Love in the Balance (The Peachtree Series #2) - eBook

CHAPTER ONE

The bourbon was mediocre, the cake too sweet, and the music terrible, but Stephen Parker couldn’t think of a company party he’d enjoyed more. The source, unsurprisingly, was Russ Bishop.

He sat next to Stephen, laughing at something Peter Ingram said. Stephen didn’t know what the conversation was about—the music was far too loud in this portion of the room to hear anyone but the person directly next to him—but rather than attempt to join in, Stephen watched his easy camaraderie with Peter. Last year, Stephen had sat at a table much like this one, staring morosely into his drink and ogling Russ. He’d never dreamed he would become his lover, partner, and whole world.

Russ sat back, their shoulders brushing, handsome in a black suit, dark red shirt, and a red pocket square Stephen had tucked into his jacket before they left the apartment.

“I’m going to the bar,” Peter shouted over the music. “Either of you want anything?”

Stephen looked down at his empty glass. He and Russ were both pacing themselves tonight, but he had only enjoyed one glass so far, and they planned to be there a while longer. “I’ll go up with you.” He stood and glanced at his partner. “Russ?”

“Nah, I’m good for now.” Russ gave him a warm smile.

Stephen followed his friend and colleague across the room to the bar. It was set up in the far corner, away from the speakers, and he was grateful. “I always hope these parties will be better, yet they never are,” he joked as they got in line.

“Join the planning committee.”

Stephen groaned. “You couldn’t pay me enough. Those women.”

Peter chuckled. “They are quite upset you’re off the market.”

“I was never on the market,” he protested, “at least not for them.”

“They could hold out hope until Russ showed up. Now I think they’re taking bets on how long you’ll last.”

Stephen snorted. “They’re going to be waiting a long time then.”

A small smile played at Peter’s lips. “That serious, huh?”

“Isn’t it obvious?”

“You’re pretty reserved all around, so I doubt most people can tell, but yes, to me it’s pretty obvious. I haven’t seen you this happy in years—well, maybe ever. I don’t think Jeremy made you anywhere near as happy, even when things were at their best.”

“True.” They inched forward in line. “What about you? Are you still involved with”—he dredged up the name from deep within his brain—“Carol?”

“Yeah, I’m still seeing her.”

“How’s it going?”

Peter shrugged. “We’re taking it slow. She has kids—teenage daughters—which complicates things.”

“There’s always something, I suppose,” Stephen said. “But if it’s worth it …”

“Yeah.” They reached the front of the line, and Peter ordered his vodka on the rocks. Once Stephen had his own drink in hand, they stepped away from the bar but didn’t return to the table.

“So, what are your plans for Christmas?” Peter asked.

It was a few weeks away yet, but the early part of December was always busy for Stephen, so they hadn’t caught up in a while. “Russ’s sister and father are coming up to Atlanta for a few days.”

“Nervous?”

He nodded. “God, yes. Russ’s father is only eleven years older than me, and his sister was raised by a conservative Baptist aunt who taught her all gay men are headed straight to hell.”

Peter grimaced. “Fair point. I’d be nervous too.”

“Russ’s father, Alan, is remarkably tolerant. Given that his brother was gay and died of AIDS, it could have gone either way, but he genuinely seems to want his son to be happy, so I’m cautiously optimistic.”

“You sound surprised by his support. Isn’t that what all good parents want?”

Stephen’s smile took on a bitter edge, and he took a sip of his drink to hide it. “I wouldn’t know.”

“Sorry, man.” Peter reached out and squeezed his shoulder briefly before letting go. “So, Alan’s on board with your relationship then?”

“According to Russ, yes, but I suspect he would stay with me even if his father wasn’t. I desperately hope it doesn’t come to that, but I suppose we’ll see how it goes when we meet.”

“And the sister?”

He shrugged. “No idea how Addison will react. I know she has a lot of baggage from her upbringing, but Russ wants a relationship with her, and I’ll do whatever I can to make it happen.”

“Should make for an interesting Christmas,” Peter commented with a wry little grimace. “I hope it goes well.”

“I hope so too.” Stephen sipped his bourbon. “What about you?”

He tried to listen as Peter told him his convoluted plans for the holidays as both Peter and Carol juggled ex-spouses and children so no one got offended or felt left out, but he found his thoughts wandering. Marriage, divorce, and children were so far out of the realm of things he’d ever considered for himself and he felt a moment of gratitude for being gay. Maybe he’d been lonely over the years, but the thought of managing so many people’s expectations was exhausting. Then again, was his situation with Russ really so different? He was meeting the Bishops, juggling their family dynamics, and trying to find a way to make them happy, all for Russ. It was no complaint. He was happy to do it.

There was almost nothing he wouldn’t do for him.

Stephen’s gaze flicked over to where Russ sat, talking to Hugo—one
of the board members. He was impressed by how comfortable Russ seemed in any social situation, capable of appearing relaxed and confident even when he felt far from it. Despite the party setting, he had to be a little on edge, talking to one of the people who held the company’s future—not to mention his own—in his hands, but from a distance, Stephen could see his open posture and engaged expression. Damn, he loved him. That confidence would take him far. The men shook hands, and after Hugo left, Russ stood. He scanned the room until his gaze landed on Stephen. His face lit up with a smile that Stephen returned.

Peter nudged his elbow. “Go dance with your partner. I can see you eye-fucking him from here.”

“I wasn’t eye-fucking him, thank you.” He raised an eyebrow at Peter. “And is that advisable? Dancing with him, I mean.”

“Why wouldn’t it be? If our employees don’t feel comfortable dancing with their partners, no matter the gender, then our reputation for being a liberal workplace is nothing more than lip service.”

“So, dancing with my partner should be a political statement?” Russ was making his way across the room. Although it was clear he was trying to reach Stephen, he kept getting stopped. A tipsy girl in a sparkly dress and Santa hat stumbled into him, and she clutched his arm. He politely—if firmly—steered her to a chair, then continued on.

“Of course not.” Peter drained his drink. “All I’m saying is if you want to dance with Russ, you shouldn’t let anything stand in the way. It isn’t as though your relationship is a secret.”

“Well, yes, but I don’t want to make his career any more difficult than it needs to be.”

He shrugged. “He got the promotion if that’s what you’re worried about. His relationship with you didn’t factor in one iota when it was up for debate either. Everyone was impressed by his work, and the only argument I heard against giving him the position was based off his more limited experience compared to a couple of other candidates. Still, the vote was overwhelmingly in his favor. Russ is the new team leader for the market research analyst division.”

Stephen’s eyebrows rose. “As of when?”

“The Friday afternoon meeting. We planned to announce it this coming Monday.”

“And you expect me to keep quiet?”

“No.” A small smile played across his face. “Tell him tonight if you want. We’ll offer it to him officially on Monday, but it’s his if he wants it.”

“You know he does.”

“Then”—Peter gestured with his glass— “go dance with your partner, tell him the good news, and drag him home to … celebrate.” Stephen chuckled, and Peter said more seriously, “You both deserve this happiness, you know?”

“Sometimes, it feels too good to be real,” he mused.

Peter clapped him on the back. “I’ve known you for a lot of years, Stephen. I saw you with Jeremy and after his accident. I saw you when you believed you’d never fall in love again. This relationship with Russ—it’s made you a new man. You may not see it, but it’s changed you.”

“I know it has,” he acknowledged.

“It’s changed him too. He’s more confident, more at ease with his responsibilities. He seems more friendly and open with his team as well.”

“I can see the first two,” Stephen said. “I had no idea about the latter.” Despite working in the same office, they rarely saw each other throughout the day since there was little overlap between their two departments.

“I think he was lonely before. A little closed off. A little unsure of where he fit. Don’t get me wrong, he was doing well, and people liked him. But he’s really begun to shine and live up to his full potential. I know it isn’t easy being gay or being in a relationship with such a large age gap, but you’re both thriving because of it. We can all see it.”

“Thank you, Peter.” Stephen reached out and clasped his friend’s shoulder. “That’s wonderful to hear.”

“Good. Now go dance with your partner.”

Stephen merely chuckled as he left.

He sought Russ in the crowd again. He was in line at the bar now, and he held up his empty glass, mouthing, “Be there in a moment.” Eager to go to him, Stephen set down his own empty glass on a deserted table, then crossed the distance between them. Russ, distracted by something the person in front of him said, didn’t notice his approach.

He leaned in, whispering in Russ’s ear as he rested his hands lightly on his hips. “Dance with me?”

Russ turned to look at him, surprised. “Really? Are you sure?”

“Sure I want to put my arms around the man I love? Yes.” The earlier doubt he’d felt was gone. Peter had some valid points, and what Stephen wouldn’t give to feel Russ in his arms right now. Over the years, he’d conditioned himself to expect less than others simply because he was gay. Straight couples didn’t think twice about dancing with each other during the holiday party whether they worked together or not. Why should he?

Rather than reply aloud, Russ took his hand and pulled him toward the dance floor. Stephen caught a glimpse of several of their co-workers watching them, but he tuned them out as he wrapped his right hand around Russ’s mid-back and clasped his right hand in his left, drawing him closer.

Russ settled lightly against him, sliding a hand along his back in a warm caress as a male singer crooned about having a Merry Christmas in the background. Stephen smiled at him, the entire room fading as he looked into his eyes. Even in the dim room, with garish flickering green and red lights playing over his face, he was the most beautiful man Stephen had ever seen. Russ’s lashes dipped as he closed his eyes, and he let out a little sigh of contentment, softening against him.

Stephen closed his own eyes as they pressed their temples together, slowly swaying to the music. He had always hated Christmas music, found it saccharine and grating, but he’d associated it with crowded stores and pushy customers when all he wanted was to buy food for a meal he’d eat alone and some gifts he’d give to his assistant Elizabeth and a few friends. He’d thought he hated Christmas music, but it turned out, he hated being alone.

The warm puffs of air as Russ exhaled against his skin, the grip of their intertwined fingers, and the gentle press of their bodies together anchored Stephen as they moved in a slow circle. Time slowed as they got lost in their own little world, and Russ was all he could focus on. The warmth of his body was the only thing rivaling the warmth in Stephen’s chest.

Bone-deep contentment settled in and took root.

When the beat of the music changed to something cheerful and jazzy, Stephen reluctantly drew back, realizing how much he’d let his guard down. Discomfort at the public display of affection skittered over him, but Russ’s warm smile stopped it in its tracks.

“That was nice,” he said, his hand lingering on Stephen’s back although they were no longer tightly pressed together.

“It was.” Stephen glanced around and saw a few people watching them. Those who were had smiles on their faces, and both Elizabeth and Peter gave him huge grins. He smiled back and took Russ’s hand as they returned to the table. Although he had been out of the closet for years, he suddenly felt like he’d flung the doors wide open tonight.

The holidays had been Stephen’s least favorite time of year, and the work party had always been the worst of it. Between the endless parade of happy couples and families and the forced cheer, it had made him alternately lonely and angry. This Christmas promised to be different, and he felt confident—for the first time in many years—that it would be.

Then again, with Russ in his life, everything was different.

This ebook contains scenes involving parental abandonment and homophobia, death from AIDS, jealousy and the return of an ex.

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