His name was Jack. It wasn’t a famous name or an adventurous name, or even a poetic name. But to Mason Philips, it was the most beautiful name in the world, because it belonged to Jack Spencer. The man Mason had been dreaming about for the last ten years.
For Mason, it had been ten years of secret yearnings, stolen glances, and forbidden fantasies. You see, Mason was gay… and Jack was not. Or so Mason believed.
Erotic, Contemporary, M/M, Romance
Excerpt
Mason’s heart squeezed in anguish as he gazed across the backyard of his parents’ house and watched the man of his dreams lean down to kiss the cute little blond woman in his arms. The object of Mason’s desire was Jack.
It wasn’t a famous name, or an adventurous name, or even a poetic name. But to Mason Philips, it was the most beautiful name in the world, because it belonged to Jack Spencer, the man Mason had been dreaming about for the last ten years. And for Mason, it had been ten years of secret yearnings, stolen glances, and forbidden fantasies.
His problem was that Jack had been such a part of his life for the last ten years that he wasn’t sure what to do without the man. Mason had been just sixteen years old attending his brother, Randy’s engagement party when he had met Jack. It had been love at first sight. Mason’s feelings hadn’t changed in all that time, even after he had learned that Jack was straight.
Before Jack, Mason had never believed in the love at first sight hype. Now he wondered what he would do without Jack in his life. How would he survive without Jack’s dimpled smile, his easy laughter, and his warm presence?
Mason had spent the last ten years hiding his feelings from Jack and everyone else. He had gotten so good at it that it surprised him each and every time he saw Jack and his feeling resurfaced.
Mason ‘s spirits sank even deeper as he watched Jack flirt with Angela. It was time to give up his fantasies and bury his feelings for Jack, to move on with his life, before he had even less of a life than he had now.
With a heavy heart, Mason walked across the yard and sat down at the picnic table with his parents. He looked at them both for several moments as he tried to gather his courage together. He needed to tell them he was leaving. It wasn’t going to be easy. He was the baby of the family.
“Hey, Mom, Dad, can I talk to you for a few minutes?” Mason gave them a small, tentative smile.
“Sure, Mason, what’s up?” his mother, Janet, asked as she turned to look at him.
“Well, you know that I have just a year left before I get my Ph.D. in Psychology, right?”
“Yes, of course,” Janet replied. “What’s this all about, Mason?”
Mason’s hands twisted together. He really did not look forward to this part. “I’m transferring to another university. Georgetown University in Washington D.C. has a great program that I can attend while finishing my degree classes. I can get a minor in Applied Cultural & Community Socialization at the same time.”
“D.C.? Washington D.C.?” Janet croaked out as she reached an unsteady hand out for her husband’s.
“It’s a great program, Mom. I’ll still be getting my Ph.D. in Psychology, but with this minor, I’ll be specializing. It will go a long way toward getting my foot in the door with what I really want to do,” Mason rationalized.
“Oh, Mason, Washington D.C.? That’s so far away, honey. We’d never get to see you.”
“Sure you would. I’ll be home for holidays and stuff. Besides, I won’t be gone that long. I only have a year left.” Mason said, his voice thick and unsteady. He took a deep breath then raised his eyes back up to meet his Mom’s. His eyes clung to hers, analyzing her reaction. “This is something I need to do, Mom.”
He watched his mother gaze at him for several moments. He could see the tears in her eyes as she finally nodded her head. “Okay, Mason. If this is what you need to do, I understand. Just remember that we’re always here if you need us or want to come home.”
Mason smiled and reached over for his mother’s hand. He gave her hand a small squeeze. He knew his mother would understand, even if no one else did. She had always understood him. “Thanks, Mom. I promise I’ll come home as often as I can.”
As he looked past his mother to where Jack was standing with Angela, he didn’t know how often that would be. It broke his heart every time he came to a family function and had to watch Jack with someone else.
Professional Reviews
5 STARS - Rainbow Review
Mason has been in love with his brother’s best friend Jack for ten years. Watching Jack with one girlfriend after another has becomes too much for Mason to handle and he feels the need to make a clean break and start over somewhere else. Mason knows the change and distance will be hard but he does not realize how much it will change his life. When Jack finds out Mason loves him and has for some time, he sets out to get his man, but past promises and self-doubt make that easier said than done. As the two men struggle to get together, they are confronted with the added problem of Mason’s stalker.
Stormy Glenn is one of those authors who are able to put out one good book after another. Her characters, whether they are the alpha male type or not, are able to show their softer side as well as their strong side. The love they have for each other is clear for the reader to see, making the stories just that much more compelling. A Promise Kept is no exception. The love that Jack and Mason have for each other is so strong it is amazing that they were able to hide it so well. The story is also loaded with several strong secondary characters just screaming out for their own stories. A must read for any m/m lover.
Martin Powers wanted an ironing board for Christmas. Instead, he got . . . Matthew Kieler, a non-returnable gift, but a gift that kept on giving. A powerful tale of survival, compassion and unapologetic love in the time of AIDS.
