Love Means_. Freedom - Andrew Grey

free.
    He lost track of time, but eventually his door opened and then he felt a pair of hands on his shoulders turning him over before a tear-wavy Jasper pulled him into a hug. "Just let it go."

    Preston felt sadness wash over him as he did as Jasper said, letting the controls on his grief fall away. He heard a knock on his door, and Jasper moved slightly, but nothing more. Finally, as his tears subsided, Jasper pulled away. "What happened?"
    Preston wiped his eyes. "We were supposed to go out tonight, but he called and told me he'd been seeing someone else." "The bastard." Jasper shifted on the bed. "I always knew the man was an ass. I swear he was only dating you because of your dad and his money." "Why didn't you tell me?" Preston shifted on the bed, trying to sit up again.
    "Would you have listened?" Jasper waited for an answer, and Preston avoided his gaze. "I didn't think so." Then Jasper smiled. "But he's gone now."
    "What are you so fucking happy about? Kent's gone and no one will ever look at me again!"
He was about two seconds from throwing Jasper out, but the man just scoffed at him.
"Did you ever think that maybe this was a good thing? Maybe, just maybe, something good could come out this whole ordeal, and you might meet someone with something between his ears, unlike the vapid Kent."
    "Like what? What good could come out of this? More sexy scars and additional therapy." He was being pissy, but he didn't care. Jasper got up from where he sat and glared down at him, and Preston thought he might have gone too far, but he really didn't give a fuck. "You're way too caught up in the way that everyone looks, from their faces to their clothes.
    That's all you think matters." Jasper leaned closer, getting in Preston's face. "I've got a news flash for you, there's a whole big world out there of people who don't happen to be 'pretty.' Maybe it's time you developed more depth than an overturned saucer!" Preston was stunned into silence; he'd never heard his friend talk that way.
    "I'm not that way," he protested feebly.
    "When I met Derrick, you told me I should dump him, that I could do better. You remember that? Derrick, the man who stayed by your bedside with me the entire time you were in the hospital. The man who brought you home and carried you into this room, settled you in this bed." Jasper lowered his voice. "Remember when it hurt so bad you wanted to die and it was Derrick who held your hand and cried right along with you?" Preston nodded his head before lowering to look at the bedding. "He's the person I should have dumped because he isn't a muscle god or some pretty boy."
    Had he really been that terrible? "Why didn't you say this before?"
    "Because I kept hoping you'd grow out of it. Derrick is the most incredible person I've ever met, and he's beautiful because he loves me, truly loves me." Preston felt Jasper's hand slide into his. "There's nothing like waking up next to someone who truly loves you, and Kent never loved you, no matter what you might think. Because if he did, he'd be the one sitting where I am right now."
    "Jesus." Preston swallowed. "Don't I get a little sympathy?"

    "You've had enough sympathy for yourself to last a lifetime--it's time you got off your butt. I saw determination in you today, so take that and use it in the rest of your life. Kick Kent to the curb and find someone better, truly better."

    "I knew you were a complete sadist." Preston smiled for the first time since Kent had called.
    "Speaking of sadistic, I was calling you earlier because I found out about a new type of therapy I'd like you to try." Preston groaned, rolling his eyes, and Jasper slapped him on the shoulder. "This will be fun, I swear." He actually held up his hand. "There's a place between here and Scottville that does therapy riding. They'll put you on a horse and teach you how to ride. It's great exercise and it'll help you strengthen your legs."
    "You've got to be kidding. I don't know the first thing about horses." But the idea did hold some interest. "Can they really get me on one of those big things?"

    "Yes, and they'll teach you how to ride. It's worth a try, and it'll get you outside. They're certified, and I met the man who runs the program and his partner a few days ago. He's something else." Jasper set a card on the table near the bed. "Think about it."
    "Did I hear you say partner? I assume you don't mean business partner."
Jasper smiled. "I mean the good kind of partner. The farm's owned