Of Stars & Lies Read Online Free

face.
    “Why do you keep stocking the fridge with beer? It's not like you can drink them with your meds.”
    “ I can't, but you drink them.”
    Content with the explanation, Cade smiles to himself. He digs into the bag to pull out a handful of triangle crisps and tries to shovel them all into his mouth in one go.
    Loveren turns back to the television to keep from staring at Cade as he stuffs his mouth to its limits in the least seductive way possible, but it is difficult. Orange particles spill over the tight grey t-shirt hugging his firm chest which Loveren admires with a side-ways glance.
    “W hy aren't you writing?”
    “ Hmm?”
    He slips his head back enough to see a cheese coated finger point toward the desk that's cluttered with research folders and books. Stories he has written but not yet typed are a jumbled mess hanging out the draw and thrown about. Future projects he planned years in advance are also there from when writing was the be all and end all. Or at least when it seemed that way because his mind would swamp with ideas and characters into the morning hours when he searched for sleep that wouldn't come.
    He cannot recall the last time he sat in the swivel chair to go over any work instead of spinning without purpose. He wants to blame his work at the bookstore, but that is not the problem. The pills may attribute to his lack of enthusiasm; he hasn't had the urge since starting the new batch. Even if he could get in the mood, he doubts he could put the passion into it like he used to.
    “ Why don't you write any more? You used to love sitting there, talking a mile a minute when you had a new idea.”
    Love lifts his legs and props them on the coffee table, then scratches at the light stubble along his jaw. He sighs and glances at the TV where he sees The Authority winding up the audience.
    “ Why do you keep coming around when you've got a boyfriend to bother?”
    He expects to hear a chuckle for the light teasing. Instead, his mate huffs and goes back to chewing his snacks in silence.
    Before the recording finishes, Cade drops the crisps on the table and rinses his mouth with a swig of beer.
    "Come on, go get your shoes on,” he announces before he clambers to his feet.
    “ Why? It's too late to be messing around.”
    Cade presses a button on the remote to bring the time up on the television. “It's not even seven.”
    “ But it's already dark,” Love argues as he gestures toward the window.
    “We better hurry then before it gets light,” he jokes with a wink.
    Wherever Cade is planning on taking him, he doesn't want to go. In fact, he'd rather slouch on the couch for the entire night and wonder where his ambition has gone.
    In the gutter with my glistening career.
    Cade is by the door mat slipping his trainers back on while he props himself against the wall. Love wishes he had his energy and the will power to get up and do something spontaneous. Those days disappeared when he swallowed that first pill.
    Perhaps it disappeared before then.
    “ Tell me where we're going first.”
    “ It's a surprise.”
    “ You know I hate surprises,” he reminds him. Yet, the innocence that greets him has him moving, despite his protests.
    “ Birthdays and Christmas must be your worst nightmare then. Don't you trust me?”
    “ If any of your previous schemes are anything to go by, then no.”
    “ That hurts,” he mocks. “Look, if you come with me, then I'll tell you a secret.”
    “ What secret?” He hates himself for having his interest peeked.
    What secret could he have after all these years?
    “ Jeez, Love. It's a secret, and I'm not telling you unless you come.”
    “I hate keeping secrets worse than surprises,” he grumbles.
    “ I said nothing about keeping one, did I?”
    Before Love can reply, Cade bounds out the door. A moment later, he pops his head back around the door and grins.
    “Hurry up. If you make me freeze out there waiting then you'll never know my secret. And, trust me, it's