Free Fiction Friday: Second Shot – The Senior Year – 44

Free Fiction Friday: April 10, 2015:

Second Shot – The Senior Year: Chapter 44:

I started the year putting the links to the last five chapters before each post I noticed they were being used so I’m going to continue it for the time being. If nothing else it will make it easier for folks to find the last few chapters.

Chapter 39:

Chapter 40:

Chapter 41:

Chapter 42:

Chapter 43:

It had been a while since Jason had been to his grandparent’s country club. The way staff looked down on him and his friends had always irritated him, but never more than tonight. Both Blake and Peter were overly conscious of the issue.

“Stop worrying.” He heard his brother say. When he turned, he saw Dean talking to Blake. “Just ignore them. Pops won’t treat you like that.”

That was the truth. Their grandfather had been thrilled that the ‘Miller boy’s friend’ could make it. Jason hoped Blake was prepared for the onslaught of questions from Pops. Peter squeezed his hand and Jason looked over.

Peter nodded toward the archway and Jason saw his grandfather coming toward them.

“Mr. Henry? Did you need something?” the annoying host said in his most fawning voice.

When Jason and his friends showed up, the man had been dismissive. Even more so after he noticed Jason and Peter holding hands. He’d made no effort to take them to their table, telling them he’d need to check with their ‘party’ before he could let them back.

Jason nearly asked to see the manager. He’d been coming here since he could remember and Gary had taken over as manager when Jason was ten. Gary’s son also played soccer, so they’d talked often about how Jason and Dean were doing. Continue reading Free Fiction Friday: Second Shot – The Senior Year – 44

Free Fiction Friday: Second Shot – The Senior Year – 43

Free Fiction Friday: January 16, 2015:

Second Shot – The Senior Year: Chapter 43

I started the year putting the links to the last five chapters before each post a couple weeks ago and I’ve noticed they’ve been used so I’m going to continue it for the time being. If nothing else it will make it easier for folks to find the last few chapters.

Chapter 38:

Chapter 39:

Chapter 40:

Chapter 41:

Chapter 42:

“A tie?” Darryl twisted the blue and red knot around the pale blue button down dress shirt. “They couldn’t pick somewhere that we could dress like normal people?”

Jason had worn ties often enough that it didn’t bother him as much as it bugged his best friend. Besides, getting dressed up meant Peter would have to as well. Seeing his boyfriend dressed up made it worth hearing Darryl whine. “For Pops, this is normal, D. You’ve been to their house. He wears a tie most days even if he’s not going out.”

“Yeah, well if I lived that mansion of theirs, I’d probably feel like I needed to dress that way too.” Darryl looked at himself in the mirror and made a last adjustment to his tie. “Is your grandfather sending the forty-eight to pick us up?”

“You wish.” His grandmother’s favorite car was the white 1948 Bentley that Peter had admired the previous Christmas. “I’m not sure what they drove here, but they’re not picking us up.” Continue reading Free Fiction Friday: Second Shot – The Senior Year – 43

Free Fiction Friday: Second Shot – The Senior Year – 42

Free Fiction Friday: January 9, 2015:

Second Shot – The Senior Year: Chapter 42

Since one of my 2015 goals is to post more consistently and to keep up with my FFF posts, it seemed right that I start the year off right. That said, many of you probably have no recollection of what’s going on—so before I post the next chapter here are the links of the last five chapters (If you like having the last five chapters at the top of the newest one, leave a comment and I’ll make it a regular feature):

Chapter 37:

Chapter 38:

Chapter 39:

Chapter 40:

Chapter 41:

Jason saw movement to his right and turned to scan the open space between him and the field house. The group leaving the building was too far away to make out everyone, but he easily recognized his grandfather. Without knowing, he had a fair idea who the other people hovering around Graydon University’s most generous benefactor.

A ball grazed the side of his arm and he spun around with a start. Two of his teammates threw up their hands as the ball landed at the feet of a defender. Fortunately it was a scrimmage and not a real game. Continue reading Free Fiction Friday: Second Shot – The Senior Year – 42

Free Fiction Friday: Second Shot – The Senior Year – 41

Free Fiction Friday: January 2, 2015:

Second Shot – The Senior Year: Chapter 41

It’s been a hot minute (hour??) since my last Free Fiction Friday post. Since one of my 2015 goals is to post more consistently and to keep up with my FFF posts, it seemed right that I start the year off right. That said, many of you probably have no recollection of what’s going on—so before I post the next chapter here are the links of the last five chapters (If you like having the last five chapters at the top of the newest one, leave a comment and I’ll make it a regular feature):

Chapter 36:

Chapter 37:

Chapter 38:

Chapter 39:

Chapter 40:

Blake noticed his roommate had the deer in a headlight look on his face. It took a moment, but Brett finally blinked.

“Hi.” Brett hesitated for a second then held out his hand. “Nice to meet you.”

Expecting Ethan to come back with something snarky, Blake crossed in front of his boyfriend. “We’ll be gone in a few. I just need my heating pad and some extra clothes.”

Brett nodded and his lips twisted in the way they did when Brett didn’t know what to say. When no one said anything, Blake ducked back into the closet to get what he’d come for. He all but tossed everything out of his way so he could quickly get the pad and get ‘back’ to the conversation before it turned ugly. Continue reading Free Fiction Friday: Second Shot – The Senior Year – 41

Free Fiction Friday: Second Shot – The Senior Year – 40

Free Fiction Friday: November 14, 2014:

Second Shot – The Senior Year: Chapter 39

The perfect weather did little to lift Blake’s mood as he and Ethan walked across the quad toward his dorm. Ethan’s presence should have helped, but his boyfriend didn’t approve of them slipping in to get some things while Brett was out.

“I’m not pretending it didn’t happen, you know.” Blake wondered why he tried again. “We’re holding hands on campus. How is that avoiding the issue?”

“You’re avoiding him.” Ethan lacked any of his usual happy go lucky demeanor.

“No, I’m not.” He stopped until Ethan turned to face him. After the hard played soccer match early, Blake was tired. And that usually meant cranky too. Taking a deep breath, he held it for a few seconds, and then let it go. “Really, I’m not. I just want to get my stuff now so we don’t have to worry about it later.”

“So if Brett’s there, you’ll confront him?”

Blake looked down. “No.” Continue reading Free Fiction Friday: Second Shot – The Senior Year – 40

Free Fiction Friday: Second Shot – The Senior Year – 39

Free Fiction Friday: October 31, 2014:

Second Shot – The Senior Year: Chapter 39

“He can’t do this.” Dean paced back and forth. “It’s not allowed.”

Darryl swallowed a mouthful of water and nodded vigorously. “What Little T said. Just talk to campus housing.”

“They might kick him out of school if I do that, Darryl.” Blake struggled with why that thought bothered him. This was Brett’s issue, not his. Wasn’t it?

Dean raised his hands above his shoulders in a shrug and leaned forward. “And we should care that Graydon will have one less douche bag on campus, why?”

“It’s not that simple.” Blake turned his head to avoid Dean’s stare. “We’re… we were friends.”

“Friends don’t act like that.”

“Let it go, Dean.” Jason said as he walked back into the living room. He had two cups of coffee and stopped in front of Blake and held one out. “Black, two sugars. Right?”

Lifting his eyes, Blake managed a thin smile and nodded. “Yea. Thanks.” Continue reading Free Fiction Friday: Second Shot – The Senior Year – 39

Free Fiction Friday: Second Shot – The Senior Year – 38

Free Fiction Friday: October 3, 2014:

Second Shot – The Senior Year: Chapter 38

“Stop worrying.” Ethan said. He shook his head, but the Wi-Fi connection distorted it on Blake’s screen. At least the audio was clear. “I doubt he’s going to freak out.”

“I’m not worried about him going off on me, that’s not Brett’s style, but I’m not looking forward to moving out if it comes to that.”

Ethan’s face tightened and Blake braced for his response. “It doesn’t matter if he’s unhappy, that’s his deal. He needs to get his knuckles off the ground and move into the twenty-first century. Why do straight guys all think they’re at risk of being hit on by gay guys?”

“I don’t think he’s that bad, Eth.” Or maybe he was and Blake didn’t want to believe Brett was really upset. “But I think I make him uncomfortable.”

“Why are you defending him?” The way Ethan’s eyes narrowed told Blake they’d crossed the Rubicon. “He’s the one with a problem, not you. What does he have to be uncomfortable about? Do you stare at his junk when he gets changed? Do you grab his ass constantly? What?”

“You know I don’t do that.” Even if he found Brett attractive—and he didn’t—he wouldn’t do those things. Continue reading Free Fiction Friday: Second Shot – The Senior Year – 38

Free Fiction Friday: Second Shot – The Senior Year – 37

Free Fiction Friday: September 26, 2014:

After a couple weeks off to deal with some family issues, I’m back this week. Hopefully this will the start of a good run. 😀

Second Shot – The Senior Year: Chapter 37

“I’m telling you he’s acting weird.” Blake lifted his shirt and wiped the sweat from his eyes.

Dean didn’t bother with modesty and pulled his shirt over his head and used it to dry his face and neck. He bent over and grabbed his knees. “You’ve been running with my brother, haven’t you?”

The accusation wasn’t the response he expected. “Yeah. Why?”

“Cause you pick spots and run intervals like him. I hate that.”

“They’re good for you.” Having hated them at first too, Blake became a believer after how much stronger he felt during games. “You’ll appreciate it when you have your legs at the end of the first game.”

“I know they’re good for me, but I still hate them.” He used the white T-shirt to dab his face again. “So what’s Brett doing that’s weird?”

“I dunno, maybe it’s just me.” Having brought it up, Blake suddenly felt stupid talking about it. “Just forget about it. It’s probably nothing.”

“Clearly something bothered you or you’d never have said anything.” Continue reading Free Fiction Friday: Second Shot – The Senior Year – 37

Free Fiction Friday: Second Shot – The Senior Year – 36

Free Fiction Friday: September 5, 2014:

Second Shot – The Senior Year: Chapter 36

Blake paced his small dorm room. Brett’s stuff added to his made it feel even smaller. He’d been spoiled having the room to himself for the three weeks. Spoiled in more ways than one. But the weekend came and went, Ethan went home and Blake left Jason and Darryl’s house to come back to the dorm.

During the two days at Jason’s place, he’d tried to find the right words to tell his roommate. Everything he came up with sounded lame. “Brett, I’m gay,” was direct but had an overly dramatic feel. And he didn’t think he could or should blurt it out to start the conversation. On the other hand, the whole, ‘sit down, I have something to talk about,’ wasn’t any better.

Plus he really liked his roommate—in a friends only way. The last thing he wanted was to cause him more stress than needed. Especially the first week of school.

Still, they had to have this talk tonight. Enough people knew about Ethan and he being a ‘couple’ that sooner or later Brett would get the, ‘whoa, dude. You’re living with a gay guy?’ question and then it would be on. Better to deal with it directly and early on so they could both move on with the semester—one way or another. Continue reading Free Fiction Friday: Second Shot – The Senior Year – 36

Free Fiction Friday – The Price of Love – Part 5

The Price Of Love – Part 5

Epilogue

Sitting on the edge of a parapet in the Magi Citadel, I stared up at the Island in the Clouds. Three months later and he still filled my thoughts. I lost him the day the world was saved. Another bittersweet day in my life.

Part of me wanted to go back to that cave to see if his spirit remained, waiting for me to return. In my heart I knew I wouldn’t find him there, but I couldn’t quell that last bit of hope.

After the defeat of the Degari, Chenoth and his army left our world. No explanations, no words of wisdom, nothing. The blue dragon, however, remained. He refused all my requests for his name, but insisted he would remain with me until the end of my days. His presence only added to the growing legend around me that I couldn’t quell. I wanted the bards to sing about Barh, not me, but my requests fell on deaf ears. Continue reading Free Fiction Friday – The Price of Love – Part 5