Complicating Roy

By Megan Slayer

FROM EXCITING AUTHOR OF LGBTQIA ROMANCE MEGAN SLAYER

Book two in the Love Me Do series

Complication doesn't always have to be a bad thing.

Duke Charles needs a break. He's tired of life on the road and never having a place to settle down. He decides to head to Norville for a rest in his childhood home. Once there, he realizes his life isn't quite so relaxed—he's not only inherited the house, but a cat to go with it. When his friend from high school sends him on a date, he finds out how complicated life can be...in a good way.

Roy Mars likes his life as an artist. He paints, sells work and takes his cat, Raphael, for walks through Norville. He channels his emotions into his art...until he goes on a date and meets Duke. His uncomplicated life gets thrown into chaos, not least because Duke has rabid fans who insist on knowing every detail of his life.

Can Roy handle a little complication in the form of Duke, or will he quit before he finds his forever?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pride Publishing
• Release date: Mar 22, 2022
• ISBN: 9781839431838

Megan Slayer

Megan Slayer, aka Wendi Zwaduk, is a multi-published, award-winning author of more than one-hundred short stories and novels. She’s been writing since 2008 and published since 2009. Her stories range from the contemporary and paranormal to LGBTQ and BDSM themes. No matter what the length, her works are always hot, but with a lot of heart. She enjoys giving her characters a second chance at love, no matter what the form. She’s been the runner up in the Kink Category at Love Romances Café as well as nominated at the LRC for best author, best contemporary, best ménage and best anthology. Her books have made it to the bestseller lists on Amazon.com. When she’s not writing, Megan spends time with her husband and son as well as three dogs and three cats. She enjoys art, music and racing, but football is her sport of choice.

Book preview

Pride Publishing books by Megan Slayer

Single Books

Constant

Permanent

Vaulting

Drive my Car

We Belong Together

Finding Michael

Rogue Royal

Must Love Dogs

The One I Want

You and Me Again

The Real Me

My Other Half

Cedarwood Pride

Home to Cedarwood

Ripples in Cedarwood

Scoring in Cedarwood

Rainbows over Cedarwood

Rocking Cedarwood

Cedarwood Manny

Together in Cedarwood

Doc Cedarwood

Finding Forever in Cedarwood

Silver Fox in Cedarwood

Cedarwood Cowboy

Christmas in Cedarwood

Second Chances in Cedarwood

Starting Over in Cedarwood

Love Me Do

Loving Summer Rain

Anthologies

Out of Bounds: Crossing the Line

Out of Bounds: Making the Play

Aim High: Lifetime Hitch

Brothers in Arms: One Night with You

Rules of Summer: Summer Stock

Collections

What’s his Passion?: Wild Card

Love’s Bloom: Love Next Door

Sun, Sea and…: Sun, Sea and Summer Songs

Love Me Do

COMPLICATING ROY

MEGAN SLAYER

Complicating Roy

ISBN # 978-1-83943-183-8

©Copyright Megan Slayer 2022

Cover Art by Fiona Jayde ©Copyright March 2022

Interior text design by Claire Siemaszkiewicz

Pride Publishing

This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Pride Publishing.

Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Pride Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.

The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

Published in 2022 by Pride Publishing, United Kingdom.

No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the authors’ rights. Purchase only authorised copies.

Pride Publishing is an imprint of Totally Entwined Group Limited.

If you purchased this book without a cover you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as unsold and destroyed to the publisher and neither the author nor the publisher has received any payment for this stripped book.

Book two in the Love Me Do series

Complication doesn’t always have to be a bad thing.

Duke Charles needs a break. He’s tired of life on the road and never having a place to settle down. He decides to head to Norville for a rest in his childhood home. Once there, he realizes his life isn’t quite so relaxed—he’s not only inherited the house, but a cat to go with it. When his friend from high school sends him on a date, he finds out how complicated life can be…in a good way.

Roy Mars likes his life as an artist. He paints, sells work and takes his cat, Raphael, for walks through Norville. He channels his emotions into his art…until he goes on a date and meets Duke. His uncomplicated life gets thrown into chaos, not least because Duke has rabid fans who insist on knowing every detail of his life.

Can Roy handle a little complication in the form of Duke, or will he quit before he finds his forever?

Dedication

For my editor.

For JPZ

For TPZ

For the Lucky Ducks

Chapter One

Art is for everyone, Roy murmured. He added a few more strokes to his painting, then stepped back to admire the piece. He loved creating art, but hated special commissions. As far as he was concerned, art should be creative and allowed to flow, not dictated according to a special plan—especially without his input. He’d been given the project and told what to do. Don’t deviate, just paint what the mayor wants.

This piece would drive him to drinking. He’d been commissioned to paint a bold, abstract piece that still featured faces for the wall behind the mayor of Norville’s desk. It should be a snapshot of the town.

Roy groaned. He didn’t think the painting, under the direction of the mayor, looked anything like a cross-section of Norville. It was too clean and orderly…and boring. He’d added all the elements desired and none of his personality.

He glanced back at the mayor. If Floyd Gatlin liked the work, he could be done with it. If not, he’d have to keep working until Floyd was happy. His own paintings, his Depressions series, could wait.

Well? Roy asked. What do you think?

Floyd tapped his chin. It’s colorful. He stepped back. It’s got action, too.

I tried to follow your directions exactly. Roy folded his arms. It’s quite vibrant, like you wanted.

Vibrant, but not gay. Floyd nodded. I’m tired of seeing so much gayness in town. We needed to get the movie theater razed or turned back into a theater.

Roy didn’t see the issue with the hairdressing salon that the former cinema how housed, or the amount of gayness in Norville. The people of the town liked color and to be unique. That wasn’t bad. You don’t like Dye Hard Style? Roy frowned. James is a great stylist. He cuts my hair and I’ve never been done wrong.

Uh-huh. Floyd made a sound that reminded Roy of a grunt mixed with a groan. Why don’t you try Cutting Up? They’re better.

He’d seen the new salon in the strip mall at the edge of town. Where James was flamboyant and fun, Cutting Up was much more conservative. He’d bet every Cutting Up across the state looked exactly the same. James is a friend of mine, too. I support my friends.

Well, to each their own, but I’d like for him to move outside of the Norville limits. Floyd waved his hand. I’ll take it. Send it over for framing. We have a plan for displaying it.

Sure. He didn’t frame his works and preferred the edge of the canvas. I’ll have it over in a day or two.

Perfect. Floyd faced him. You know, I like working with you. You don’t act gay, don’t shove it in my face, and don’t expect me to be understanding. You accept me and I can be myself.

Roy seethed. How rotten! He couldn’t keep his tongue. Mayor Gatlin, may I speak freely? He had no idea how this man had gotten elected, but he didn’t deserve the role.

Sure. Floyd clapped him on the shoulder. We’re friends here.

Jesus. I create work for you, that’s for sure. The thing is, I’m gay. I might not be as flamboyant as James, but it doesn’t make me any less homosexual. I am gay. Also, I don’t appreciate you talking about James like he’s a scourge. I might not throw my being gay in your face, but I don’t appreciate your saying I don’t expect you to be understanding. You should be a representative of the entire town, not just one section and not just those who voted for you. You can be voted out of office, you know.

Did you vote for me? Floyd narrowed his eyes. You didn’t, did you?

My vote is private, but suffice it to say I don’t agree with your principles. Never have. He chucked his paintbrush into the water cup. Take the painting if you want. I don’t care. You can decide not to, as well. But know this, I will continue to be myself, which is gay. I’ll champion gay causes and will not take your bullshit. Please leave.

You’re throwing me out? Floyd snapped.

Yes, my non-understanding gay ass is throwing you out. I can’t listen to you insult me because I’m gay.

You’ve changed, Floyd said. You got famous and you think you can snap at people. See if anyone wants to buy your terrible art now.

At least you’re telling me the truth. He opened his studio door. Goodbye.

Floyd stomped out of the building.

Roy slammed the door behind him. How dare Floyd talk to him that way? He’d prided himself on keeping his moodiness to his studio, but he’d been insulted. His friend had been slandered. Jesus. He’d been treated like a lesser person. He moved the painting off the easel and onto a side table. He couldn’t look at the work any longer, especially knowing he’d expended energy to create it, and now for nothing.

He didn’t act gay enough. What a crock of shit. What did he need to do to act more gay?

He clubbed here and there, but never brought guys home. His last boyfriend, Billy, had sworn Roy was too picky. So what? Why was it so bad to be picky? He tried not to fall for anyone because he didn’t want to get hurt. That, and he needed to be calculated with his art. His paintings were the only pure gut decisions he made—he followed his instincts and let his inspiration take him where the painting needed to go.

He’d done so much to color inside the lines of his life. He didn’t drink or smoke, kept his image polished—save for his outburst with Floyd—and worked hard. He acted out only through his art. People respected him and wanted his paintings.

Would they now? He’d alienated one buyer because he’d gotten fed up with Floyd’s bullshit. He could lose a few buyers if he kept stirring the pot. He should’ve thought his actions through before speaking out. He’d screwed himself over. But at least he still had his pride.

He wanted to keep selling art. He liked creating and seeing the works in different environments. He’d paint no matter what, but he liked making his rent, too.

He scrubbed both hands over his face. His mouth and creative spirit tended to get him into trouble.

He was in deep right now.

Raphael, his orange cat, left his perch on the drawing table and twined around Roy’s ankles. Roy scooped the cat into his arms. If the world went to shit, at least he had his cat. Raphael was the most loyal creature he’d ever met.

I think I fucked myself royally, Roy said. I think I made a mistake.

Raphael purred as Roy stroked his head. At least the cat loved him.

His phone rang. He kept the feline in his arms and answered the phone. Hello, Erik.

His brother was his agent and his only living family member. Where Roy did art, Erik handled law. He admired his brother’s ability to understand contracts. All he saw was junk. What’s up? As if he didn’t know.

Are you working?

I was. Why? He’d just bet Erik already knew about the blown sale.

I got a call from the mayor, Erik said.

I’ll bet you did.

He still wants the painting, but expects it for free, Erik said. He’s pissed, but you got him thinking.

Oh God. I did?

Sounds like. He’s thinking he needs to work on his appeal. He should be convincing all people in Norville to want him as the mayor, not just the ones who already voted for him, Erik said. You pointed out that he’s ignored the gay community.

I did. He said I didn’t act too gay and was understanding. He gritted his teeth. I handled the situation wrong, I’ll admit. I thought about my ego and pride, not the sale.

So?

Wait. He paused. What? Normally, his brother encouraged him to follow the rules and make sales. Keep everyone happy.

Someone needed to tell him he’s being a jerk. He doesn’t treat the gay community well, it’s true. James has a great business and so do Summer Rain and Arthur. They’re valuable to Norville. Plus, there’s the Gay Alliance. He needs to work with them, not against them. I doubt he’ll do a decent job, but you’ve opened his eyes.

But I messed up the sale, which doesn’t help me. He had to think about the business end of his art as well as the creation.

I wouldn’t worry about that. Erik chuckled. Word spread that you’ve thrown the mayor out. Those who agree with you are clamoring for your art—even after a few minutes. Those people outweigh the detractors.

Already?

Uh-huh. You’re trending locally. Erik laughed again. Roy, you need to have more faith in yourself. I do.

He put Raphael down. I’m glad. He appreciated having Erik on his side. Most of the time he thought Erik only cared about his making money.

What set you off? The comments about James?

That and he insulted me in a backhanded way. It was rough. He shook his head and paced the length of the studio. I don’t know. Maybe I need to clear my head.

Probably, but you do need to be more forthright, Erik said. You’re a good man and a phenomenal artist. Be you. I swear you keep so quiet and people will start to think you’re dead.

I’m not.

Then act like it. Go out. Make little videos of you walking Raphael. Be original with that art in front of you, or find a new medium, in addition to your paintings.

He groaned. I like my mediums the way they are.

You need to evolve.

Maybe. Damnit. He didn’t