by T. A. Chase
Three days and countless hours online and phone calls later, Mario was no closer to getting space away from his teammates than he had been. Frustrated, he slumped back in his desk chair and pushed himself away from the computer. Might as well resign himself to spending an uncomfortable week with the lovebirds.
Spreading his legs, he adjusted himself, then let his hand linger on his soft cock and balls for a soothing rub. God, it had been a long dry spell. He really needed to get back out there. But he’d dated Luke forever. They’d been a couple longer than many married pairs he knew. And, towards the end, they’d fallen into habit. When Mario had realised one day that he couldn’t remember the last time he and Luke had had sex, he’d known their relationship was in trouble.
He sighed. They’d just grown apart…as lovers, anyway. To be honest, neither of them had been what the other man needed. Luke needed someone stable and easy-going, strong but gentle. Derek filled that bill to a T, whereas Mario had felt he constantly had to keep a lid on his temper around Luke.
And Mario was needy, he fully admitted it. He didn’t want to have to be the strong one, the decision-maker all the time, the role he seemed to always find himself in by default. He wanted…needed…
Mario shrugged when he drew a blank. Well, who knew what the hell he needed? But as much as he and Luke had loved one another, there was something inside Mario that had remained unsatisfied.
He gave himself one last grope, not at all thrilled with the idea of using his own hand…yet again. But join the club scene? He wasn’t in his twenties anymore and closer to forty than thirty now. He’d look like a fool out there next to the young studs. Oh, he was in shape—he had his love of sports and active lifestyle to thank for that. And fortunately genetics had smiled on him. The men in his family, even his abuelo, had full heads of black hair and very few wrinkles. But still, he was no college kid. And young things didn’t appeal to him anyway.
No. He wanted a man, closer to his age, mature, fit…
Maybe he’d manage to hook up with someone at the conference.
He rolled his eyes at the reminder that he wouldn’t even have a private place to bring someone up to, but perhaps he’d luck out and find someone with their own room…
He straightened abruptly. Someone with their own room? He’d been thinking about a pick-up, but maybe someone out there who was travelling alone, or as the odd man out like Mario, would be looking to share the cost of a room. Excited by the possibility, but unsure of where to begin looking, Mario unplugged his laptop and moved to the couch.
He sat for a moment, trying to figure out a starting point, before he gave up and called Cade, another of their Rough Riders teammates. He might be a quiet guy, but he was very Internet savvy and just always seemed to know things.
“Hey, Super M, what’s up?”
“Oh…just on my computer… Trying to figure something out.”
“Did your account get hacked again?”
“What? No…” Mario frowned. “I don’t think so.” He shook his head and sighed.
“Okay, here’s the thing. You know how Luke and I always go to the annual ATSA conference?” He referred to the Adult Team Sports Association, the overseeing organisation for adult competitive sports.
“Right. That’s coming up next month.”
“Yes. And Luke always takes care of the registration details and so forth. Well, Derek’s going this year, of course.”
Derek had taken over as the de facto head coach of their multi-sport, competitive adult team, though Mario and Luke had also technically retained coaching status of the team they’d formed together over ten years ago. The three had settled into a somewhat natural division of labour, with Derek providing the leadership, training know-how and strategy during practices and games, Luke taking care of details like finances, paperwork and registrations for tournaments, and Mario managing the equipment, arranging field time and acting as a liaison with other teams on setting up their seasonal schedules and scrimmages.
“Sure. Oh… Don’t tell me. Luke only booked one room.”
Mario pulled the phone away to stare at it for a moment. “You’re scary, you know that?”
Cade laughed. “Well, you know how you do something the same way for years. It gets to be a habit. I can totally see him going through the reg process and booking just one room.”
“Yes and the resort is full.”
“Oh crap. So…do they have an overflow suggestion?”
“Not really possible. It’s kind of in the middle of nowhere. I’d be driving from a ways away. And, since all the events are right there at the resort, plus the basketball tournament, I don’t want to have to rent a car and drive all over. But I was thinking… Maybe someone needs a roommate to share costs? How would I find someone like that?”
“Hmm…” Mario could hear keys clicking in the background as Cade typed. “Okay, is there a chat board or group for the convention?”
Mario gave a derisive snort. “I have no fucking idea. I don’t do that sort of thing. And I’m not calling Luke to ask him.”
“No, I get that. Okay, I’m on the conference website… They mention a Yahoo group for attendees. I’d go there. I’m emailing the site admin explaining that you’re an attendee and need the link to join the group. I’ll have them email it to you. Mario Santos…” Cade continued to type as he mumbled, “Rough Riders…co-captain…”
“Join a Yahoo group?” Nothing sounded lamer to Mario than trying to ‘talk’ to strangers online. He didn’t even IM or email his friends. “You know? Fuck this. I don’t know what to say to people. I’m being stupid. I’ll just stay with the guys.”
“It’s okay, man. You don’t have to do that much chatting. Just introduce yourself, which you can do with a couple of sentences and maybe do a quick post to see if anyone going wants someone to share expenses.” Mario started to protest again and Cade cut him off, continuing, “You can even say you’re not big into conversation and you just want a place to crash. Okay, that’s sent.”
Cade walked Mario through setting up a bare-bones profile and linking to the group, then how to navigate the group. Mario was relieved to see a few ‘threads’ had roommate in the title. Cade ended up basically dictating his post for him.
“Okay, okay,” Mario finally protested, “I’ve taken up enough of your time. Come on. I can figure it out from here. So, people will just answer this?”
“Yes, I have it set up so replies to your post come directly to you in an email.”
Mario felt inexplicably relieved. “I can just email with someone from now on?”
“You’re such a Luddite.” Cade laughed. “Yes. Just email. And, if you find someone promising, you can exchange your actual emails or phone numbers and take it off-post.”
“Whatever that means. Okay. Thanks, man.” Mario took a deep breath, feeling hope for the first time since he’d found out about the snafu. “And Cade? Can you not…mention this to the guys? I mean, if it doesn’t work out…I don’t want them to know I was trying…”
“No problem. My lips are sealed. Hey, I’ll see you tomorrow at Valley. Call me if you need anything.”
Mario said goodbye and sat back with a smile. Things just might work out, after all.
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About the Authors
T.A. Chase
There is beauty in every kind of love, so why not live a life without boundaries?
Experiencing everything the world offers fascinates T.A. and writing about the things that make each of us unique is how she shares those insights. When not writing, T.A.’s watching movies, reading and living life to the fullest.
Email: [email protected]
Devon Rhodes
Devon started reading and writing at an early age and never looked back. At 39 and holding, Devon finally figured out the best way to channel her midlife crisis was to morph from mild-mannered stay-at-home mom to erotic romance writer. She lives in Oregon with her family, who are (mostly) understanding of
all the time she spends on her laptop, aka the black hole.
Email: [email protected]
T.A. and Devon love to hear from readers. You can find their contact information, websites and author biographies at http://www.total-e-bound.com.
Also by T.A. Chase
Out of Light into Darkness
From Slavery to Freedom
The Vanguard
Two for One
Where the Devil Dances
The Four Horsemen: Pestilence
The Four Horsemen: War
The Four Horsemen: Famine
The Four Horsemen: Death
The Beasor Chronicles: Gypsies
The Beasor Chronicles: Tramps
Home: No Going Home
Home: Home of His Own
Home: Wishing for a Home
Unconventional at Best: Ninja Cupcakes
Also by Devon Rhodes
Wet Your Whistle
Seasoned Women: Falling For the Other Brother
Seasoned Women: Sex on Summer Sabbatical
Seasoned Women: Winter’s Thaw
Seasoned Women: Spring Training
Feral: Pride and Joey
Vampires & Mages & Weres, Oh My!: Through the Red Door
Vampires & Mages & Weres, Oh My!: Locke, Stock and Barrel
Homecoming: A Detour Home
Gaymes: Rough Riders
Voracious Vamps: A Pint Light
His Hero: A Ring and A Promise
Unconventional at Best: Rough Awakening
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