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

well-wishes such as everyone’s dying, you just know when and the ever-popular we’re going to miss you. Which was a nice sentiment in a fucked-up kind of way. And then there were the it’s all a part of God’s plan people.
    As if the Almighty Powers That Be had simply penciled in “Memphis relapse, Wednesday at two p.m.”
    “You’re serious about keeping this a secret?” Tyler asked.
    “Dead serious.” His lips twisted wryly until he caught Tyler’s questioning gaze. “Let’s just say I have my reasons and leave it at that.”
    Besides, the Patricks of this world needed public figures who provided proof that survival was possible. As a teen, Memphis had followed Lance Armstrong’s career as if the man’s very existence was a lifeline. So dammit, Memphis would maintain the strong, invincible survivor persona, too—minus the Armstrong-esque doping―if it killed him.
    “How is our relationship just becoming news, anyway?” Tyler asked.
    “Simple,” he said. “Since we only told family and a few close friends we were more than roommates, the information was kept quiet. And when my initial Fifth and Taylor ad campaign launched, I was already dating Julissa. No one cared about my relationship history. When we got divorced a year ago, everything changed. And then….”
    He raked a hand through his damp hair, the pounding in his head increasing again.
    “And then what?” Tyler prompted.
    Memphis dropped his hand to his lap. “And then a friend of Sean—our fucktard reporter, as Patrick would call him—overhead me talking about us to your buddy Noah at that party.”
    Just one more sin to add to Memphis’s ever-increasing pile of screw-ups that impacted Tyler.
    Waiting for the sarcastic thanks a lot from Tyler that never came, Memphis turned in his seat to study the dark hair and those gorgeous, gorgeous eyes. His lean runner’s form filled his clothes just right. His strong, capable hands had calmly assessed Memphis’s cut and seemed as unshakable as the man himself.
    Memphis had meant every word about not going to the hospital. But when he’d agreed to let Tyler babysit him tonight, he’d assumed the man would refuse. Now he was on his way to Tyler’s house and, hopefully, a bottle of ibuprofen, a shower, and someplace to lie down. If Tyler insisted on providing a really hot view, Memphis was good with that, too.
    Fate had decided to give him time off for good behavior. He’d have to remember to send her a thank-you card.
    As they drew closer to the city, Memphis realized he knew next to nothing about Tyler’s life, including where he lived. “Where are we headed?”
    “Pacific Heights.”
    Memphis let out a low whistle. “How does a physician who works for a free clinic afford to live in such an expensive neighborhood?”
    “I don’t,” he said. “We’re going to Noah’s. For the past few days, I’ve been staying with him.”
    Memphis frowned in confusion. “Why?”
    “Because,” he said dryly, steering his way past a slow-going car, “since my picture appeared in the tabloid, reporters have been knocking on my door trying to score an interview. I even caught one peeking in my window. The security at Noah’s is top-notch, so he offered me his guest bedroom until this blows over.” Tyler let up on the gas and eased back into the line of traffic. “No one gets inside his condominium building without permission.”
    “Noah won’t mind you bringing me there?”
    “Not at all,” he answered, sounding sincere. “Tonight he’s going out to dinner with some of my other friends, anyway. I decided not to go so they could enjoy dinner in peace.”
    In peace .
    God, he hated how Tyler had gotten dragged into the middle of the media circus. Memphis pursed his lips as he turned the information over in his head.
    “I don’t understand the fixation on you,” Memphis said. “I mean, everyone already knew you were gay.”
    Tyler tightened his grip on the steering wheel, his knuckles