4/5
4 Stars
I liked this more than I thought I would. Two very wounded souls who come together and stay together, even when a horrible action pulls them apart. Zach and Seth deserve happiness.
Zack: Ten years ago, I killed a man for the boy I love. Each week since then, he’s sent me letters, telling me the story of his life. He’s visited me every month in prison and with each passing year, I wonder when he’ll wake up and realize I’m not worth his time.
Seth: A decade ago, Zack took the fall to save my life. I’ve been waiting for him ever since. Zack’s the one for me, even if the stubborn man thinks I deserve better. I’ll do everything in my power to convince Zack that my life and my heart always belonged to him.
Be Warned: m/m sex
Excerpt:
“Seems like it’s your lucky day, Cruz,” the guard said. It was Ramirez, one of the younger ones who liked to chat.
“Seems like it,” he replied in the same dead tone he used. Emotion made one weak. He learned that during his time here, so he made his face impassive, his actions cold and ruthless.
“Hey,” came Ripper’s voice.
He looked over his shoulder to see the bald, big black man covered in ink standing, holding out a hand to him. A scarred face looked right at him. “Good luck out there, brother.”
Zack shook his hand, nodding. There was no need for any other words. Ripper went back to his top bunk and lay down and Zack looked at Ramirez. Being in this shit hole this long, Zack knew all the guards’ names. Once they figured out he wouldn’t cause them any trouble, they mostly left him alone.
Zack walked over to his bed and lifted the mattress to grab the letters under there, all written by Seth for him over the years. Each one was read so often the paper looked crumpled, the words smudged over.
I’m never giving up on you. I’ll wait forever.
Today, I went to the park and observed a happy couple on the other bench, laughing at each other’s jokes. Someday soon, we’re going to be those two. Someday, you’ll be right beside me, laughing at my cheesy and lame jokes.
Someday, these lonely years will only become a memory. We’ll shut that door to the past and walk the road to the future together.
Home’s waiting for you, Zack.
“I’m ready,” he told Ramirez.
