Chapter 1 Jackson + 

I parked the car a few blocks from the main drag, further than I wanted to be, but close enough to escape quickly. I hadn’t wanted to be here at all, so the faster I could get out, the better. I pushed open the driver’s side door, jammed my hands into my pockets, and walked quickly toward the street. + 

Stepping into the district felt like entering another world. The lights pulsed, the music throbbed, and a current of energy practically begged you to join the revelry. If you were into that sort of thing, of course. + 

I wasn’t. + 

This wasn’t my scene. It never had been, and I doubted it ever would be. According to my few good friends, I’d been born old. + 

I preferred quiet. I liked my work. I liked being left alone as much as possible. Unfortunately, there were times—like tonight—when I couldn’t do what I wanted. + 

The bar appeared instantly. It was impossible to miss. + 

A kaleidoscope of rainbow fluorescent lights blazed. A child could easily mistake it for the second happiest place on Earth. The smiles plastered on the faces of the men—and the occasional woman—entering and exiting the welcoming purple door confirmed it. + 

I groaned silently, rolling my eyes as I stopped on the sidewalk. + 

My best friend was getting married. This was his bachelor party. + 

“So, suck it up!” I muttered to myself. + 

A few snickers beside me startled me, and I stepped back instinctively. I hadn’t noticed the small group until then. Heat flushed my cheeks, and I rolled my eyes again. + 

“Jackson!” a voice giggled beside my ear. + 

I turned to the glowing face of Percy, my best friend’s fiancé. My brows arched at the heavily made-up man with his newly dyed purple hair. + 

I grinned. + 

“New look for tonight, I see. It suits you,” I approved with my usual small, genuine smile. + 

Percy giggled again, clearly thrilled about the night and my compliment. He looped his arm through mine and started walking forward. + 

“Come on, big boy,” he coaxed, pulling me along. + 

I rolled my eyes internally at the “big boy” jab. My friends loved to tease me about my stature, especially knowing how much I hated it. I’d known Percy for years and he’d picked up the habit too. + 

“Where’s Archer?” I asked, shouting over the music pulsing from inside. + 

Percy nodded toward the direction they were walking. “Had to run to the car for his phone. He’s waiting!” He leaned down, speaking directly into my ear. + 

I tried to suppress a cringe as my personal space was invaded. I hated it when people got too close. + 

“Everyone else is here, too. You’re late!” he accused, walking faster and grabbing my hand to pull me along. + 

I’d never admit I’d deliberately stalled. But the knowing look Archer gave me confirmed he knew exactly what I’d done. + 

I evaded his gaze and focused on greeting the group of four gathered in the VIP area. Drinks were in various stages of completion, and Mick and Noah looked like they were already well into their second round. + 

Thankfully, it was quieter here, just loud conversation instead of shouting. I stepped over to Archer and embraced him in welcome. + 

A few people slid over to make room for me beside him. Percy sat down on my other side. + 

“I was starting to wonder if you’d show,” Archer said. + 

“You know I wouldn’t miss it,” I replied, a touch offended. + 

Archer laughed and slapped me on the shoulder. “I know. That’s why I won the bet.” He stood up. “Pay up, ladies!” he yelled down the table. + 

I watched in astonishment as, with groans and complaints, my so-called friends began withdrawing twenty-dollar bills and passing them to Archer. + 

“I can’t believe you guys thought I’d skip out on Archer and Percy’s bachelor party?” + 

Branson, built like a linebacker in flannel and jeans, laughed. “Jackson, we can barely get you to meet us at our regular bar, let alone a place like this!” + 

“Hey!” Percy protested, defending his favorite haunt. + 

“Oh, Percy, don’t get your panties twisted. Leave that to Asher!” Branson added, earning a few chuckles. “Jackson is as boring as they come. Getting him outside of his house is a miracle in itself!” + 

I leaned back, no longer bothering to defend myself. I wouldn’t win. They all agreed with Branson—five against one. The odds were never in my favor. + 

As I sat and watched the jokes fly and the laughter erupt, I reflected on how genuinely surprised I was to be part of such an odd group of friends. Though wildly different, each of us had outstanding personalities and careers… except for me. Well, I had the career, but my personality definitely lacked. + 

I was the quiet one. I didn’t sparkle or shine. There was nothing eye-catching about me. Short with brown hair and brown eyes, I was average. My personality wasn’t outgoing or forthcoming. I was quiet, private, and I never liked to draw attention to myself. I was just Jackson. + 

The five of us had met as freshmen in high school. Actually, it would be more accurate to say they’d found me when we were freshmen. Noah, Mick, Archer, and Branson had played varsity football despite being freshmen. + 

I’d been the typical geek. + 

In a cliché, John Hughes-style scene, I’d been getting shoved around by a group of guys on the football team. When the four had walked up, instead of joining in or walking away, they’d quickly ended the bullying with a few shoves and warnings. + 

While my bullies had walked off in a huff, the others had helped me gather my scattered belongings from the ground. They’d also invited me to join them at the local mom-and-pop arcade, frequented by kids after school. It was known for its old-fashioned video games. + 

I’d never been. + 

Against my usual nature, I’d gone, and the five of us had been fast friends ever since. + 

Despite being the odd man out, not remotely sporty or even interested in watching, the guys were protective of me. They included me in everything, and I, in turn, did… nothing. + 

I’d never understood why they’d latched onto me like a little brother, but they had, and they still did today. + 

Over time, Archer and I had grown closer. I was the first person he told that he was gay. It had been an emotional moment, sealing our bond of brotherhood forever. + 

It was my unqualified acceptance that had encouraged Archer to tell his family and then our friends. Branson and Mick had been more shocked than the others. Their initial reaction had been painful to watch, but it hadn’t taken long for them to realize they were being idiots. + 

Now, twelve years later, we all sat together in the most stereotypical gay establishment imaginable, laughing and teasing and wishing our dearest friend and his soon-to-be spouse the utmost happiness. + 

Our backgrounds, our races, our sexual preferences didn’t matter. We were like brothers from different mothers. It was nice. + 

“Let’s dance!” Percy suddenly exclaimed as the music shifted to a deep, thrumming beat that I could feel vibrating through my chest. + 

I watched as everyone climbed to their feet, following the blushing bride. + 

“Oh no!” Archer said as I continued to sit. He grabbed my arm and pulled me up. “I have to dance, then you have to dance,” he ordered. + 

Archer laughed at the expression on my face. I could only imagine what it looked like. If it reflected how I felt, it had to be comical. + 

“Arch,” I started to plead, but Branson was there beside me, laughing as he helped Archer pull me along. + 

The two large men, who’d played defensive lineman in high school and college, drove me through the throng of swirling bodies onto the floor with the ease they’d once exhibited on the field. + 

Laughing, and caught up in the mood, everyone moved. Hands in the air, shoulders bouncing, hips swaying, the friends danced with each other in a small inner circle. + 

All except me. I found it impossible to relax enough to let go. + 

Percy, catching sight of my pitiful state, danced over and draped his long mocha-colored arms across my shoulders and smiled down at me. “Come on, big boy, let’s show them how we do this.” + 

With nothing more said and only a wink to prepare myself for whatever came next, I waited for Percy’s next move. It didn’t take long. + 

Percy rocked his body left and then swayed it back right. His hips bounced and shifted, his motions fluid and languid. They also pulled me along with them. + 

In shock, I found myself swaying with Percy. Our bodies touched and skimmed as he moved us to the rhythm. It felt awkward, but amazing at the same time. + 

I glanced around surreptitiously as we danced. No eyes were on us. That made it suddenly easier. With the music and Percy’s help, I finally understood why people loved to dance. + 

Closing my eyes, I gave my trust to Percy not to let me make a fool of myself and surrendered to the moment. With his guidance, I followed his body and let my own respond in kind. + 

We stayed like that through two songs. By the third, I was feeling more comfortable. Enough at least to open my eyes. I should have known the others would have noticed. + 

They were all smiling and winking at me. It was clear they were happy to see me enjoying myself. I had to admit, it felt kind of good. + 

Mick and Noah glided over toward us. Percy slipped away, allowing them room to sandwich me between them. I knew my face flushed as they moved suggestively in front and behind me. Noah grabbed my waist and shouted in my ear, “Lighten up!” + 

Despite myself, I did. It wasn’t as easy or as fun as it was with Percy, but I let go enough to move with the two idiots trying, I knew, to get me out of my shell. It was easier to go along with it than it was to fight. + 

So once again, I closed my eyes and let them move me to the music, my hands raised upwards as Noah’s remained around my waist and Mick’s on my shoulders. Our hips synchronized to the pulsing music, and the three of us moved as one. + 

Time slipped by quickly after that. I danced with Archer and even Branson later. It was a silly night for me. I’d never felt this free before, and I knew I likely never would again. + 

It was a moment out of time, one to be shared on special occasions like your best friend getting married. + 

In that spirit, I closed my eyes and moved along with the fast-paced tempo. The music vibrated through my body, and I was surprised to find that not only was I enjoying myself but I wasn’t half bad at dancing either. + 

As I moved my hips, Branson jostled into me and I opened my eyes as he laughingly looked down at me with an apology. I laughed back up and stepped back just a step to make more room for him when my eyes were suddenly ensnared by a man maybe ten feet away from me. + 

He wasn’t dancing. He wasn’t moving at all. He wasn’t smiling or frowning. + 

He was standing very still, and he was staring very directly and very intently… + 

At me. + 