Learning to Live

By Diana DeRicci

Avery Storey has bought a house in a conscious effort to be more independent. Right before he moves in, the kitchen pipes malfunction. Lucky for him, one of his new neighbors is the same man Avery has begun to warm up to through his teller job. Gratefully, AJ comes to the rescue, because that's what neighbors do. A little romance blooms between the two men. Unfortunately, AJ blows his chance when he learns Avery is thirteen years his junior. Hurting for the sweet man across the street, he's forced to face what his life would be like without Avery at all, because being neighbors alone just would not be enough.

This is a re-release of a previously published book, only the publisher has changed. The content of the story has been re-edited for republication but there has been no major storyline changes from the original.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Diana Castilleja
• Release date: Sep 6, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215009192

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

Learning to Live

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

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

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

Avery held the pen in a hand that trembled.

Sign this one. Louise dragged out a lengthy sheet at the end of the packet. This is the last one. I promise.

Avery shook his hand out to dislodge the tenderness eating at it. He swore he’d been signing his name for at least an hour. She smiled when he did with a final flourish. His stomach flipped seeing his scribbled John Hancock, signing away his life. It certainly felt like it.

Congratulations, Mr. Storey, the title agent across the table said.

Avery felt a mixture of elation and terror, corralled in a swath of exhaustion staring at that very last signature. He couldn’t believe he’d done it. He looked across the table to his realtor and the title agent. It’s mine?

The whole kit and caboodle. 1703 Lockney Way is now yours.

He went to hand the pen back and the young woman raised a palm to refuse. Our treat. One of the few we actually get to give without being hounded by Uncle Sam for it.

Oh, well, okay. Thanks. He clicked the pen and placed it on the table.

Louise, his realtor, handed over the keys, explaining. Front door, back door, and garage. I recommend testing all the keys and if anything needs changed, call us immediately. We can do a courtesy change on two locks.

That’s nice.

The other woman stood. His mind was mush. He couldn’t remember her name. Let me run your copies and you’re all done.

Avery nodded and sank into his chair. He literally felt like he was going to throw up. I bought a freakin’ house! Ahhhhhhh! He laughed quietly as he had a silent mini-breakdown.

Louise patted his hand. Martha is so proud of you.

Thanks. For being here. Even though he knew she mostly had to be. Someone had to be there to witness all the madness. And I’m sure Aunt Martha is simply glad to see me finally doing something with the money Mom left me.

Well, she’s still your family. She’s going to worry about you.

Avery smiled. That was an understatement. He looked at his watch. He still had time before he had to return to work at the bank. I’m going to go by the house to check the keys before going back.

Louise nodded. I recommend it. Make sure everything is still sound.

He knew the house was going to be a project. It needed cleaning and some repair. It had been vacant for more than a year, sitting forlorn and alone. Honestly, the idea that he was responsible as the sole owner terrified him. Avery was comfortable behind a calculator, behind a computer, or a counter. A hammer? A saw? He tapped his foot to try to hide his alarm at the undertaking he’d bought. His heart had said it was the right thing to do. His stomach was now trying to rebel and his brain was leading the march.

The door to the conference room opened interrupting his internal whipping party. He stood and gathered his things to leave. The agent met him at the table. Here you are, Mr. Storey. And again, congratulations. You’ll be getting tax information from the city offices. Make sure you forward a copy to your mortgage holder.

I will. He shook her hand. Thank you for all your help.

She gave him a bright smile and he felt himself flush a little. He never knew how to handle women. Aggressive women were the worst.

Bye, he murmured, ducking out while Louise and the agent talked for a few minutes. He was at his car door when he heard his name. He paused and waited. Louise walked up and after a brief moment of concerned study, hugged him until he relaxed.

You’ll be fine.

You’re only saying that because you were my fourth grade teacher and probably know more dirty secrets than I want to admit to.

No, she argued. I’m saying that because you grew up to be a fine gentleman and you made a good choice. I know you’re nervous, every first time buyer is. You’ll be fine. Don’t forget to check the keys, and call me if you need any advice.

He accepted another of Louise’s short hugs, then watched her leave. He owed his Aunt Martha for suggesting Louise. Ten years ago, she’d been Mrs. Blackmon, but she’d suffered a minor stroke and had made a complete switch in careers. Less screaming and able to work her own hours. He couldn’t fault her for it.

Sliding into his car, he set the house paperwork on the passenger seat and buckled up. Drawing a deep breath, he started the car and aimed for his new home.

Nausea rolled in waves as he approached it on the street. In awe, he slowed to drift into the driveway. It wasn’t an old house, merely one in need of TLC. And it wasn’t like he was short on time. It was about the only thing he did have plenty of.

He huffed, then got out of the car. Taking Louise’s advice, he checked all the locks and found they opened smoothly. That was nice. It was an as-is purchase so there wasn’t much he wasn’t fully responsible for. He’d have to find out who’d been handling the yard work. He was keeping them. If Avery was a fumbling wreck inside, he was a menace outside. Avery had lived with his Aunt Martha, then in an apartment. He’d never even used a lawnmower, much less something as dangerous as trimmers or edgers.

With his less-than-graceful luck, he’d whack off a toe.

Trying the lights, he realized the realty office had canceled the power. He sighed. It was just as well. He needed to figure out what he was going to tackle first. He’d start getting the basics handled next week. Avery walked through all the rooms, seeing what was now his. Spacious rooms with arched doorways and clean tile that made the rooms seem larger.

He ran his hand over the top of the fireplace and smiled. This was what had sold him on the house. He’d always wanted a fireplace.

His phone buzzed at him. Palming it out of a pocket, he answered.

How did it go? Broke?

Very funny, Remy. But done and yes.

Remy laughed on the other end. Thought you should know, the head cheese knows you’re done and is starting to glare that your spot is still empty.

Okay. Thanks for the warning. I’m on my way.

He should have known his teller supervisor would only allow so much leniency. His Aunt Martha also worked for the bank and he owed her for the job to begin with, so he couldn’t screw around forever. Taking time for the closing was approved, but lollygagging around his new home admiring the way sunlight hit the tile or the way the walls begged for artwork wasn’t.

Finishing his walk through, he let the ambiance of the house soak in. He could make this one his. He knew it.

Locking the door behind him, he strode to his car to finish his shift at the bank.

§ § § §

AJ walked into the cool air conditioning of the bank, wiping his hand on his jeans, sorry he hadn’t taken the time to try to clean up. Not much he could do about it now. He had hoped he’d look a little neater to see his favorite teller, but… Yeah, that was his life. AJ was always a full plate served with a side of dirt.

He gripped the checks and deposit slip and stood behind the rope. When it was his turn, he smiled at the cute guy on the other side of the counter. AJ basked in the beaming smile he got in answer.

Hi, how can I help you?

Deposit for today. How are you, Avery? He loved coming to his bank now that Avery was working there. He was the sweetest thing to add a perk to AJ’s step in ages.

Lovely pale green eyes lowered to the computer screen, but that evasiveness didn’t hide his blush. It’s been a good Friday.

Oh, do tell, he prompted with a hint of flirt.

That red flush deepened and so did his attempt to hide his smile. He peeked around. I closed on my house today, he whispered.

Congratulations.

I’m so nervous.

You’ll be fine, AJ offered soothingly. It amazed him how easily Avery could tackle his mess of a deposit every Friday. He hated the whole process but knew it was an evil necessity to life.

Did you want a copy of the balance? AJ took out his ID and let Avery take a peek. Thank you. The printer at his side started to whir. Anything else?

Your phone number? Are you single? Can I take you out? There was a lot that could be asked, but instead AJ simply said, No, but thank you. sGood luck with the house.

Thank you, Mr. Fischer. Have a good weekend.

You, too. Holding his receipt in hand, he turned and walked away. Though he still snuck a last peek toward the counter, to catch a glimpse of Avery before he left.

AJ wasn’t sure how old the blond was, not that it really mattered. The man was simply adorable. Soft green eyes, a sweet smile, and blushes that killed. Those blushes made him seem younger than he probably was. If he’d bought a house, chances were good he was at least close to thirty.

One thing AJ was sure of, unless his gaydar needed a major tune-up: the man behind that adorable smile was gay.

He was very personable here, but he seemed shy, quiet. AJ had been slowly drawing him more and more into conversation, though it was really hard to sneak in anything worthwhile in less than five minutes without causing suspicion. He’d been using this bank for years, but had only spotted Avery by accident during a deposit inquiry a couple of months ago. Since that day, he had made every effort to handle all the banking himself and come inside specifically to see the blond. So at least once a week, AJ got an Avery fix.

He knew he was pouting since he wished it could be more, but he hadn’t