About Moment of Truth 3: Missing the Ocean
Written by AJ Wilde
26 pages / 11200 words
ISBN: 978-1-60370-671-1, 1-60370-671-2
Available file types - html,
lit, pdf, prc
As Gary Carson continues to struggle with the emotional fallout from his past, Dan tries to be not only a lover, but a friend. When the normally straight-laced Dan Mason's secret kink brings Gary's ex, Kim Resnick, back into their lives, Dan may end up regretting his actions.When Kim reveals her own secret to Gary, the realization spills over into anger against Dan. Dan has to face some hard choices and realize that his own selfishness may end up tearing him and Gary apart forever.
Sample
Gary stared at the knives on the kitchen counter for a long time. He even pulled one of them out of the wooden block, sat down on the floor, and looked at it. He turned it over and over in his hands, studying its every detail: the gentle curve of the handle, the delicate sheen of the blade, the unforgiving edge of sharpened steel. He knew he'd screwed up royally, but it was nothing new -- he always did. He was a fuckup, just like his father had told him his whole life. Now Dan had said it, too.
Dan. How had he put it? You're pathetic. And he was right. Gary took the knife and stuck the point against the scarred skin of his inner arm. He didn't press too hard -- just enough to shock his mind back into consciousness. He was pathetic. He couldn't even express himself properly. What was he thinking, to just blurt it out like that? If he'd explained properly, if he'd sat Dan down and talked to him -- but he was no good at expressing his true meaning, and Dan never gave him a chance.
Gary ran the blade along his lower lip. It was cold and hard and cruel, just like life. He took the blade back to his arm and traced a name lightly on the surface of his skin. Then he turned his arm over and traced out Dan's name. Why was it so hard to explain? He'd tried, over and over and sometimes it seemed like Dan understood, but Gary knew he really didn't. He couldn't. Only another like Gary could understand.
Gary screwed his eyes shut and swallowed a sob. The knife clattered to the floor and he ran his hand over his face. He wouldn't draw blood, although it was so tempting. He'd promised Dan -- even though Dan would probably never believe a word he said ever again -- a promise was a promise. The therapy was helping, too; he was beginning to see through the thick cloud that he'd been living under for so many years. And Dan -- Dan was his rock, his safe place. Dan was the light. But he'd fucked it up again just like he’d done with every person who had ever meant anything to him in his sorry-ass life. It was a long, lonely road back from utter despair and Gary just couldn't do it by himself. Even Dan wasn't enough. Dan was tough and grounded and forthright and decent and didn't need validation or comfort or reassurance from anyone. Dan was the hero of the story.
Gary sniffed and wiped his face with the back of his hand, then jumped a mile as the apartment door slammed open.
"Gary! Gary? Gary!" Dan ran headlong into the kitchen and practically slid on his knees into Gary, who was still sitting on the floor. Dan threw his arms around Gary and held him tight. Gary let out a shuddering sob and clutched Dan's shoulders.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have left you alone!" Dan had already seen the knife on the floor. He closed his eyes and rocked Gary in his arms. Gary clung to him, eyes shut tight. "It's okay, baby,” Dan said. “I didn't listen, I'm sorry. Just tell me. Tell me everything. Who is he? I won't get angry again, I promise. Please, Gary, just tell me the truth."
Gary swallowed hard, and pulled away to look Dan in the eyes. The world of pain he found there took him by surprise. I never meant to hurt you so bad. I'm so sorry.
"He's not a he," Gary murmured, his voice still shaky from crying.
"What?" Dan looked confused.
"She's a she. A girl, Dan. You remember girls, right?"
Dan rolled his eyes by way of an answer.
"You remember Kim?" Gary wiped his face on his sleeve.
"Kim, yes, of course. Wait -- Kim?!"
Gary nodded silently, watching Dan’s face closely as the information sank in.