#lovingblainers

“Uhh not that drunk, but it ismy birthday so Lea and Chord and Joey all demanded that I takeshots,” Darren explained, leaning gratefully into Chris.

“They demanded you take shots,huh?” Chris teased. “Held your mouth open and forced that topshelf tequila down your throat? You poor, poor dear.” He shut thedoor to Darren’s bedroom behind them, relieved when the raucous partynoise faded to a dull roar.

“Hi,” Darren whispered, meetingChris’ eyes for the first time all night, “I’m glad you’re here.”

“Did you really think I wasn’t goingto come?” Chris asked, slightly hurt.

“I didn’t know. Things have just beenso weird between us lately and we’ve barely talked all week. I didn’twant to get my hopes up.”

“I know,” Chris sighed. “That’smostly my fault. I’ve just been really stressed lately. I know I tookon too much, but I didn’t want to let anyone down. So anytime we’vehad even a two minute break on set, I’ve been writing because myfirst draft of the next book is due tomorrow.”

“Shit, that’s a tight deadline,”Darren winced. “Should you be writing right now? I don’t want to bethe reason you get behind. I know how important this is to you. Iknow I give you a hard time sometimes, but I can be less needy andmore patient,” he worried aloud.

“Shh, I sent the draft to mypublisher an hour ago,” Chris soothed.

“You did? Oh my god, Chris, that’sgreat!” Darren enveloped him in a tight hug. “I’m so proud ofyou,” he whispered in Chris’ ear.

“Thanks,” Chris grinned.

“Well, this calls for a celebration,”Darren said, clapping his hands together. “Let’s go get you adrink. I think I might still have some champagne in my fridge if youwant a proper toast.”

“Hang on, before we rejoin the party,I got something for you.” Chris reached down into his messengerbag, pulling out a small gift wrapped box.

“Chris, you didn’t have to…”Darren began.

“Hush, I know how much you likegifts,” Chris admonished. “Besides, it’s something small andsentimental.”

“You mean there’s not a yacht inhere?” Darren bantered back.

“Just open it, dummy.”

Darren grinned, tearing into the papereagerly. He lifted the lid off the box to reveal a neatly typedmanuscript. “Is this the one you turned in tonight?” he asked.

“Yeah, I wanted you to be the firstto read it,” Chris replied. “Turn to the second page.”

Darren did as instructed, finding anhandwritten inscription in Chris’ familiar scrawl.

To my Froggy,

Thanks for being the Prince CharmingI’ve always dreamed of. I’m with you until the end of the line.

Love always,

Chris