Novel Affair (NY Nights #1)

Chapter One

Ryker

“A writing partner? No fucking way! I am not collaborating with a phony-ass fame chaser like Wes Stewart.

I work alone, end of!” Ryker Desoumas stopped yelling to take a deep breath and pace the hardwood floors in his New York City loft, counting down from a hundred in his head to calm the rush of anger and anxiety that raced through his body.

Despite his success as a science fiction author, he was still a neurotic mess for the most part. Or maybe that was why he was such a prolific writer—he had so much crap in his brain to work through. As an introvert, a workaholic, and a self-admitted grumpy pain in the ass, he was best left alone. He kept to himself, his work, a few close friends and family, his pets, and the occasional hook-up with a hot man when he needed it.

What more could a thirty-three-year-old gay man want?

His friend and publisher, McIntyre Duran, chuckled on the other end of the line. Mac was a charming bastard, but wily as hell. The cool negotiator could convince anyone to do just about anything, and Ryker was next on his hit list. That low, rumbling laugh of Mac’s meant he was up to no good and plotting his next move.

“Phony-ass fame chaser? Man, you should use that line in your next book. That’s fucking awesome!” Mac continued to laugh for a bit, then cleared his throat. “But seriously, Ry, this is an amazing opportunity. I liked the first draft of 1,000 Days of the Darkest Planet, but maybe it’s time to switch it up. I know you’ve wanted to write a fantasy series with a gay romance angle for a while now, and here’s your chance. With both your names attached, it will sell to a wide audience, maybe even snag a movie deal. Wes Stewart is a celebrity author. Between his mysteries and non-fiction books, he’s an international bestseller.

Reputation and visibility equals success. Mainstream literature and media need more gay relationship representation. You and I have talked about this.” Ryker and Mac both came out in their teens.

While Ryker’s mother had always supported and loved him, Mac had not been so lucky. Mac no longer spoke to his very wealthy extended family, with the exception of his grandfather.

Ryker sighed and ran a hand over his three-day stubble. “Look, Mac, I want to write that series, but I work alone. I haven’t collaborated on anything since I worked at the Evening Post. And that didn’t end well, as you know.” He paused, shivering.

Thinking back to his days as a crime reporter was not a pleasant trip down memory lane. Whenever snippets of that life entered his thoughts, the nightmares returned. Mac knew the gist of what had happened to Ryker during that period in his life, but the details remained in Ryker’s mind, only to be shared with a shrink.

Running his fingers up his face and through his long black hair, Ryker paced again, glancing at the whiteboard hanging on the wall beside his desk. Book ideation was a unique process for every writer, and Ryker was no different. He started with his board, adding copious notes, pictures, and other items for inspiration and brainstorming. Then he moved into his organized chaos of character development and plotting. Looking at it now, he couldn’t imagine how he’d work with someone else.

“You could end up with a real-life murder story on your hands if I have to partner with someone else, especially Wesley Stewart,” Ryker said. “From what I’ve heard, he’s a charming, self-promoting tool. I’m a curmudgeon at the best of times. How’s that gonna work?” Shaking his head, he walked over to his desk with the view overlooking Central Park and glanced out the window.

The spectacular scene of the city below made his breath catch every time. Then his gaze caught on his tired reflection—shoulder-length black hair, beard scruff, and blue eyes with even bluer circles under them. He wore his usual uniform of ripped jeans, black t-shirt, and dark-framed glasses. After several nights of working rather than sleeping, he was in dire need of rest. And a haircut.

But why bother when he’d be stuck here for another week revising the first draft of his latest work in progress? Who did he need to impress?

“Jesus, Ry, you’re already dismissing the idea when you haven’t even sat down with us to discuss it and meet Wes in person. I know you’re opposites, personality-wise, but he’s a great writer. He’s versatile and has a huge fan base. Combining your talents could result in amazing things. He’s thrilled about a gay fiction series. He wants it to reach a large audience, something with depth and substance, and you can bring that.” Mac finished his response with so much passion Ryker put the call on speakerphone and clapped as the audience of one.

“Nice pitch, Mac. Bravo. And to your point, considering the self-help bullshit he peddles now, he’s badly in need of substance and depth,” Ryker replied sarcastically, crossing his arms and eyeing the phone in front of him. Christ, just the thought of upending his routine by having to work with anyone, especially an attention-loving narcissist, was making him sweat like a five-mile run.

Despite his snarky comment, Ryker pondered how to handle this situation. One teeny, tiny part of him was a little bit intrigued. Like an inch. Maybe two.

He would never admit to Mac that he had secretly read a few of Wes’s fiction books and they were pretty damn good. Intriguing plots with witty dialogue from a recurring character that made him laugh out loud—light, entertaining reads when you needed to unwind. But vastly different to Ryker’s novels in terms of the tone and length. And just because he enjoyed reading Wes Stewart’s books didn’t mean Ryker could—or should—work with him.

“And, Mac, he’s happy right now because he hasn’t met me yet. All he knows about me is what’s written on the book jacket, which is not much, considering I write under a pen name. I’m a fucking hermit compared to him! I’m not in this business to have my life plastered on the news, like he is.” He paused and lowered his voice to a low grumble. “So forget it.

Murder He Wrote can go find another writer to work with.” Ryker sat his ass down on the royal-blue sectional and took a deep breath.

“Ry, I’m asking you, as my friend, to keep an open mind about this. Please? Look, I have another meeting, so I gotta go, but we’ll talk more about this at dinner on Saturday, okay? You are still planning to be there, right?” Mac asked.

Mac held monthly dinner parties for his friends and business contacts, and there was always an eclectic mix of guests, which made for interesting conversation. Mac was generous and welcoming, and Ryker appreciated that he was always included. Ryker could handle dinner parties with limited guests, but big events were usually a no.

Much as he hated socializing, Ryker wouldn’t refuse Mac’s request. He wasn’t vocal about how much his closest friends meant to him, but he would always be loyal to them in whatever way he could. They had been through the good and the bad together over the years, and he would stick by them no matter what.

“Yes, of course I’ll be there. Is Cal going?” Ryker asked.

Callum Pattison was a mutual friend and a mixed medium artist and illustrator. His work had recently picked up the attention of established patrons in New York and beyond.

Besides his own work, Cal designed Ryker’s book covers.

Ryker was both in awe and slightly envious of his two closest friends and their ability to connect so easily with others. Ryker was always too much in his head to relax in social situations. Unless he had a drink or several in him, which didn’t happen often. At least, it hadn’t for a long time.

He had a curious feeling that might change Saturday night.

“Yes, Cal will be there to keep everyone entertained with his travel stories and unusual sexcapades. Shit, you never know what’s going to come out of that mouth of his,” Mac replied, laughing. Cal did not hide anything—his bisexuality, his opinions, or any thought he had about, well, anything.

Ryker sighed. “Better him than me. But I’ll do my best to socialize despite my grumpy demeanor,” he said.

Ryker knew Mac well enough to bet he was now rolling his eyes.

Ryker wondered how many people would be attending, but Mac was cryptic about details.

“And at dinner, don’t sit me next to anyone who works in media or public relations or…” Mac interrupted Ryker.

“Yes, bud, I know the drill. Just come and enjoy yourself, okay? You need some human interaction. I haven’t seen you in three weeks, and I worry. You get so wrapped up in your work, you don’t do anything else.” Mac’s voice was suddenly muffled, like he’d covered the receiver to speak to someone else. “Sorry about that, but my other meeting starts in a few minutes. Talk soon, okay?” “Later, Mac.” Ryker placed his phone on the arm of the sofa, crossing his left foot to rest on his right knee, his leg bouncing up and down. A prickle of unease crept up his spine and radiated into the back of his head.

Schmoozing at dinner parties and book collaborations. Fuck me! Ryker thought as he placed his hands over his face and wondered what else was next.

He continued his deep-breathing ritual, and his tension eased.

Ryker glanced around and took in the stillness of the apartment he loved, his perfect sanctuary. After his third bestseller, he’d splurged on a penthouse apartment on Park Avenue, and given that he spent most of his time here writing, it was well worth it.