Author: Andrew Grey
Series: Hearts Entwined Book 2
Genre: M/M
Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Dreamspinner
Press
Release Date: Nov 17 2017
Edition/Formats Available In: eBook & Print
Blurb/Synopsis:
The attraction between Brent Berkheimer and Scott Spearman
peels the wallpaper, but Brent is Scott’s boss, and they’re both too
professional to go beyond flirting. Their priorities realign after Scott is
badly injured in an accident that costs him his hearing, and Brent realizes
what is truly important… he wants Scott.
Scott first pushes Brent away, fearing a new romance will
just add to his problems, but perhaps he will find unexpected strength and
solace in Brent’s support as he struggles to communicate with the world in a
new way.
Just as they decide the chance of a happy future together is
worth the risk, Scott and Brent discover darker challenges in their
way—including evidence that the “accident” Scott suffered may not have been so
accidental.
Scott was in a small room, the bed surrounded by monitors
with a number of tubes and cords hooked to him. His usually robust cheeks were
sallow, his normally intense eyes closed, his pouty lips pale.
“Please remain quiet.”
“Of course,” Brent said as he pulled forward the small chair
and sat next to the bed. He didn’t ask her a bunch of questions about how he
was doing because Brent knew she couldn’t really tell him anything without
specific written permission.
The nurse checked Scott over and left the room.
“Hey, Scott. It’s Brent. I wanted to stop by and see you.”
He blinked as Scott’s chest slowly rose and fell. “I read somewhere that people
can sometimes hear things when they’re out like this. So I hope you get
better.” He turned to make sure no one was around to hear him, then leaned
closer. “I should have told you how I felt.” He sniffed and took one of the
tissues from the box on the tray table. He reached for Scott’s hand and slid
their fingers together. Brent probably didn’t have a right to do that, but he
wanted Scott to know he was there.
To his surprise, Scott’s fingers squeezed his just a little.
At first, he wasn’t sure it was real, but Scott did it again. Brent gently
rubbed the back of his hand but received no further movement in response.
“Are you Brent?” a man who had to be Scott’s dad asked. He
looked so much like him, only an older, more weathered, and very worried
version, with touches of gray in his hair.
“Yes,” Brent whispered, setting Scott’s hand back on the
blankets, his cheeks heating. “I was just trying to make a connection with him.
I think he might have squeezed my hand a little.” He wondered what Scott’s
dad—and then his mom as she followed him inside—must be thinking with him
holding Scott’s hand.
“He did that last night before we left. It’s the only
indication that we’ve had that he’s there and knows we’re here.” Scott’s mother
approached, and Brent stood to give her the chair. She sat, gently stroking
Scott’s hand. “Is there something between you and my son?” She lifted her gaze,
and it was like she was looking deep into his soul. It was immediately evident
where Scott got his amazing eyes, even if hers were red and definitely filled
with concern. “I heard what you were saying to him before we came in.”
“Don’t mind Carolyn. She has bat-like hearing sometimes.”
Reggie stepped to the other side of the bed, looking at Scott. If Brent were to
hazard a guess, Reggie was willing his son to wake up. The worry and sheer
willpower were written on the lines of his furrowed brow.
“Reggie,” she said gently, then turned to Brent. “Scott
talked about you all the time. I think he may have a crush on you.” She looked
him over. “I can see why, but aren’t you a little old for him?”
Brent nodded. “That’s why nothing ever happened.” He turned
back to Scott, not believing he was having this conversation. “I’m his manager
and….” There were so many reasons why he’d never said anything to Scott, though
all of them seemed too stupid now. Scott lay on the bed, largely unmoving, and
none of Brent’s reasons mattered. All that did matter was that Scott would
recover and get better again.
“I see,” she said, as though there were some great meaning
behind Brent’s words. “He told me about the time the oil gun sprang a leak and
he got sprayed. You got the oil shut off and him out of there and cleaned off
so fast, before it could get in his eyes.”
“He told you that?” Brent closed his eyes, stifling a groan,
as his cheeks had to be turning beet red. He’d cleaned Scott off and had damn
near kissed him just because he was relieved Scott was all right. Just as he’d
gotten close, Scott had opened his eyes and their gazes had met, but Brent had
backed away. His cowardice had taken over the way it usually did.
Carolyn nodded. “He said you were gentle and made sure he
was okay before everything else. Then you apparently took apart the equipment,
fixed it, and made sure that didn’t happen again.” She smiled. “Scott tells us
stories about work all the time, and many of them featured you.”
What was he supposed to say to that? Brent wanted to hide
and lick his wounds somewhere. It seemed that the teasing and flirting Scott
had done was more than just playing. Brent had never been sure, but now he
knew. Scott had cared and might have been truly interested, but now it might be
too late.
“That’s so nice to know.” Brent couldn’t help looking at
Scott and wondering what might have been if he had just had the guts.
