Signs of Life (32 page)
“I keep looking at your face,” Kai said softly, breaking into Jeremy’s reverie. “And comparing the differences.” He held up the Hawaii picture. “I know it’s stupid, but—”
Jeremy looked between the two photos, seeing what Kai must be seeing. In the picture with Brent, Jeremy’s face was open, beaming, his eyes crinkled up at the corners as he laughed with him at the camera. With Kai, his face was solemn, almost unsmiling, the lines at his eyes not caused by apparent laughter.
Jeremy pulled him closer. “You know what I see? In the picture with Brent I see a man—a boy—largely untouched by life. Happy and in love, but with no idea of what it’s truly like to suffer, and to survive.” Kai leaned into him, and Jeremy kissed him gently. “With you I see men who are just as happy, just as in love, but they’ve also been thrown into the fires of hell. They’re survivors, and they’ve chosen to love again despite knowing the pain love can bring.”
Jeremy reached for the picture of him and Brent, and when Kai handed it to him, he traced his finger wistfully over Brent’s face. “I’ve wondered lately if Brent and I would have survived losing the baby, I mean, survived as a couple. I’d like to think so, but knowing how fragile Brent was—I don’t know for sure. I might have been too much of a reminder of the pain, and he might have needed to—not be around me. In a way I’m glad I’ll never know the answer to that.”
Kai rubbed Jeremy’s back, just listening.
“With you, Kai, I don’t have those doubts. You’re the strongest man I’ve ever known, and no matter what life throws at us, I know you can weather it with me. It doesn’t sound like much on the face of it, but Kai, I cherish that about you. Never doubt it, even if I’m not wearing some sappy grin in a picture.”
“I love you, Jeremy,” Kai murmured, and Jeremy put the picture of Brent down and wrapped Kai tightly in his arms.
Kai clung to him, and finally Jeremy put his lips to Kai’s ear, kissing him softly before whispering, “Marry me. Start a family with me. Share my life in every way.”
Kai pulled back and looked at Jeremy, his golden eyes warm with love and happiness, and simply nodded.
Just then a burst of laughter from the group surrounding the champagne fountain broke the spell, and Jeremy took Kai’s hand in his and they rejoined the party. Several toasts to the newly married couple ensued, both serious and teasing, and there was much laughter and even a few tears. Jase and Carey were radiantly happy, and Jeremy was moved by the awe in their faces when they looked at each other, like they couldn’t believe they were really here, that this was really happening.
He was sure that same expression was on his face every time he looked at Kai.
The dual emotions of friendship and love, overlaid with gratitude for the blessings he’d been given, both now and in the past, overwhelmed him and he blinked back tears. Yes, there was risk, and there would be pain, because that was life. Wrapping his arm around Kai, pulling the man he loved close to him, all Jeremy could think was…
it’s worth it.
Available from
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A Resilient Love Story
What happens when friendship catches fire?
Former Marine and lower-leg amputee Carey Everett keeps a grueling schedule of counseling fellow war veterans and their families. The injury he received in Afghanistan forces him to rely on a reserve of strength he didn’t even know he had. A much deserved vacation will let him reconnect with his best friend, who saved his life and has been there for him through devastating injury and painful recovery.
Part-time EMT and aspiring singer Jase DeSantis has been in love with Carey for years, but he’s come to accept that his straight friend will never be able to offer more. Jase fills his days with band rehearsals, ambulance shifts, and willing groupies, all while trying to cope with debilitating PTSD.
A week of sun, fun, and music in San Diego changes Jase and Carey’s lives forever when their relationship takes an unexpected turn. Jase has been longing for that change, but it leaves Carey reeling with confusion. As Jase fights to hold things together, Carey deals with doubts, fears, and his own preconceived notions about labels and the true nature of love.
“This is one emotionally charged read and I loved it!
Everything Changes
is Melanie Hansen’s debut novel and I have to say for me it hit all the right buttons.”
—MM Good Book Reviews
“My first book by Melanie Hansen and certainly won’t be my last.”
—Prism Book Alliance
“This is by far one of the best books, if not the best book, I’ve read in 2015… From cover to cover a MUST read!!!”
—Love Bytes
“
Everything Changes
is a fast-paced, sexy read between two men who finally allow their true feelings and attraction toward each other. It is a very solid, interesting storyline that will easily grip many readers attention.”
—Top 2 Bottom Reviews
“Melanie Hansen has done a great job with this book, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store from her next.”
—The Novel Approach
MELANIE HANSEN
has spent time in Texas and Florida prisons…for work. She’s been in a room with a seventeen-year-old mass murderer who was also one of the most soft-spoken and polite teenagers she’s ever met. After a thirteen-year career as a court reporter, she can tell many stories both hilarious and heartbreaking.
She grew up with an Air Force dad and ended up marrying a Navy man. After living and working all over the country, she hopes to bring these rich and varied life experiences to her stories about people finding love amidst real-life struggles.
Melanie left the stressful world of the courtroom behind and now enjoys a rewarding career transcribing for a deaf student. She currently lives in Arizona with her husband and two sons.
Contact Melanie at:
Twitter: @MelJoyAZ
Email: [email protected]
Published by
DREAMSPINNER PRESS
5032 Capital Circle SW, Suite 2, PMB# 279, Tallahassee, FL 32305-7886 USA
www.dreamspinnerpress.com
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of author imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Signs of Life
© 2015 Melanie Hansen.
Cover Art
© 2015 Natasha Snow Designs
Cover Photo
© 2015 Andrew Christian
Cover content is for illustrative purposes only and any person depicted on the cover is a model.
All rights reserved. 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. Any eBook format cannot be legally loaned or given to others. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the Publisher, except where permitted by law. To request permission and all other inquiries, contact Dreamspinner Press, 5032 Capital Circle SW, Suite 2, PMB# 279, Tallahassee, FL 32305-7886, USA, or www.dreamspinnerpress.com.
ISBN: 978-1-63476-177-2
Digital ISBN: 978-1-63476-178-9
Library of Congress Control Number: 2015945754
First Edition September 2015
Printed in the United States of America