Jake was even working. His absence last year had spoken volumes.

At least for Hollis. He’d been friends with Jake—the kind of friends you become after hanging around a joint for far too many years chatting up the bartender. It wasn’t that he had feelings for the guy or anything—well, not anymore. Sure, when they were younger, he might have had a fantasy or two about the older man. Who wouldn’t? He was fucking gorgeous. Anyway, he was friends with Jake and was happy for him, even if he was sick of seeing him so damn happy.

That was just jealousy. Hollis was done with lurking around the bar waiting for his Cole to show up. So, the week before V-day when Jake handed him a flier, Hollis handed it right back. Not this year, man.

No? What’s up? Got a date?

How he wished he could say he did. Just not in the mood for the whole scene this year. Not that your dyed-red beer isn’t great, but… He shrugged. Guess I need a change of scenery that night.

Not losing you to a competitor, am I? Jake teased.

Yeah, I thought I’d try my luck at a straight bar. Hollis rolled his eyes. Jake’s was the only gay bar in this part of town. A few places were welcoming, and most of the rest were bigot central. Not a lot of competition unless you wanted to drive through wretched traffic to the opposite side of town—except on the dance floor, where the grinding, writhing bodies tried to find their perfect match. No, probably just stay home. Getting old, you know.

Jake bopped him on the head with the stack of fliers. Old my ass. But I won’t push. You know I hate to see regulars here on that night.

Want us all happy and paired off?

I do. Just an old matchmaker. Jake huffed. Smart-ass. You guys are my friends, can’t help wanting to see you happy.

Thanks. Hollis lingered a moment, wondering if he should take the flier—this year could be his lucky year—then shook his head and stood. I’m going to call it early tonight. See you around, Jake.

Night. Take it easy.

Hollis wrapped his blue-striped scarf around his neck, tucked it securely, and pulled on his peacoat. Only seven o’clock and already further below freezing than he wanted to think about. He made sure his gloves and hat were secure before he opened the door, fumbling the keys out of his pocket as the first gust of wintry wind snapped at his cheeks. He blinked away the burst of tears and lowered his head into the wind to walk down the block to his car.

Dark and cold. Just like his apartment—though hopefully that was warmer. At least when he turned the ignition, the car and heaters came to life, even if they initially blasted cold