by Lane Hayes
Ky grinned. He squeezed my knee affectionately before unwrapping his burger. “You did. You sound more excited than anyone else.”
“Maybe so. I want to pinch myself sometimes. I can’t believe we did it. Sure, we’re bleeding money at the moment, but not for long. We’re going places. I can feel it.” I stole a fry and flashed a mischievous grin to downplay my brag, but I was completely sincere.
The past six months had been unbelievably difficult, exciting, and rewarding at the same time. Zero officially launched Scratch Records in March along with their self-titled debut album. The first song they released was “Trouble.” It went to number ten in its first week and stayed there for a while. The guys were still deliberating which song would come next. They were saving “This Is Love” for last. I had no doubt it would be the song that propelled them to the next level. In the meantime, their music was on the radio, their album was selling well, and they were about to embark on a West Coast tour with almost all sold-out shows.
The timing was perfect. Declan’s band, Jealousy, was about to release the first cut from their debut album. And it was freaking fantastic. Great news for Scratch, but the boys in Zero didn’t want those details. Unless they sucked, of course. I’d misjudged the level of animosity between Zero and Declan. Gray had a calming effect on Justin, but Tegan made no effort to hide his feelings. I didn’t get it. Everyone was getting exposure and making money. We’d actually had to lease office space. That was as real as it got in my book.
I was proud of our professional achievements and very aware that Zero had a long way to go. I was determined to do my best work for the band, but my relationship with Ky came first. None of this mattered without him. He said I was his rhythm. And if that was the case, he was my harmony. He kept me balanced and reminded me to take a deep breath and not obsess over what I couldn’t control. We lived together, worked together, and shared a lot of the same friends, but we found new ways to keep “us” separate. Movies, travel, walks on the beach, or hanging out at the skate park with Oliver watching his idol wow the crowd. And yes, we occasionally spent time with his cantankerous father. It was a slow healing process that might never result in a full recovery. But Ky was willing to give him a chance.
The key was humor. If we could laugh after watching a marathon of game shows with Crabby Ed or hosting a science-meets-skateboard pool party for twenty ten-year-olds celebrating Oliver’s birthday, I figured we had the right idea.
Ky leaned over and stole two fries, chuckling when I caught his hand and bit his thumb playfully.
I pointed at the boxes nearby. “Shall we do those first?”
“Nope. Let it go for a day. We need a break. What do you feel like doing?”
“Taking a nap. A naked nap.”
“God, I love you,” he said in a serious tone.
I grinned. “I love you too.”
Every once in a while I wondered how we got here. It was hard to remember a time I didn’t love him. My skater boy, anchor, my best friend, my love. I just knew I was grateful to be part of his story, to know him and let him know me. I was grateful for the blank page and the chance to start from scratch.
Starting From Zero
Check out Book 1 in my newest rock and roll series, Starting From Zero. Book 3 will be here in Spring 2020.
Justin Cuevas is going through a rough patch. A broken relationship, a scandal, and the demise of his band have shaken the aspiring rock star’s confidence. Working two jobs and sleeping on his friend’s sofa isn’t ideal, but Justin isn’t ready to give up yet. With a little luck, he’s hoping to re-launch his music career in LA with his new band, Zero. The key is to stay focused, and not get distracted by his past…or the sexy songwriter he can’t get out of his head.
Gray Robertson has written dozens of hits and worked with some of the biggest names in the industry. But he’s never met anyone like Justin. The younger man is fiery, passionate, and smart. A powerful voice for a new generation. Other than an unforgettable one-night stand and a passion for music, the two men have nothing in common. Or do they? Justin knows the out-of-the-blue challenge to write a quintessential love song is a huge opportunity. And it’s the ultimate test for someone who’s doesn’t believe in happily ever after. When sparks fly, Justin and Gray realize they have a shot something special if they start from zero together. Maybe even love.
Out on the Ice- Coming Early 2020
Excerpt from Out on the Ice by Lane Hayes (Early 2020)
“Mr. Fischer. What can I do for you?” the TA asked with a friendly grin as though he’d forgotten about the quiz fiasco.
I didn’t bother trying to return the gesture. I had zero time or respect for phoniness in any form. Even a smile. I nodded curtly and got to the point.
“I’m not sure how you grade these quizzes, but I’m not taking this course to fail.”
He regarded me thoughtfully then let out a parental sounding sigh. It was a little disconcerting coming from a guy who was probably just a few years older than me. “I assume you’re here to make sure you graduate on time.”
“Yes.”
“Well, don’t worry about the quiz. Keep your eyes on your paper in the future,” he singsonged before grabbing his briefcase from under the podium and heading for the door.
I let out a deep breath then hiked my backpack over my right shoulder. I heard my cell buzz in my bag and paused to pull it out before checking the incoming text from my roommate. Something about buying beer for a party tonight. I typed a quick reply as I made my way to the exit then slipped my phone in my pocket and immediately ran into a human wall.
“Hey. Here’s your pencil. Thanks, man.”
“My pencil?” I repeated incredulously. “Really?”
“Yeah. I was running late this morning and you know how that goes. I thought I had it together, but not quite.” He gave a half laugh as he tapped the pencil against his palm. “I’m Sky, by the way.”
I fixed him with a steady glare as I crossed my arms. “I don’t give a fuck who you are. Why’d you do that?”
“Do what?” he asked, looking guilty as fuck.
“Cheat.”
“I didn’t cheat.”
I widened my eyes comically and pointed at the scene of the crime. “I was sitting right there. You were next to me and you never sit next to me, so yeah, I noticed. And when—”
“Why would you notice that?” he intercepted.
The question caught me off guard. I cocked my head and studied him for a second. He tilted his head so a lock of hair fell across his forehead. I fought a strange itchy compulsion to push it aside so I could see his eyes, ’cause damn, Sky was even more better looking up close. He had a square jaw, high cheekbones, and long eyelashes and—okay, fuck. That was weird.
I licked my lips and did my best not to stare at his tongue when he mimicked the motion. Like he was on to me. Like he knew something about me and was giving me a chance to figure it out on my own. Like he was somehow being cool, maybe even respectful. But that didn’t make sense unless...
“Are you coming on to me?”
Sky chuckled and pushed the eraser end of the pencil against my stomach. “I’m returning your pencil. Sorry you got nabbed for cheating. But c’mon...you were looking right at me. Kinda like you are right now.”
“You mean like I can’t believe how full of shit you are?” I snapped. “Don’t try to turn this around. You know exactly what you did, asshole. Grow a pair and admit it.”
Sky dropped the good-natured act so fast I blinked. If I wasn’t irritated and on my way back to straight-up angry again, I might have been wary of the sudden change. He was taller than me and pretty muscular, but I was bigger and I wasn’t the type to back down from a fight. Ever. I held his gaze for a long moment. And just when I thought I was stuck in a staring contest, he lowered his eyes and fixated on my mouth before moving south, lingering on my crotch before flashing a mischievous half smile.
“Fine. I admit it. I looked. But don’t get th
e wrong idea. If I was gonna cheat, you wouldn’t be my go-to guy,” he taunted.
I huffed. “Nice try. You cheated and now you’re lying and checkin’ out my dick to distract me.”
“Can you blame me? Either you stuck a sock in your shorts or you’re happy to see me.”
I creased my forehead so hard I gave myself a headache. What was he up to? Did he actually want me to kick his ass?
I grabbed my dick through my shorts and let out a humorless chuckle. “Talk about dick. I don’t mind. Bring it, Jameson. I’ll be waiting on my apology while you try to work out how big my cock is. Not to brag, but it’s a monster. I bet you can’t swallow it in—”
Sky launched himself at me. The impact knocked me sideways. pushing me into the first row of desks. When the back of my thigh scraped against metal, I saw red. I didn’t think, I acted. I gripped his T-shirt with my left hand, cocked my fist back and swung. He pulled out of my hold before I connected with his jaw, then used the momentum to his advantage, yanking my arm and throwing me off balance. I swayed like a tree in a storm, accidentally pulled him to the floor with me. Bad move. There was no space to maneuver between the rows of desks without wrecking the room.
I weighed my options as Sky flattened himself over me, grasping my wrists in a tight hold. His eyes blazed angrily and his nostrils flared. I figured it was a matter of seconds before he threw another punch. My muscles tensed as I prepared to fend him off. I panted heavily and tried to ignore my suddenly interested dick as I wait for Sky to make a move.
But he didn’t do anything. He just stared. His gaze darted between my eyes and my mouth. Back and forth and then...
He kissed me.
Out in College Books!
Check out the entire series, beginning with water polo with Derek and Gabe’s story in Out in the Deep, Book 1…
Football with Evan and Mitch in Out in the End Zone, Book 2…
A little more football with Christian and Rory in Out in the Offense, Book 3…
And some baseball with Max and Phoenix in Out in the Field, Book 4…
About the Author
Lane Hayes is grateful to finally be doing what she loves best. Writing full-time! It’s no secret Lane loves a good romance novel. An avid reader from an early age, she has always been drawn to well-told love story with beautifully written characters. These days she prefers the leading roles to both be men. Lane discovered the M/M genre a few years ago and was instantly hooked. Her debut novel was a 2013 Rainbow Award finalist and subsequent books have received Honorable Mentions, and were First Place winners in the 2016 and 2017 Rainbow Awards. She loves red wine, chocolate and travel (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband in a newly empty nest.
Also by Lane Hayes
Starting From Zero
Out in the Deep
Out in the End Zone
Out in the Offense
Out in the Field
Leaning Into Love
Leaning Into Always
Leaning Into the Fall
Leaning Into a Wish
Leaning Into Touch
Leaning Into the Look
Leaning Into Forever
A Kind of Truth
A Kind of Romance
A Kind of Honesty
A Kind of Home
Better Than Good
Better Than Chance
Better Than Friends
Better Than Safe
The Right Words
The Wrong Man
The Right Time
A Way with Words
A Way with You
