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“Fuck it!” Griff moves the mouse and clicks on the ‘open’ tab.

Feeling the tension in Griff’s neck, I focus my eyes on him rather than the screen.

“The fucker, that little shit.” Griff starts to chuckle, “Can you believe that dickhead?”

“Can I look?” I peek down at him as he smiles.

“I thought you were reading it with me?” He seems surprised.

“Of course not, I could see this one was much more personal. I wanted to give you some space.”

“Go for it.” Griff grins.

I start to read and a smile spreads across my face.

Griff,

Thank fuck for that. You’ve finally admitted to yourself what I’ve known all along.

I’ve watched you struggle for years, the women you had on your arm and the smiles as you answered question after question on whether to settle down. The look on your face on the internet today speaks volumes, you show a smile and a tenderness that I’ve never seen before. But it looks good on you, you look happy and content. Good for you.

Now for the serious stuff. I know how much I let you down. I know how much I hurt you and I know I don’t deserve, or expect, your understanding or forgiveness. But you deserve an explanation for my actions, or lack of them. Ricky threatened to fire me and discredit my name if I went to the cops, he had proof of my addiction. I hated letting you down after all our years together, but, Griff, he was going to shut me down. As you know, I still had my moment in court and I hated not being supportive. It killed me to see the pain in your eyes as I let you down. I promise you, Griff, if I could change the past, I would. I was scared, I had bills I needed to pay and he offered me a way to clear my debts.

If there is any way I can make it up to you, I promise I will. If you can find it in your heart to forgive me, I would love to hear from you again; I am on the same number.

Ricky Romano has been relieved of his position (and I am free to contact you again) and is in enough trouble of his own. Once more I want to say how sorry I am for letting you down at a time you needed me more than ever, I know you would never have done the same to me.

I wish you every success and happiness for the future, on whatever path you choose to take, and if you ever find yourself needing a mechanic (or a humbled friend) I am here for you. You look happy in love, Griff, and you deserve that more than anyone I know.

Again, I’m so sorry to have let you down at a time you needed me the most.

Pipes

I look down at my lover, his hand has wrapped around my thigh and his head rests against my hip. Griff tips his head to glance at me and I see a sheen of unshed tears glazing his beautiful blue eyes.

“Oh, sweetheart, how are you coping with that?” I shake my head at the heartfelt apology sent in an email.

“I dunno, I want to be angry, I want to hate him.” Griff turns his head into my body.

“But you don’t, I can see that. Griff, I have spent years, over ten years, living with the guilt of my cocky mouth and the trouble I caused to my brother. I know what it’s like to be forgiven for being a dick. If you can, I think you should speak to him, at least.” My hand strokes through his shaggy locks, caressing and soothing his scalp with my fingertips. “Who’s Ricky Romano?”

I feel a growl build through Griff’s body and he lets go of my leg. Pushing himself out of the chair, he grabs his cellphone again and brings up a number.

“Austin? Yeah, it’s me. Check out Ricky Romano, he’s behind it all somehow; ask your cousin to find out. I want that fucker going down.” Griff pauses as he listens to the reply. “Cool. Thanks, man. Yeah, later, dude.”

Griff turns and captures my face in his hands and draws me closer. His mouth presses against mine, once, twice, then pulls away.

“Ricky Romano was my publicist, he was the man who was supposed to keep all the bad press away. I don’t fucking believe this, why the fuck did he have it in for me?” Griff appears pained again, tormented by the memories of court. “I know this is still all of my fault, for being so damn stubborn, but when it came to you, I just didn’t want that memory tarnished.”

“I know, Griff, I know. So, what do you want to do about Pipes?” I keep my mouth close to his and drop a sweet, unexpected kiss on his mouth.

“I don’t know, nothing yet. I think I need some time to get my head around all of this.” Griff looks at me and gives me his million-dollar smile. “Let’s get outta here. Let’s go have some fun. I feel the need, the need for speed.” He waggles his eyebrows.

“Did you just quote Top Gun at me?” I burst out laughing.

“Yep! Whatcha gonna do about it?” His beautiful smile is infectious.

“Well, I could say, take me to bed or lose me forever, but that would just be corny.” I smile as a laugh bubbles up inside me.

“Oh, baby, I fucking love you.” Griff’s eyes darken as he leans into me again.

“Now, that’s a sentence I’m never gonna tire of hearing. I love you, too, honey.”