Stunned By Love

By Hayden Templar

                                                                        You're not supposed to fall for the rebound guy, are you?

 

After getting dumped by my long-term boyfriend, l was done with love at thirty-seven. I headed off to a Florida resort and planned on licking my wounds. It was supposed to be nothing more than a getaway. Away - to get over my old love, but somehow it managed to rock my entire world when l found myself falling for the rebound guy.

When my ex shows up at the same place, hot and sexy Lance steps in as my partner to spite my ex, but it's not long before he invades my every thought. Was l ready for this mature gay romance?

Could the fake rebound guy become the rebound love of my life in such a small amount of time?

 

If you love a short and steamy book, then check out this Instalove MM romance.

• Language: English
• Publisher: KemPress Ltd.
• Release date: Apr 11, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215853061

Book preview

Chapter One

Boring? He fucking called me boring!

The same words kept playing in my mind, gathering in intensity until a cyclone scooped me up, trapping me in its powerful grip, unable to break free. It spun me around and around before throwing me away like rubbish, leaving me to the ground below, shattered.

Did I just get dumped? My brain refused to comprehend what had just happened, and I sat there with tears rolling down my face. The miserable asshole just dropped me like yesterday’s laundry and did it with the deepest cut of all. He called me boring.

For sure, l was in the park so I wouldn't cause a scene. He knew me well. After 15 years as a couple, he had called it quits. Sure, we had gotten comfortable with each other after so many years together.

Wasn’t that normal?

We were no longer in our twenties. Back then, l had been the life of the party, every party. How long could one keep that up? You had to become part of the adulting life, come hell or high water. Yes, l had done it kicking and screaming, but l had learned to love my comfortable life. I thought he did too.

I had been with Alan for almost half of my life, having met in high school when we were still both closeted. Our secret bonded us, and we became lovers after a great friendship of four years.

Fast forward fifteen years, we had come out to our families and settled in to domestic bliss, or at least what I thought was bliss. It seemed it was a one-sided one. Boredom had sent him into the arms of another.

Just yesterday, l had paid for the vacation we were supposed to have in less than 48 hours. Flights booked, hotel booked. It was a vacation. I had been looking forward to it all. As an analyst, my job was demanding and left me precious little time to relax.

A project l had been working on finished early, giving me a full week to indulge in some R&R. I had made plans for us to stay at a resort, far away from the madness of the city. l’d even promised not to check in with the office the whole time.

Instead, here I was, seated on a park bench by myself, watching the ducks in the water, wishing l could be like them as they glided with glee, with no worries in the world.

What was I supposed to do now? I had known Alan almost my whole adult life, which were the ones that counted. He was the one who had shared my dreams of ditching the small town life.

To be rudderless at thirty-seven was daunting. l had to start all over again. Not an easy feat at my age. I didn’t want to be the pathetic old man trolling at the clubs. I had made fun of them in the past. That would not be me, l vowed to myself all those years ago.

As the tears flowed and my shoulders heaved, l was glad no one seemed to look my way. Should l have seen the signs of his malcontent?

The house we shared was now going to be hollow. There was nothing amiss when he had said he was going for a run. It wasn’t unusual, not in the least. I had grunted and rolled over in bed, eager to sleep some more because it had been a late night at work spent wrapping things up.

About thirty minutes after he left, my cell phone, which was on my side of the bed, rang. I groaned, thinking it was work asking for last-minute instructions and it tempted me to ignore it, but a quick glance showed his profile.

Afraid something might have happened, I grabbed it with a racing heart. Alan assured me he was okay and to meet him in the park. He had something to tell me; he said. Was that a voice of doom? I tried to recollect, but couldn’t be sure.

A quick shower and a shave, and l arrived at the appointed spot, dressed in sweatpants and a hoodie, just in case it had been to rope me into a jog with him. When l saw the uneasy look on his face, l became fearful. Something was off, but l never for one second pictured the bomb that was about to drop.

What's up? Me still clueless at this point.

He now shifted his foot from one to the other. I need to tell you something. I've been trying to figure out a way to say it.

Well, the best way to do it is just come out with it, no use dilly dallying. He wanted to buy something expensive, that new watch he’d been hinting at? A tiny smile appeared on my lips. That was it, l guessed.

Umm, this is hard for me to say. You know we've been growing apart as of late, he began, things haven't been the same.

My heart plunged, and in that split second, I realized what was coming next and braced myself for the hammer that was sure to fall. I could feel the hot tears well up and I shut my eyes, as if that would stop the next words from coming.

I think we need a break from each other. No hint of regret.

A break? There was still be some hope then, being clueless.

You just need a break? OK, how long do you think you need? I