Boyfriend Forever

By Diana DeRicci

Can love survive seven years apart?

Jayden Sindler let the love of his life walk away seven years ago to give him the chance to fulfill a future Nash Vargas had been working toward since his sophomore year in high school. As the years crawled by, they'd drifted apart, living in two different cities, with two different careers. Over time, the promises of ever after faded.

Jayden knew he was equally to blame for letting things fall apart. When phone numbers ceased working, when Nash moved jobs then residences, he knew it was really over.

It was time to let go.

Can new life be breathed into an old flame? Can hearts forgive? Can Jayden convince Nash to give love one more try?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Diana Castilleja
• Release date: Oct 14, 2023

Diana DeRicci

Diana DeRicci is the sexy, flirty pen name of Diana Castilleja. A romance author at heart, DeRicci’s writing takes you into a saucier spectrum of sensuality and sexual adventure, where a happily-ever-after is still the key to any story. Diana lives in Central Texas with her husband, one son and a feisty little Chihuahua named Rascal. You can catch the latest news on all of Diana DeRicci’s writing and books on her website Listed above. Feel free to drop Diana an email. She’d love to hear from you.

Book preview

Boyfriend Forever

Diana DeRicci

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright Acknowledgement

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Epilogue

About the Author

Arbor Heights Titles

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Copyright 2022 by Diana DeRicci

All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form.

Published by Happy Ending Press

Cover Art/Formatting by Kris Jacen www.krisjacen.com/three-hearts

Issued 2022

This book is licensed to the original purchaser only. Duplication or distribution via any means is illegal and a violation of International Copyright Law, subject to criminal prosecution and upon conviction, fines and/or imprisonment. This eBook cannot be legally loaned or given to others. No part of this eBook can be shared or reproduced without the express permission of the publisher

PROLOGUE

Tim and Bill made gooey faces at each other. Again. Jayden hid behind his beer and let them, simply shaking his head. They were a pair. A pair of nuts, lovey-dovey nuts. Almost nine years together and they still acted like two teenagers.

Jayden cleared his throat. Bill.

He smooched Tim and straightened in his chair, pretending seriousness. Sorry. Right. He looked at the cards in his hand, withdrew two and tossed them. Dos.

Erich dealt him two cards and swept the castoffs into a pile. Babe?

Wayne made a face, withdrew one and slid it over. Just one. This is the worst one yet.

Erich snickered. Dealer takes one. Jay?

Three. Adding them to his hand, he stifled a groan. He’d gone from bad to worse, if that was even possible. He slid a look to Wayne. I think I beat your worst with this hand.

Wayne grumbled and slouched in his chair. Okay. Show ‘em.

A round of mumbled bitching was loud when Tim played his hand.

Seriously? A flush? Wayne looked ready to toss in the towel. He’d had a crappy night of luck. Couldn’t accuse Erich of stacking the deck for his boyfriend.

Tim rocked a shoulder. Talk to Mr. V. He gave it to me. He couldn’t stop grinning though as he cupped quarters into stacks.

The poker games had started a few years ago and when Bill had asked if Jayden or Tim knew of anyone who’d like to join for a night of cards, he’d asked Erich, Wayne, and Guillaume. His blustery French got them all laughing whenever he was there to play. His buddy actually had a date tonight.

Something Jayden hadn’t had in…a very long time. He tipped his beer. Anyone need another?

I’ll take one, Erich chimed in.

Jayden tossed his bottle and grabbed two out of the fridge.

When he came into the room, Tim and Bill were talking quietly, Tim being unusually serious. Bill said something and nodded and Tim almost lit up. Jayden was waiting for his friend to bounce on his chair.

What’s with you tonight? Jayden asked, maybe a little more petulantly than normal, but he just didn’t get them. How could anyone be that happy?

Tim scowled at him. Sour puss. We’ve got news and Bill has been making me sit on it.

Okay. Erich shuffled and passed out cards. Spill before you pop.

Jayden relaxed against his chair, drawing a sip of the cold brew.

Bill asked me to marry him!

No shit? Really? When? Wayne perked up and even Erich slowed his dealing.

Last weekend.

And you’ve been able to sit on it this long? Jayden snickered. He knew that had to kill Tim. He didn’t like keeping secrets from Jayden, or anyone.

Barely, Bill admitted. Had to swear him to secrecy until I could tell my parents. They’d kill us both if they hadn’t been told first.

That was actually…kind of sweet. Congratulations. I’m happy for you. He set his beer down. Be right back.

He stood and walked around the corner, his intention being the bathroom. Or escape for a few minutes. He really didn’t care.

Jay?

He slowed in the hallway and faced Tim.

Are you okay?

He smiled. He hoped it was a smile. It was a shame this was Erich’s weekend. He suddenly had the urge to get seriously shit-faced drunk. He had to drive home.

Yeah. Why wouldn’t I be?

Tim studied him. I don’t know. You just seem…off.

I’m fine.

Tim got closer. Have you heard from Nash?

Jayden’s heart pinched, yet he kept every sign of what he was feeling off his face. Playing poker wasn’t the only reason to keep a blank expression all night long. No. And he knew Tim would be aware of that. He hadn’t spoken to Nash in years. His heart knew it, there was no doubt.

He didn’t ask if either Tim or Bill had, though. Bill was Nash’s cousin. He didn’t want to know if he’d been in contact with Bill only to learn he hadn’t wanted to talk to Jayden.

Well, we wanted to tell you guys tonight because I have a favor.

You want me to stand, he said. Sure.

Tim shook his head and Jayden’s soul crumbled a little more.

Okay. I understand.

When he went to turn away, Tim caught his arm. "You idiot. I want you to be my best man. We’ve decided we each want one person to stand for us, instead of doing an elaborate show."

Jayden blinked. You do? Me?

Of course! Tim smiled. You’re my best friend. Of course you.

I’d be honored.

Tim gathered him in a squishing hug and Jayden returned the embrace.

Thank you! Tim all but cried jubilantly. The favor is I need you to travel. When Jayden didn’t complain, he added, It’s going to be low-key, but his parents will be there, and my mother.

What about Devon?

If he comes, he comes. Tim rolled a shoulder. I don’t think he will. My step-father refuses to even say Bill is my boyfriend. Think he’ll come to a wedding? He made a dismissive sound. I can’t let him get to me.

Jayden nodded and really smiled. I’d be happy to.

You’re the best.

Well, the best has to piss.

Tim chuckled. Right. He walked away, vanishing as he turned down the hall. It wasn’t until he was washing his hands that he realized Tim hadn’t said where he’d be traveling to.

CHAPTER ONE

Lupe! Dinner! When Nash didn’t hear his niece, he called again. Comida! Third shout worked like a charm. She came charging from her bedroom like a tornado powered her feet.

What is it? she asked, tugging her chair from the table with a jarring wood to wood scrape.

He finished adding to both plates and sat down. Fish. It’s good for you.

She frowned. Doesn’t that mean it’s going to taste bad?

Nash pinched his lips to stifle the laugh. "No. When you’re done eating, we’ll take a plate to your mamá. He took a bite of the buttery filet to enjoy the resting silence for a moment. What did you do in school today?"

We’re learning about dinosaurs, she said, munching happily through the green beans. She was a power eater. Most of the time.

Nash pointed at the fish on her plate with his fork. That too. Most of the time. He smiled at her.

She sighed, but took a bite, resigned. When it didn’t look like it was going to kill her outright, she began to slowly make inroads through the fish plank.

Dinosaurs sound like fun.

She shrugged,