Boyfriend Chronicles 02 - The Boyfriend Mandate by River Jaymes Read Free Book Online Page A

predictable question.
    After only three years on staff, Sean McDaniel had taken over as lead paddler on The San Francisco Sun douche-canoe. The dude reeked of a homo hater. Either that or Sean was projecting.
    “Your fixation on my love life is interesting, Sean. I never lived in a closet,” Memphis said. Despite his thumping head, his smile grew bigger. “But when you grow tired of living in the dark, I’d be happy to boot your ass out of yours.”
    Sean’s smirk grew bigger. “Where’s the ex-wife?”
    “None of your business.”
    “Looks like you and Dr. Hall are getting back together.”
    Memphis led Tyler toward the Jeep. “You’re just disappointed because you were planning on asking me out.”
    The reporter turned to walk backwards in front of Memphis, a derisive set to his lips and his tone. Memphis had to give him credit. He was persistent. Although Memphis still hoped the guy tripped and landed on his ass.
    “I’m beginning to wonder if this whole thing was just a publicity ploy.” Sean didn’t even wait for an answer. “Who turns you on more?” he went on. “Guys or gals?”
    Memphis almost laughed. Was that the best the prick could do?
    “I’m an equal-opportunity boner kind of guy,” he replied. “Feel free to put that quote in your paper.”
    Tyler coughed hard, and Memphis briefly wondered what the heck was wrong with him. Unfortunately, he didn’t have time to ask due to the asshole journalist.
    Memphis kept his hand on Tyler’s arm and refused to stop even as Sean continued his heckling. They arrived at the Jeep without incident and Tyler hit the unlock button. Once they were inside, his ex started the vehicle. Tyler, cool-headed man that he was, smoothly backed out of the parking spot as the redhead persisted, jogging beside them and pounding on the side of the SUV.
    “How about an in-depth interview?” Sean called out.
    Really? The reporter made it too easy. The jokes almost wrote themselves.
    “Is ‘in-depth’ your secret code for a ride down Hershey Highway?” Memphis called through the window.
    Apparently the mention of taking it up the ass was Sean’s last straw. With a scowl, he cursed and gave the vehicle one more thump. Memphis blew him a mocking good-bye kiss as Tyler shifted the SUV into drive, stepping on the gas and leaving the guy behind. Soon, they were headed down the highway that would lead them back to San Francisco.
    After a minute of silence, Tyler slowly shook his head in an interesting mix of disbelief and amusement. “You had to egg the reporter on, didn’t you?”
    “Had to keep up the status quo.”
    “Why?”
    “I told you, I don’t want any rumors about an injury in the press,” he said, pulling off his hat and tossing it in the back.
    Tyler whipped out the droll tone. “Right,” he said, dragging the word out, “because being identified as a member of the LGBTQ community is no big deal. But a minor head injury? Now that would make life difficult.”
    Memphis grinned but didn’t bother trying to explain. He’d learned a lot during his two battles with cancer. In life, none of the small stuff mattered, and once you’d stared death in the face, well…it was mostly all small stuff.
    The public’s fascination with who he fucked amused the shit out of him. But an injury?
    Memphis rubbed his hands down the damp denim covering his thighs. A year and a half ago, he’d separated from Julissa, and a wave of stupid self-pity had led to a night out with his crew. One inebriated fall later, the moment captured forever by the tabloids, and instead of being labeled a drunk or a screw-up—the kind of small stuff he’d find amusing—rumors of a cancer recurrence had circulated.
    Jesus, he never wanted to live through that depressing onslaught of public reaction again.
    As the spokesman for Hope Heals, he constantly received letters from across the globe. One suggestion of a relapse and he’d been inundated with well-meaning but often tactless