Off Limits (Secrets Kept, #1)

by Riley Hart

“Oh, how did he know you’re gay? I grew up with you for your whole life and didn’t know.” “I can’t tell you, or I’d have to kill you. We’re not allowed to share secrets from the Gay Bible with the straights.”

“If you’re interested, you should write your phone number on my receipt.” He grinned. “I’m interested.” He shook his ass when he walked away, and Kinsley huffed. “Why does everyone find you so charming?” she teased. “Because, big sister, they’re correct.”

I walked over to their home bar and poured myself a bourbon. Nothing drove me to drink quite like being around my family.

“The second tragedy here is that we’re both gorgeous, queer men, and it can never go anywhere because you were married to my sister.”

Because feeling like you’re enough has no age limit. We all want that.”

Hutch went straight to my head, gave me this natural high I hadn’t known I’d been missing my whole life. It was like not realizing you weren’t intact, and then suddenly you were, and the whole damn world made sense when you hadn’t known it was out of whack before. Jesus, that was mushy, but it was true.

I leaned over and kissed his bare shoulder, the towel he’d been drying his hair with still lying forgotten on the floor. “What was that for?” Hutch asked. “Just because.”

His bed was neat where mine was always a mess. “Do you make that every day?” “You don’t make yours?” I shook my head. “I don’t know if this will work out between us… How in the hell do you climb into an unmade bed?”

“Hutch and me, sitting in a tree…because Hutch just realized he’s in love with…me. Shit. I was trying to rhyme. I suck at that, Mister In Love With Me. I think I’m gonna call you that from now on… Hi, have you met my boyfriend, In Love With Me? In case you didn’t know, he’s in love with me.”

“You’re not supposed to lie…but you’re really not supposed to lie to your best friend.” Christ, I adored her. “You’re right. I’m a little sad.” “Did you and Ryder break up?” “You know me and Ryder are together?” “I’m seven, not an idiot.”

Life was a mess, but whether I deserved it or not, I had so much good too.

“I love you too. You’ve been very mushy lately.” “What can I say? I’m a shmoopy guy.”

I’ll give you your space, and while I don’t agree with you, I accept that you’re not going tomorrow night, but I’m not leaving you. I’m not walking away from you. I’ll be back, and I’ll keep coming back, because I love you and you’re worth it.”

“What’s your name?” Anson asked Luke, whose mouth had dropped open. Luke stood there, almost like he’d lost his voice, mouth opening and closing before he said, “Um…Luke…Luke…I’m Luke. You’re Anson Hawkins, and you’re Darren Edwards. No duh. Why am I telling you both who you are? You know who you are. I’m gonna stop talking now.” Luke’s cheeks flushed pink.

When Luke and I got in the car, he said, “Dude, you guys are sooooo in love.” “Are you making fun of me?” “Just stating the obvious.” “Brat.”

All we can do is live in the moment, love each other, and hold on to our happiness with both hands.

She had an infectious personality like…well, like you, if I’m being honest.” “Like me?” I’d expected him to say like Maddy. “Yes, like you. There’s something very dynamic about you, Grant. People like you, they respect you, they pay attention to you, and…you’re kind, like she was, but also with a wicked, stubborn streak.”