Fiction

It’s Wednesday! This weekend marks the last of the Big Events for my kids. Unfortunately, that means two dance recitals in one weekend. The cool thing is the dance drama they’re doing for Irish dance. Then one more week of dance classes (party time!), less than two weeks of school, and…summer vacation! (For them, not really for me.) As much as I love watching my kids perform, it’s also nice to have it behind us.

I’m working on several projects at once, since I have several things due this summer. I’m not sure how much more I’m going to post on Anthem and whether I’ll switch to another project or stick with this since it’s still in edits. I’m absolutely dying to share a bit of my Top Secret Project, so I’ll probably give you a teeny, tiny teaser at some point.

This week’s snippet follows last week’s. Andre has asked “Trey” (aka Trevor) to dance, and they may or may not be getting a bit carried away with New Year’s Eve festivities. This is steamy but not explicit, though there’s an implication something else might follow.

WIPmath: 6/10/15 = 10 + 15 = 25 – 6 = 19 sentences

The music and the booze coursed through Andre, and he leaned in closer. He and Trey were pushed together partly by the crowd and partly of their own volition. Inhaling deeply, he took in the scent of Trey’s skin, a heady combination of sweat, soap, and alcohol.

Andre took a chance. He leaned up to speak into Trey’s ear. “It’s customary to kiss someone at midnight.”

Trey’s breath tickled his face. “And how close are we to midnight?”

“Close enough.”

Trey slid his cheek against Andre’s, the rough stubble creating delicious friction just before their mouths joined. It should just have been a brief kiss, something to welcome January first and no more. Except once they’d started, it was like wildfire. Andre sensed a change in Trey, almost an animal hunger. He kissed Andre feverishly, and Andre returned it with equal intensity. In a matter of seconds, they were tangled in each other, panting, their mouths and hips moving together and Trey’s tongue exploring Andre’s. Trey’s palm made slow circles on Andre’s back, and Andre ran his fingers under Trey’s thick blond hair to touch his neck. For the next several minutes, Andre focused only on how good Trey’s body felt against his, the sounds of the band and the crowd fading into the background.

When Trey tried to slip a hand under Andre’s shirt, Andre gasped, and something clunked back into place. “Not here,” he said between breaths.

Well, if not here, then where? Because you know there’s a where. I promise, there’s a where—I’m just not giving the details in a snippet. Sorry to disappoint anyone who was hoping for something a bit hotter; you’ll just have to use your imagination.

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Happy Wednesday! I’m posting optimistically, meaning I hope to get to everyone’s WIPpet this week. But with so much going on, I can’t promise. We’re in the final two weeks of performance season. In less than two weeks, we will be done with everything—rehearsals, concerts, recitals—until September.

In other big news, my son’s school just announced next year’s musical. They’ll be doing The Sound of Music. My kiddo wants to try out as one of the von Trapps. We’ll see how it goes. Either way, both my kids are super excited, as that’s one of their favorite musicals.

For this week’s WIPpet, I’m still in the same scene. I’ll post this and one more next week, and then I have to find a new section to draw from because SPOILERS! If you recall, Andre just made a not-so-nice comment about the band (who happen to be Trevor’s roommates), and Trevor agreed. There’s a reference here to a woman named Dahlia, but if I tell you who she is, that would be—you got it—spoilers.

WIPmath: 6 + 3 = 9, plus a bonus = 10 paragraphs

Intrigued, Andre tilted his head. “What do you like, then?”

“If I’m out to be entertained, I like a little jazz. I wanted to be a jazz pianist when I was a kid.” He laughed. “Don’t know why I’m telling you this.”

Andre tilted his chin. “So, you play?”

“Yeah. Not jazz, though. At least, not anymore.” Trey silenced himself by taking a drink.

“I like a little jazz myself. There’s a great place not that far from here. Weekends, they have open mike. You should check it out sometime.” Andre’s throat tightened. He hadn’t meant to let it slip; the jazz cafe was where he’d met Dahlia. He brushed the memory away.

“Maybe I will.”

The music changed, and Andre set his empty glass down on the bar. The new song was tolerable. He turned to Trey and said, “So what do you say? You in the mood to dance?”

Trey shrugged. “Yeah, okay.”

He downed the rest of his beer surprisingly fast, and Andre raised his eyebrows, but Trey didn’t seem to notice. He followed Andre away from the bar and out among the crowd. It was too tightly packed for Andre’s taste, but he focused on Trey, and in no time they were moving to the music. Trey was surprisingly agile, leaving Andre content to let him lead. It didn’t take long to be caught up in the rhythm and the motion; they moved closer together, and Andre draped an arm around Trey’s shoulder. Trey stiffened, but he gradually relaxed into it and slipped his arm around Andre’s waist.

Whether it was the alcohol or the heat or the press of Trey’s body against his own, Andre wasn’t sure, but the tension felt good and his whole body was alive. The vague thought that he now owed Julian five dollars popped into his head, but he brushed it off so it wouldn’t spoil the moment.

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Hello, Wednesday, my old friend. I can’t believe it’s been another week already. I’ve mostly spent my time combing through my selection of short story competitions/open calls, deciding what to submit and where. I sent a couple off, and the one that really made me nervous involves an author friend of mine. There’s an extra layer when you know the person but they’ve never read your work because you usually write in different genres. This also marks the third time I’ve stepped out of my usual world of literary m/m to try my hand at something new.

Other than that, life goes on. We have three weeks until recital/concert season ends and just over four until school lets out. There’s so much to do between now and then, it’s not even funny. When it’s all over, I’ll be the one shriveled in a corner somewhere (because it’s too dang hot for a blanket fort anymore).

On to WIPpet. I’m sticking with this scene because this whole novel is one long spoiler. This all happens in the first few chapters, so I can share. The following is immediately after last week’s excerpt. You may recall that Julian pushed Andre in Trevor’s direction; this is the result. For anyone not from New England: Moxie is like root beer only yucky.

WIPmath: 5 + 26 + 2 + 0 + 1 + 5 = 39 sentences.

He sidled up to the other guy, whose eyes widened comically when he saw Andre. He opened his mouth like he was about to say something, thought better of it, and clamped his lips shut. Andre shook his head. They were both out of their element, and knowing that put him at ease.

“Hey,” he said. He nodded at the guy’s glass. “What are you drinking?”

“Moxie,” the man said then snorted. “Boring. Sorry.”

“You in the mood for something stronger? How about just a beer?”

“Uh…sure.” The man blushed again.

Andre ordered a couple of Sam Adams. When they showed up, he held his out to the blond man. “Cheers.” They clinked. “What’s your name?”

“Tr—Trey,” he stammered.

So, they were playing that game. Andre could spot a fake a mile away. “Fine, then, Trey. I’m…Antoine.”

Trey—or whoever he really was—ran a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry. I suck at this. I was just going to stay home and mope tonight, but my friend dragged me here.” He waved at the band. “We know those guys.”

Andre didn’t ask how they were associated. Instead, he nodded. “We seem to be in the same boat.” He took a swig of his beer and leaned closer. “Would you be offended if I said your friends aren’t that good?”

Trey jerked, and his eyebrows shot up. His lips curled upward on one side, and his eyes glinted with mischief. “Not at all. I thought it was just me.”

Well, I mean, with a name like Creepy Crullers, did you expect them to be good?

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Yay, it’s Wednesday! This is the middle of busy season, but I still like taking time out to bring you bits of my work in progress.

Last week, I got a manuscript returned with a sort-of rejection. The publisher wanted some significant changes, and I had to decide if I was interested in making them. I felt the feedback was fair. I typically don’t write erotic romance, but that’s what the call was for, so I tried my hand at it. Honestly, I’m surprised the publisher didn’t just go, “Hahahaha! No.” She actually wants the story, just with changes.

So, I’m going for it. I consulted with a set of anonymous beta readers (I had the draft beta’d by multiple people, but I needed fresh eyes and people who don’t know me). I’ll have the finished draft for another round of beta reading in a few days, and I’m going to resubmit.

Meanwhile, I’m still having Anthem beta’d and doing edits on that, so you get to see a bit more of what’s happening with Andre and Trevor. This picks up immediately after last week’s entry.

WIPmath: 5 + 20 = 25 sentences.

There was no way the man was eying Andre or any other guy there. Andre scoffed. “He’s probably just hoping I’ll leave him be.”

Julian shoved him. “Don’t be like that.” A smirk formed slowly on his face. “Five bucks says he’s looking ‘cause you wear that ‘hot nerd’ thing so well.”

“No.”

“Yes. Go talk to him.”

Julian yanked on his arm, and Andre nearly lost his balance. The other man glanced over, and Andre got a full view of his face. When their eyes met, the guy shrank back a little and developed a charming blush. He hastily looked away, causing Julian to laugh.

“Baby, get your ass over there and ask him to dance or something.”

“Or something,” Andre muttered, but he got up. “What are you gonna do?”

Julian waved a hand dismissively. “Sit here till I get hit on, then let the poor soul down gently.” He offered a wicked grin. “Or maybe I’ll go dance. You know I don’t care.”

Andre narrowed his eyes at Julian before turning around and sidestepping over to the blond guy. He hated to admit it, but the guy was his type, and Julian was right—he needed to just let go for a bit. Loud music, cold beer, and a hot body pressed against his could be just what he needed.

Like what you see? Check out the other awesome entries, too. Feel free to participate by sharing your own work-in-progress, connected with FancyMath to the date. Thanks to K. L. Schwengel for the kick in the rear to keep me going by keeping up with posting my WIPpets. Happy reading and writing!

Hiya! It’s Wednesday again, and I’m sharing a bit of my current work-in-progress. Well, technically, this is in edits. I’m doing my first-round changes and sending them to my amazing betas so we can kick this draft’s butt. My real writing work-in-progress is supposed to be top secret, but I can give you a tiny hint. It involves a certain very cute, freckly redhead. Hm…

In today’s snippet of Anthem, Trevor and Andre are about to meet—finally! They’re both in a bar on Boylston, dragged their by their friends. Julian’s been suggesting potential hook-ups for Andre, who just isn’t having any of it.

WIPmath: 5 + 1 + 3 + 2 + 0 + 1 + 5 = 17

Julian peered around Andre. His eyebrows rose, and a slow smile spread across his face. “Sexy over there’s watching you.”

Andre followed Julian’s gaze. “You think he’s hot?” He snickered. “Thought you were straight.”

“Mm. I can recognize man candy when I see it.” He laughed. “Elisa points it out. I got that first one, but he wasn’t into you. Maybe this guy.”

The guy at the bar wasn’t half bad. He had wavy dark blond hair that hung almost to his shoulders, and Andre could see he was muscled but in a softer, almost curvy way. Despite the scruff on his chin, he had boyish features, but his mouth was turned down and he sat hunched on his stool. Andre almost smiled at how the man looked nearly as out of place as he felt.

I’ll just leave it there for today. You’ll have to come back next week to see what happens. Meanwhile, go enjoy the other snippets and maybe share your own. Thanks to K. L. Schwengel for keeping us going. Happy reading and writing!