Boyfriend Chronicles 02 - The Boyfriend Mandate by River Jaymes

white, and there was a two-second silence before he answered. “Some people think sleeping with me drove you straight.”
    Jesus Christ. Forget the bloody thank-you card, Fate didn’t deserve the sentiment.
    “You’re fucking kidding me,” Memphis said.
    “I’m afraid not,” he said with an even tone.
    Memphis cleared his throat, opening and closing his mouth several times. How did he even begin to apologize for that kind of ignorance?
    “I’m sorry,” he finally said, which hardly felt adequate.
    Tyler’s gaze ticked in his direction before returning to focus on the lane of traffic ahead.
    Of all the things Memphis had to feel guilty about—and damn it to hell and back, he had plenty—this was one he hadn’t even considered. And why hadn’t Tyler mentioned this the day of the photo shoot? In retrospect, Memphis could totally understand why he’d wanted to end their deal. Instead, Tyler had shown up, kept his end of the bargain, and maintained a remarkable stoicism. Almost too stoic.
    “You know it’s not true,” Memphis said quietly.
    His easy reply sounded a little forced. “Good to hear you confirm it.”
    The roaring sound of a passing semi filled the Jeep and then slowly faded away as the truck left them behind. Memphis frowned. This time, Tyler’s words didn’t sit well, as though he wasn’t invested in the answer either way.
    “Our sex life was hot.” Memphis studied Tyler’s profile. “You remember that, right?”
    Because, damn, he did.
    “We were barely out of our teens, Memphis. What I remember is you leading and me following,” he said. And then he bit his lower lip for a moment, a small muscle bunching in his cheek. “And then you went on to marry a woman.”
    Well…hell. How was he supposed to respond to that? He waited for Tyler to explain his comment, because, honestly, this was one of many discussions they should have had the very first day. Perhaps it was too much to expect a heart-to-heart right off the bat, especially after a ten-year gap. But Tyler seemed in no hurry to clear the air.
    In fact, he seemed determined to avoid the past completely.
    Memphis studied Tyler carefully. “You weren’t an experiment for me.” And because he absolutely refused to be anything less than honest, he added, “And Julissa wasn’t a beard.”
    A good number of people believed his relationship with Julissa had been a sham, a ruse to fool the public and hide his “gayness.” What a flaming pile of shit. In the beginning, they’d been really happy together.
    Tyler didn’t move except for slight adjustments in the wheel, his shoulders stiff. “I’m…” He cleared his throat. “I’m glad you didn’t feel like you had to fake a marriage.”
    His tone was sincere, but the words were spoken carefully, and Memphis had the distinct impression there was an I can’t do this right now buried in there somewhere. But Memphis refused to heed those warnings anymore, implied or otherwise.
    In the beginning, it had been easier to ignore their unfinished business—and the undercurrent of tension that colored their every conversation—in hopes things would eventually improve. But with each encounter, the status quo was beginning to feel really fucking inadequate.
    And now he had a headache to deal with and a night with his closed-mouthed ex-boyfriend to endure. A whole night with Tyler…
    Jesus.
    Memphis tamped down the buzz of desire at the memories the thought brought and discreetly adjusted his half-hard dick beneath the wet jeans.
    Christamighty.
    His head throbbed, he stunk of fish, and his skin itched from the salt water drying on his body. Wet denim was plastered uncomfortably to his legs. How could he possibly be turned on? Tyler leaned forward to turn on the radio, bringing the scent of his cologne with him, and memories of their first time together engulfed Memphis…

Chapter Four
    Ten Years Ago, Bay Area University
    Memphis woke with a boner big enough to split briefs made of