Together

By Diana DeRicci

Isaac arrived home not expecting to find anything but his warm bed waiting for him in the dead of winter. A nearly frozen friend from his past brought with him a bad break-up, old memories best left forgotten, and one particular problem he hadn't anticipated. An attraction that he just wasn't ready for. When faced with his friend's worst problems, it becomes a priority to help Shawn heal.

Shawn didn't know where to go when everything he'd been fighting for fell apart. Isaac was safe, far away from the worst reminders and lastly, the only person he could really trust. Shawn once had a crush on Isaac, but it was years ago before Isaac had left LA. A strong friendship had matured through the years since then, giving Shawn the strength to search for him now when he needed a friend.

Just when Isaac and Shawn are reaching a comfortable ground, challenges to their future bring decisions neither would have anticipated. Is Shawn still able to bend after a horrible break-up? Can Isaac trust after already being wounded by a previous lover?

Will either be able to accept that they could be stronger as three when they meet Quinn?

One thing they will learn is all things are possible together.

• 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

Together

Diana DeRicci

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright Acknowledgement

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

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

CHAPTER ONE

Isaac Boone twirled his pen between his fingers, slumping in his task chair. It was quiet in the ER tonight. Thankfully, the recent snows had kept a majority of Arbor Heights inside unless they needed to be out. The near-silent noise of the hospital in the background was white noise to Isaac. He was at the center island with Dr. Brant Teller, who was finishing his paperwork, at the end of his shift. Dr. Ester had come in not thirty minutes before to start the overnight watch.

Frankly, Isaac could have left two hours before, but what was the point? There wasn’t anyone at home anticipating him at the end of his shift, just an empty bed. Oh, the exciting things in his life. He sat straighter in his chair. Hey, Dr. Teller. Did you get Christmas this year?

Brant stopped typing, looking up with a blank expression from his laptop. Yeah. I worked it last year. He looked around, seeing who else was left at the nurses’ station, then said, We’re driving to visit my parents this year.

Isaac gave him an encouraging smile. Going to get the big, bad cop to meet the parents, huh?

Brant shrugged, a knowing gleam in his eyes. Spend the holiday. He met them over the summer.

Nice people? They liked him? Isaac liked hearing happy stories when it came to people and their partners. It gave him hope.

Dr. Teller didn’t need a lot of time to consider the question, a warm memory taking the place of his distracted expression. Actually, yeah. A cell phone buzzed in his pocket. And that would be him now. He should be about off shift himself.

Isaac waved from his chair to let him answer his phone in peace. Not many knew Brant Teller was gay, but then, not many knew about Isaac either. Dr. Teller knew, and the head floor nurse, for sure. Janet got along with everyone, though.

Isaac moved to Arbor Heights two years before after a bad breakup in LA. He had all but thrown a dart at the map and landed in the closest town. He couldn’t have been luckier. Arbor Heights was a very forward thinking, community-led town north of LA. Isaac didn’t have any rainbow bumper stickers on his car, but he didn’t feel like he had to watch over his shoulder for talking to the wrong guy, at least, not yet.

Dr. Teller ended his call and shut down his computer. See you later, Isaac.

Night, Doctor, he called in kind, watching the other man leave. Might as well do the same. The weekend was coming and he didn’t have a clue of what the hell to do with it. Christmas was even worse. He had it off this year, too.

Easing into his heavy jacket and gathering his things, he left the hospital. The blast of cold was sharp when he left behind the heat of the building. Gusts knifed through his hair. He ducked to avoid the worst of it, not that it helped a whole lot.

Pulling in front of his apartment he didn’t see the movement of the person in the shadows by his door until he was out of his car. He squinted in the bad light, discerning the form quickly. Shawn? What on earth was he doing there?

Thank God, he whimpered. Shawn jogged in place. Can I come in? It’s freaking cold out here. He wrapped his arms around his body bringing his shoulders in, bouncing from foot to foot.

No shit. Where’s your jacket? The sweater he wore wasn’t nearly enough to battle the chill snaps of wind blasting around the apartments. He inserted the key and opened his apartment door, herding Shawn through first.

Isaac took his jacket off to wrap over Shawn, then led him to the couch. Let me make you something hot, then you can tell me what happened. Shawn’s teeth chattered and clacked as he nodded in answer.

The best Isaac could do was coffee, even at that late hour. Glancing toward the man on his couch, Shawn rocked with cold, shivering, to dig into Isaac’s jacket as if he wanted to crawl into it and its lingering warmth. Shawn’s ears and nose were bright red. It didn’t really matter how long he’d been there waiting, it had been long enough to cause himself harm.

Isaac wondered what had happened, and knew Shawn would fill him in as much as he could. Shawn was a friend of Jasen’s, Isaac’s ex. Isaac and Shawn had always got along fine, and had stayed in contact even after the split. He wondered why he was here instead of finding friends closer to home.

Carrying the mug to Shawn, he sat next to him on the couch. It was a wonder the man didn’t have icicles hanging off him. At least his shakes were slowing down. Take slow sips until you begin to warm up, he cautioned. Shawn only nodded, his eyes closing in bliss as he took the first drink. He didn’t even complain that it was straight black.

I’m sorry for just showing up, Isaac, he said, curled up tight beneath the jacket, bent over the coffee mug like he was guarding it. I left Tam.

Out of all the possibilities, that was the last he would have expected to hear. What? Why?

Shawn sipped again, blinking and taking slow breaths. He’s doing drugs again.

Shit, Shawn, I’m sorry. Isaac thought Tam got that out of his system after his stay in rehab. He was really sorry to hear that wasn’t the case. Knowing Shawn had been dealing with this made Isaac want to curl him against his chest and protect and comfort the other man.

Shawn shook his head, his lips pressed together firmly. Don’t be. This time I followed him. I have proof, pictures on my cell. Shawn stared between his hands, nowhere else. I sent the information to his probation officer. I… He swallowed, a hard dry sound. He’s in jail now. I was gone before I even made that call.

Wow, Shawn. That took guts. Wait. How’d you get here from LA?

I had enough money on me for a bus. I need to go to the bank and clear all that up tomorrow. Make sure he’s off the account. I don’t care about the apartment. It was in his name, his stuff.

Damn, Shawn.

Isaac, he croaked. He sipped at his coffee, determined to stay in control. Can I stay here? I don’t have any place to go. He ran a quivering hand beneath his nose.

Of course you can, he answered while rubbing circles over his back trying to calm the shakes out of Shawn.

Finally Shawn’s hunched shoulders relaxed, the weight of the world dragging him down, evaporating.

Thanks. Silence filled the apartment between them. Jasen was a dick to you, Isaac, he said softly. I was sorry to see you leave LA. He looked over his shoulder at a quiet Isaac. I know John and Blake didn’t even think about it. They have their own world, but I missed you. You were a good friend.

Seeing Shawn was close to exhausted tears, he replied, Hey. We still are friends. You needed me. I’m here. Never doubt that. He shook his shoulder lightly. Tomorrow, things will look better. You won’t be freezing your nuts off for one.

Shawn snorted, covering his mouth with a palm. Thanks Isaac. I didn’t know what else to do, where to go. I didn’t want to stay in LA. He moved, holding the almost empty mug between curved palms. It felt like a good time for a break, you know? Tam had his good points, but he was too close to the group, and—

It’s okay. Isaac wrapped an arm over Shawn’s shoulders and hugged him close. He didn’t need more of an explanation. Sometimes you have to make a clean break. Sometimes, it’s the only thing you can do, Isaac said sincerely. Are you warming up? Can you feel everything?

Shawn wiggled his fingers then stuck out his legs and Isaac guessed wiggled his toes inside his shoes. Yeah. They’re all there.

Good. Let me get you a pillow and blanket. I don’t think another cup of coffee is a good idea this late, but if you need it—

Shawn shook his head. I’m doing better. He held the mug up. I won’t be a total slug.

I know you won’t, Isaac replied with an understanding smile. A couple days and there will be daylight.

I hope so. Shadows and sorrow darkened Shawn’s eyes, a unique blend of aqua blues that had always reminded Isaac of jewels right out of the South Pacific.

Isaac clasped the mug, running water into it to leave in the sink. Digging through his closet, he found a spare pillow and his spring comforter. It wasn’t Eskimo thick, but it would do the job.

§ § § §

Shawn bent his head over folded arms, biting back the sobs that were fighting to climb up his throat. He’d managed not to cry on the entire ride on the bus, then when he’d reached Isaac’s but he hadn’t been home, Shawn had been terrified he’d come to the wrong apartment. He regretted leaving LA the way he had, sans warmer clothes, his jacket, hell, anything, but that was water under the bridge now. As soon as he called Tam’s probation officer, he knew he couldn’t go home. He couldn’t be there when they came to arrest his boyfriend—ex-boyfriend. Shawn’s chest trembled as he tried to breathe.

He’d tried to support Tam through the months of withdrawals, being there when he needed