Suddenly, Last Summer

Michael Robert Suddenly, Last Summer Copyright © 2023 by Michael Robert All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission. This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental. First edition Editing by Black Quill Editing This book was professionally typeset on ReedsyFind out more at reedsy.com For Mom, the queen of the fade-to-black Harlequin romance book readers. You would have loved telling your friends your son wrote steamy MM Romance books. You would have proudly read every one. Contents AcknowledgementPROLOGUE: JordyCHAPTER ONE: TreyCHAPTER TWO: JordyCHAPTER THREE: TreyCHAPTER FOUR: JordyCHAPTER FIVE: TreyCHAPTER SIX: JordyCHAPTER SEVEN: TreyCHAPTER EIGHT: JordyCHAPTER NINE: TreyCHAPTER TEN: JordyCHAPTER ELEVEN: TreyCHAPTER TWELVE: JordyCHAPTER THIRTEEN: TreyCHAPTER FOURTEEN: JordyCHAPTER FIFTEEN: TreyCHAPTER SIXTEEN: JordyCHAPTER SEVENTEEN: TreyCHAPTER EIGHTEEN: JordyCHAPTER NINETEEN: TreyCHAPTER TWENTY: JordyCHAPTER TWENTY-ONE: TreyCHAPTER TWENTY-TWO: JordyCHAPTER TWENTY-THREE: TreyCHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR: JordyCHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE: TreyCHAPTER TWENTY-SIX: JordyCHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN: TreyCHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT: JordyCHAPTER TWENTY-NINE: TreyCHAPTER THIRTY: JordyCHAPTER THIRTY-ONE: TreyCHAPTER THIRTY-TWO: JordyCHAPTER THIRTY-THREE: TreyCHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR: JordyCHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE: TreyCHAPTER THIRTY-SIX: JordyCHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN: TreyCHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT: JordyCHAPTER THIRTY-NINE: TreyCHAPTER FORTY: JordyCHAPTER FORTY-ONE: TreyCHAPTER FORTY-TWO: JordyCHAPTER FORTY-THREE: TreyCHAPTER FORTY-FOUR: JordyEPILOGUE: JordyAbout the AuthorAlso by Michael Robert Acknowledgement Thank you to my husband, author Garry Michael. I love you in a forever sorta way! I couldn’t do this without your love. Thank you for always being the number one fan of all things I attempt in life. To the friends that have joined me on the journey of writing my seventh novel. I thank you for your love and support. I came to writing later in life and appreciate the encouragement and support as I make my way. To Tina A, Lyndsay, Dawn B, Vince, Gena, Stefka, Miss Mock, Jeris, Britney B, Nedra, Renate, Andrea M, Ashlyn, Zane, Emma, Emma-lou, Sionna, Melony, Azalea, thank you for being such tremendous supporters in my writing career. I’m sure I’ve missed several people who support my work but thank you for your continued support. To my favorite couple on our planet, Sam/Dar, thank you for always supporting my endeavors and truly wanting the best for my career. To the best ARC Team. Thank you for taking your valuable time to read my latest book. Your words of encouragement and willingness to help are always appreciated. To Garry, thank you for the amazing cover design and promotional edits you created for this book. Once again supporting your husband like only you can. To all the Indy authors out there, thank you for sharing and posting. You have been the best hype team for my novel. To all the bloggers, bookstagrammers, and book fanatics, I thank you for everything you’ve done to help promote my new novel. Without your support, success is difficult to achieve. Last but certainly not least, the readers. I want to thank you for embracing my seventh novel. I hope each and every one of you connect with this new story. Be sure to look for my next novel, Rescue Me, coming spring 2023. PROLOGUE: Jordy Five years ago “Where is he?” I asked, setting the final packed box on the counter. “Probably down at the dock,” Mrs. Barnes answered. Her back was to me as she finished with the dinner dishes. “You think he’ll come up to say goodbye before I have to leave?” I couldn’t see him but knew he was most likely securing the resort’s watercraft for the night. She wiped her hands on a dish towel, tossed it on the counter, and joined me at the sliding glass door overlooking the lake. We watched her youngest son while he busied himself at the dock. “He’s hurting, Jordy.” I let out a small laugh but not because I was being insensitive. “Just like every other summer, isn’t it?” I asked. “It seems worse this summer,” she said. “Since you and Brock started college, he hates the coming of September. I guess it’s too quiet for him with just Mom and Dad around.” Mrs. Barnes took a long breath in before sighing deeply. “Imagine how he’s going to feel when you graduate medical school this year and he finds out you won’t be able to help us out any longer?” “I’ll be back,” I defended. “Are you saying you don’t need my help next summer?” “You’ll be starting your residency after this year, son. I expect you’ll have to move to wherever that is next summer.” “Let’s hope that happens, Mrs. B.” I turned to face her, expecting a hug. “I haven’t received a hospital matching letter yet,” I added. “It’s competitive trying to get my first choice, so hopefully I’ll know where that is in a few months.” “You are the single brightest kid I know, Jordy. Don’t be so modest,” she said, wiping something off of my shirt and fussing like mothers tend to do. Mr. and Mrs. Barnes had been my surrogate parents ever since the accident, and I missed mine terribly. “You better not let Brock hear you say that,” I said. She giggled. “Even Brock knows that.” She glanced back toward the lake. “Can you check on him before you leave, son? I think he’s twice as upset today’s the day you’re leaving. You’d think he’d be missing his actual brother more than you.” “I’ll head down after I load that final box.” I headed for the back door and the driveway before remembering an important rule. “Oops!” I turned back and found her scowling at me. “You know I wouldn’t leave without one of your hugs, Mrs. B.” “As I thought,” she said, arms open wide for me. We embraced and she kissed my cheek as a diversion while stuffing