Page 35 of Finding Shelter
Ledger nodded, but he still looked upset when he walked away. Thankfully, he was back in a flash.
“Thanks, angel.” He kept his tone light as he reached for the gloves, as if therewasn’t anything wrong. Kash pulled on the gloves and started sifting. Everything appeared brand new. Each item still had a price tag and was a high-dollar purchase. “This is definitely odd as fuck. My guess is this came from a fan who wants to support your work. I doubt anyone who means you harm would buy you something so expensive and perfect for you.”
Kash lifted the box. A card was underneath. “For fuck’s sake. I should’ve looked for that first.” Kash opened the envelope. “This mother-” Kash rolled his eyes and stuffed the card underneath his arm. He pulled off his gloves as he stood. “It’s from Ry.”
Ledger stepped out and stood close enough for them to readthe note together.
Hey, babydoll,
I spent some time thinking about our fight and your relationship with Kash. Obviously, I know what you see in him. I tried hard to get him into bed too. It’s always been difficult for me to resist a pretty face. You’re owed this one affair. Now we’ve spent some years playing, and it’s time to let me come home. I bought you these gifts to show how much I support your new career. You always had my back with the gym. Let me have yours now. Please, just think about it. We’ve been apart long enough.
I’ll always love you.
Ry
They looked each other’s way at the same time, wearing matching looks of annoyance and disgust. Ledger broke first. “My affair. As if we never got divorced and just letting things cool down. For years, apparently.”
Kash shook his head. He didn’t even know what to say. Ry’s bullshit was easily the most ridiculous crap he had ever seen. That was saying a lot since he had collected money from people who had nothing left thanks to drugs.
Unexpectedly, Ledger started laughing. Kash looked his way with raised eyebrows. Ledger laughed harder. He tried to speak and failed. Kash couldn’t help but smile at the show. Ledger’s laughter was genuine.
“Do you plan to let me in on the joke?”
Ledger held one finger up while he tried to get himself under control. “This dumb motherfucker really thinksI’d choose him. He really believes I’ve spent every day since our divorce waiting for him to get done playing. How fucking pathetic.” He swiped his eyes. His laughter faded as he met and held Kash’s gaze. “I really love you. More than I can say. Even though this entire mess with Ry is almost comical, his desperation makes me realize I’ve never been happier in my life.” His hands rose and fell. He looked at a loss for words. “I spent my life waiting for you. I just didn’t know it. You’re the one who’s my other half. I’ve just been waiting for you to come back to me.”
Kash tossed the card in the box and closed the space between them. He poured his entire heart and soul into the kiss he claimed. Ledger really was Kash’s everything. He was the only peace and shelter Kash had ever foundagainst a cruel world. Ledger truly had been right here in Kash’s hometown, waiting for when they would be a they. It was a real shame he hadn’t killed Ry years ago. But he supposed this moment never would’ve happened if he had.
Kash’s lips moved to Ledger’s cheek. He couldn’t move even a step away. All he wanted was to stay right here forever.
“That’s the plan.”
A smile exploded across Kash’s lips. “I didn’t mean to say that out loud. You really scramble my brain. It doesn’t even know what my mouth is doing anymore.”
Ledger chuckled. “I feel like I’m missing a golden opportunity here to say, ‘I’ll show what that mouth can do.’ But I’m not that type of guy.”
Kash threw his head back and roared with laughter at Ledger’s fuckboy impression. “Oh, my God. We’ll have the best life.”
Ledger’s eyes swam with laughter. Kash was so fucking in love with him. Every day, he couldn’t wait to see what happened next. He would be here for every second of their beautiful future. Ledger would never get rid of him now.
“Let’s do something fun.”
“Oh, I’m in.” Kash was so fucking in. He didn’t give a fuck what they did as long as theywere together.
Sitting hip to hip, Ledger waved at his phone clipped to the ring light. He knew the smile he wore was huge as hell. Ledger was happy, and he wanted the world to know it. He needed them to know why.
“Hey, everyone. I had to cut our live short yesterday. My baby deserves a proper introduction, and he doesn’t like the spotlight.” Ledger looked Kash’s way to check his reaction. He nearly madeLedger forget his plans. They were shirtless and playing to Ledger’s thirst-trap audience. Ledger realized this would mean people would likely stalk the fuck out of him now, but he couldn’t brush off what happened yesterday. Kash meant way too much to Ledger.
He forced his gaze back to the camera. “On that note, I’d love for you all to meet my soon-to-be husband, Kash.” He looked over, handing the floor to Kash.
Kash’s mouth lifted at one corner. Ledger stared at the smoking-hot man Kash had become. “Hey. Maybe stop sending my man disgusting DMs. He’s not free to play.”
A nervous chuckle escaped Ledger. He hadn’t expected that one, but he should have. That’s who Kash was. Man,he hoped no one noticed the way Ledger’s nipples hardened. He adored that possessive growl in Kash’s tone.
“You heard it here first.”
A sexy laugh rumbled over him. Fuck. He should have known the moment he had Kash remove a single article of clothing, Ledger would turn into a desperate mess ready to climb him like a tattooed tree.
Ledger cleared his throat. He tried to get back on track. “This is him. Kash doesn’t have any social media. He doesn’t like it. But he’s a bit of a badass, so I wouldn’t consider stalking him anyhow.” He was serious. Kash wouldn’t put up with anyone trying to come between them. That absolute truth landed on him like a ton of bricks. He had to wrap this up. Ledger saw all the hearts flying across thescreen. He knew this would be a hit if he stayed, but being punched in the chest by reality had him feeling needy. “That’s all I had for today. I just wanted you guys to meet Kash. That way, if he accidentally gets caught on a live again, you’ll know who he is. I’ll be back in a few days with a new recipe. Until then, love you guys and be safe.” He ended the feed.
For a moment, Ledger stared at nothing, letting his new life sink in. For twenty years, off and on, Ledger had lived in silent torture, wondering if Ry cheated and why. That really wasn’t his life anymore. He didn’t even realize his entire thinking about relationships had changed overnight until now. Ledger trusted Kash like no one else. Kash wasn’t playing. He would never cheat. That wasn’t him. He was rocksteady and all the way in this future marriage. Ledger really had this amazing life. He passed the threshold of feeling like this couldn’t be real to this was absolutely his life now. Ledger would never get enough.
“Are you okay?”
Ledger pulled away from his thoughts and focused on Kash. Kash looked worried. Ledger couldn’t have that. “I’m perfect. In fact, life has never been this wonderful. Let’s go back to the boardwalk. I think I want some cotton candy.” He felt so fucking young.
A bright smile exploded across Kash’s face. “If my prince wants cotton candy, that’s what he’ll get.” As Kash pulled his shirt back on, Ledger couldn’t look away. Love swelled in his chest. This was untildeath do they part. Ledger wanted to live forever.
