Beautifully Angelic - Charity Parkerson Page 0,1
to choke. It was like ash in his mouth.
“Good. Now I’ll pack you the rest to take home. I expect you to finish every bite.”
Ezra nodded while praying he wouldn’t puke. Wrecker’s cake was probably delicious—like everything he cooked—but Ezra’s body was currently rejecting all forms on nourishment—like it fought its way to the grave, turning its back on living. The instant Wrecker wasn’t looking, Ezra spit the cake into a napkin before he humiliated himself with a round of dry heaves.
No one understood what it was like to be Ezra. Everyone wanted him to be pretty—like he was in the heavily photoshopped magazines he appeared in, but he wasn’t. Not really. Not on the inside anyhow. Declan knew that about Ezra. He saw that Ezra was ugly where it mattered most. That was why Declan didn’t love Ezra back and never would. That was why Ezra would always feel cold.
The scent of expensive coffee permeated the air, coating everything. Declan swore the smell alone nearly overdosed him with caffeine as he stepped through the front door at The Back Porch. Gay men always packed the large coffeehouse. Owned by an ex pro linebacker, The Back Porch served as sort of a haven for men who didn’t like the party scene. Declan didn’t care about that. Only one thing brought him here... well, one person. Ezra Thunder.
As younger brother to one of the most famous drummers in modern-day history, Ezra didn’t need to work. Ezra’s brother Jessie paid all Ezra’s living expenses. That didn’t stop Ezra from pursuing a modeling career, or—for whatever reason—serving coffee at The Back Porch. Declan only knew Ezra had been helping out around here because Declan stalked Ezra. Always. Declan worked as head of security for Ezra’s brother. Sometimes that meant taking care of Ezra too. His job had nothing to do with this. In fact, Declan was technically on vacation right now. Everyone thought Declan had been traveling the country the past five weeks. The truth was a lot more sordid.
Declan always took off six weeks at Christmas to throw himself into his biggest sickness—Ezra. Declan followed him. Watched him. Loved him from afar. He knew he was crazy, but this time of year was important. This was the time of year when Ezra almost died eight years ago. Declan hadn’t gotten over it. It seemed he had been right to be crazy. Ezra had that same look about him as he had that year. That was the only reason Declan had come out of the shadows over a week ago. He planned to spend what was left of his vacation time openly shadowing Ezra. Ezra could just get the fuck over it.
Declan chose an open table close to where Ezra stood. There was no way he missed Declan’s presence. At one time, Ezra might have rushed to Declan’s side with a smile and a hug. Now Ezra pretended Declan didn’t exist. Goddamn, he looked beautiful. Ezra was a small guy with pink highlights. He couldn’t be overlooked. All eyes always followed him. He looked exactly like someone whose face should be plastered all over every magazine. Even Ezra’s lips were perfect. They were full and pink, begging for kisses. His hazel eyes were always lit—like Ezra carried an inner light. Those gorgeous eyes never focused on Declan any longer. Declan had been coming to The Back Porch every single night Ezra worked for the past week, and every single night, Ezra pretended Declan wasn’t there. Declan had earned Ezra’s hatred. He couldn’t stop trying to fix it.
At fifteen, Ezra’s mom had passed away, leaving Ezra nowhere to call home. Jessie had taken Ezra in and moved from being Ezra’s brother to being more like a father. Declan had been twenty-six at the time and possessed zero interest in suddenly finding himself forced to oversee a teenager’s safety. He had signed up to tour with a metal band and live the life of a superstar, not babysit a moody teen. Declan had never expected Ezra, though. Ezra had shown up and immediately stolen everyone’s hearts. Declan’s more than anyone’s. For nine years now, Declan had managed to keep a safe distance, being only Ezra’s friend. Until Ezra had kissed him on Christmas Eve, that is. Declan had rejected Ezra. Things were fucked between them now, and Declan didn’t know how to fix it. All Declan knew was, he had to make them right again.
“Could I get some coffee?” Declan asked when Ezra was within