Love Means No Shame - Andrew Grey

budget could both use a break. “Maybe tomorrow night.” One could stay inside just so much.

    Raine started laughing. “You had me worried for a second.” They both laughed companionably and finished their workouts.
    The small locker room was empty when they got done. Geoff stripped off his sweaty clothes and headed for a quick shower. He’d just started the water when he felt a snap on his butt. “Jesus!” His ass stung where Raine had towel-snapped him. Geoff twisted his towel and snapped it in retaliation, but Raine ducked out of the way.
    They were both laughing as Geoff climbed in the shower and rinsed off, rubbing his sore cheeks.
Getting out of the shower, he dried off and got dressed. Raine was waiting, and together they walked back to their work area.
    Geoff went right back to work, combing the ledger for the error he knew was there… somewhere. He could hear the room buzzing, soft voices talking animatedly, but paid no attention.
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Rumors flew through the place with the speed of a bullet, but he made a special effort to stay out of the rumor mill.
    He’d just found the error and was logging into the system to correct it when he heard a soft knock on his cubicle wall. It was Angela, the director of accounts payable.

    “Geoff, I want to introduce you to Garrett Foster, the new AP

    manager.” Geoff stood up and greeted his new boss, extending his hand and looking into the man’s eyes. Jesus Christ… he almost pulled his hand back but restrained himself, checking that he was keeping his expression even.

    “Good to meet you, Garrett.”
    The tall blond flashed a brilliant smile, “Looking forward to working with you, Geoff.” Taking Geoff’s hand, he held it a little longer than he should have and then let go. Geoff had to stop himself from shivering. Then, with one of her bright, fake smiles, Angela led Garrett off to meet the rest of the team.
    Geoff collapsed back into his chair, and a few minutes later Raine was standing in front of his desk. “Was that…?” Geoff nodded slowly. “Mr. Vain himself, yup.” Raine started to chuckle and covered his mouth with his hand to keep from laughing out loud. “Your boss is Mr. Vain.” Geoff held his head in his hand. “Oh God, I knew this was going to catch up with me someday.” Raine leaned close. “Who knew it would be so soon?” Raine gave him his best sympathetic look. “Sorry, man.” Then he was gone.
    Geoff tried to concentrate but couldn’t. His new boss, Garrett Foster, was a guy he’d gone home with about a month earlier. They’d had a reasonably good time, but Garrett—at the time, his 8
Love Means … NO SHAME
    name was Phillip—had been a rather selfish lover. His bedroom was covered with mirrors! He and Raine called him Mr. Vain because the song was so about him. The man never passed a mirror he didn’t like. Geoff wasn’t interested in seeing him again, and Garrett being his boss was an added complication Geoff didn’t want.
    At quitting time, Raine was at his desk right away, and Geoff packed up his things so they could leave as quickly as possible. “Wanna go for dinner?”
Geoff didn’t really feel like going anywhere. “I’m just going to go home.” You get what you put out.
“Then let’s get a pizza delivered and veg out.” Raine knew what Geoff needed, even if Geoff didn’t.
    “Okay.” They made their way out of the building and back to Geoff’s place, where they ordered a pizza. They’d just finished eating when the phone rang.
    “Geoff, it’s Len.” The man sounded choked up, and Geoff stiffened. “It’s about your dad.”
His father had been fighting cancer for a while, but the last time Geoff had spoken to him, he’d said he was feeling really good. “Do you need me to come home?” Geoff asked.
    “Yes.” Len’s voice broke. “Geoff, he passed away.” He heard tears coming from the other end of the line, and he felt his own well up in his eyes as a huge lump swelled in his throat.

    “I’ll be there as soon as I can.” Geoff hung up and turned to Raine, his lower lip quivering as he tried to maintain control of himself. “It’s my dad. He passed away this afternoon.” Raine pulled him to his chest and hugged him, letting Geoff cry on his shoulder.
    Once the tears subsided, Raine spurred into action. “You need to get home. Are you gonna drive or fly?” 9
Andrew Grey
Geoff wiped his eyes on his sleeve, “I’d better drive. It’ll be just as fast.”
    “Then