Free Boyfriend Chronicles 02 - The Boyfriend Mandate by River Jaymes

amazingly enough, the guy had remained silent for the last fifteen minutes of the drive to the city, occasionally massaging his temple. Clearly his head still hurt. Despite his obvious discomfort, Memphis jiggled his foot constantly. As if the risk of jostling his body were worth the release of pent-up energy.
    Julissa hadn’t been a beard .
    Tyler had meant what he’d said. He was glad Memphis hadn’t felt pressured to live a lie. No one should. But how could Tyler be expected to discuss the issue rationally when he couldn’t decide how the news affected him?
    Back in the day when he’d still wondered why Memphis had given up on their relationship, Tyler had managed to come up with plenty of possibilities. Possibilities such as Memphis had simply been bi-curious and, after test-driving a new lifestyle, had realized the way of life wasn’t a match. Or maybe he’d simply decided he didn’t want the added difficulties of living as a gay man. A bisexual label probably wouldn’t have been any easier—no doubt pure heterosexuals fit better in the testosterone-soaked world of a stuntman.
    None of these options had left Tyler feeling particularly good. Ultimately, though, the reasons were irrelevant because Memphis had married Julissa. And Tyler had learned firsthand that it was hard being replaced by another.
    Harder still when that new partner represented a rejection of your whole way of life.
    Judas Priest.
    He’d dealt with this years ago, so why give it a thought now?
    But he knew why. Memphis had been the first person to totally accept Tyler’s sexuality. Their months together had helped him solidify who he was and accept himself . When Memphis had married a woman, Tyler couldn’t view the act as anything other than a betrayal, a slap in the face. A rejection of everything he’d been: homosexual and, according to the laws at the time, unable to marry. Short of extensive surgery, estrogen replacement therapy, and a pack of lies, he never could have given the man boobs, a vagina, or a so-called “normal” life.
    But Memphis…
    Tyler’s lips twitched in humor as he remembered the stuntman’s equal-opportunity boner comment to the reporter. He’d looked almost eager for the words to be plastered in the paper. And to hear he’d never tried to hide who he was, and the way he wore his sexuality so proudly now by irreverently thumbing his nose at anyone who took issue with him being bi, well…all of this only added to his appeal.
    Tyler mentally let out a groan.
    Being around Memphis was getting more and more complicated. And Tyler was ready for some peace and quiet and some time alone . All the soul searching was exhausting. His ex’s presence even more so.
    Tyler definitely wanted to get Memphis settled in the guest bedroom before Noah returned home. With any luck, he could accomplish the task without losing his mind or the stuntman passing out.
    After parking the Jeep, Tyler kept an eye on Memphis’s movements as they crossed the parking garage, pleased his gait was steady. But once inside the elevator, the man dropped his duffel bag to the floor and leaned his head back against the wall.
    Tyler’s eyebrows drew together, and he pushed the button for their floor. “You okay?”
    “Just a little lightheaded,” he said, closing his eyes and giving a dismissive shrug.
    The gesture seemed forced, so Tyler positioned himself close by in case Memphis suddenly succumbed to the dizziness during their ascent. The scent of salt water and warm male filled the small compartment.
    “Let me know if you need to throw up,” Tyler said.
    “You’re standing so close,” he said, lids still shut. “You’ll definitely be the first to know if I puke.”
    Unfortunately, the elevators in this building were notoriously slow, leaving Tyler too much time to study Memphis’s reflection in the mirrored wall. His face still looked a little pale, but all in all, his color had improved. Tyler also noticed the wet jeans still