For Now (Broken Promises #1) Read Free Page A

laughter and glares coming our way from the wait staff.
    “What century did we just walk in to?” I whisper as we take a seat in a back corner booth. “These women are wearing uniforms from the sixties and I didn’t even realize people still smoked cigars!” I laugh as Lane’s eyes peruse the outdated diner.
    “I always thought it’d be cool to own a place like this. Not high class, not too fancy for its own good. Just hometown, small, down to earth diner.” His voice sounds regretful, which worries me. Is he quitting modeling?
    Shit.
    “You know, you’re still young, Lane. You’re not even thirty yet. There’s still time to do this if it’s what you want.” Please don’t say you’re firing me and quitting modeling. Please tell me I’m nuts. Please don’t quit on me .
    He smiles at me and thinks for a moment then shakes his head and chuckles.
    “I’d fail miserably at this job, Al. You know I know nothing about making a cup of coffee.” He chuckles and a smile plays on my lips.
    “You know, if you quit modeling to do something like this, I’m going to be out of a job…” I trail off, watching him raise his eyebrows at me. His perfect eyebrows. Above those perfect baby blues. “I’ve been known to make a mean cup of coffee.” I grin and he laughs.
    “Yea… well that isn’t an option at this point.” He trails off and his eyes fall to my hands on the table. “I’m happy I didn’t go out tonight.”
    “Anything you wanna talk about?” I take the water the waitress brings us and squeeze my lemon in and stir, waiting for him to decide if he’s going to tell me or not. Eventually he will, but from the way he’s been acting today I can tell whatever it is, it’s fresh. I’ve known him for long enough to know he sometimes needs time to process things before he’s able to talk about it. Maybe it has to do with his past or maybe it’s just a way he’s learned to guard himself, but I know not to pry.
    “I don’t know… maybe I’m just starting to look at my life and everything I wanted to accomplish… and everything that I haven’t.” He shrugs and takes a deep breath, looking anywhere but at me.
    “You’ve done so much though, Lane. Sure, there’s no family or any of that shit, but you’re still young. You’ve made a huge name for yourself, man. That’s huge for someone who’s not even considered middle aged yet.” I grin, knowing how much he hates that term, and relax a little when I see the grin sweep across his face.
    He doesn’t talk any more about what’s bothering him and I don’t push. I know he’ll tell me in time, but that doesn’t stop my mind from wandering to the what-if’s. What if his brother reached out to him? What if his parents died and he has to go back there? My mind races through our entire meal and once we’re on the way back to my place, he reaches over and takes my hand, immediately sending feelings I don’t need to have for my best friend through my body. By the time we get back in the car I’m ready to get home and go to bed, leaving all these feelings behind.
    “You cool? You’ve been quiet. Steve didn’t… try anything… did he?” He tries to make his voice threatening but fails miserably.
    “No, Lane. Steve was just lame. I’m fine, just tired.” I lie, but that’s better than getting into it tonight over what’s bothering him. That, and I really need to get out of this car. It feels so small and I feel so small next to his muscular build. I can’t be this close to him and trust myself.
    Dumb, I know, that after all these years I still lust after him but I don’t think it’s lust anymore and I’m deathly afraid of losing him. So instead of going for what I love, I try to stay hidden.
    “I’m going out with the boys tomorrow. Down to the coast I think… sooo…” he trails off awkwardly. I slug his shoulder because wanting to reach over and kiss the weird look off his face isn’t an option.
    “Good. Have fun and relax…