#RainbowSnippets 11-Nov-2017 – Closets Are for Clothes

I’ve joined the Rainbow Snippets group on Facebook. From their description: “Rainbow Snippets is a group for LGBTQ+ authors, readers, and bloggers to gather once a week to share six sentences from a work of fiction–a WIP or a finished work or even a 6-sentence book recommendation (no spoilers please!).” Pretty cool, eh? Don’t forget to “Like” my Facebook page and/or my Facebook profile while you’re over there checking out this fantastic group!

Rainbow

Still snipping from Closets Are for Clothes (I finally got around to naming it) featuring Mike & Wes. I’m picking up where I left off last week. Wes is Mike’s new roommate. Whether or not that’ll be “with benefits” is still up in the air. This thread takes place early on their first morning sharing an apartment.

Told from Mike’s 1st-person POV.

Click to expand refresher scenes from this thread:

Part 1 – Posted 4-Nov-2017

I looked up with a start when Wes strolled into the kitchen, running his fingers through some wild and crazy bedhead, wearing sleep pants that hung so low it had to be deliberate, and no shirt whatsoever. Payback was a bitch.

I was dressed in standard “business casual,” wearing a bright blue polo shirt over khakis, so he had a decided and unfair advantage. Decided, anyway, although the fairness was in question since, although I’d taunted him last night, he was kicking it up three notches. Plus, I was on my way to work without the option of another shower to take the edge off.

My face heated, but I managed to say, “Stuff’s still on the counter if you like oatmeal,” in what I hoped was a normal voice, but I was pretty sure it sounded a bit strained—or maybe choked, as in choking on my tongue while trying to speak.

This week’s new snippet:

(Payback's a Bitch) Part 2 – 11-November-2017

His mouth quirked into a grin that he quickly checked. Bastard. “Good morning. And thank you, yes, oatmeal’s fine.” His head swiveled as he seemed to be searching for something.

Oh. “Looking for coffee?”


Dream On – Book 1 – Closets Are for Clothes

43,199 words

Coming in February, 2018 to JMS Books, LLC

Mike’s life is carefully compartmentalized. He’s deep in the closet to his family back in Kansas, but lives life honestly and openly in Austin. He’s unnerved when Wes, his old university crush, turns up at his door in answer to a roommate advertisement, but quickly sees the potential…benefits of the arrangement. Wes has never doubted nor denied his sexuality. With the support of his family he’s an out and proud LGBT activist.

On the scale balancing his self-esteem on one side, and the love of his family on the other, Mike has to decide which weighs more. Is Mike being fair to his parents by not giving them the chance to know his real self? When the delicate balance of his life is disrupted, he decides he’s tired of living a lie. Will Wes understand his concerns, or will their fledgling relationship crumble under the strain of Mike’s uncertainty?


NOTE: Closets Are for Clothes  is a from-the-ground-up comprehensively rewritten and reedited version of A Dream Come True. While the theme of the original story is the same, and many important scenes remain (albeit retold), much of the story’s background has changed. The earlier editions were told in alternating 3rd-person POV. Closets Are for Clothes is told entirely from Mike’s 1st-person POV.


#RainbowSnippets

30 thoughts on “#RainbowSnippets 11-Nov-2017 – Closets Are for Clothes

    1. I’ve never gotten into the habit, but I understand a lot of people can’t start their day without the stuff. ☕️

  1. Love the new book’s title, but coffee? I can take it w/ lots of almond vanilla creamer and stevia, but I prefer a good cup of Earl Grey. Think I’ll go make some now.

    1. He is (although he might also be fishing for info). We may be in the minority, but you’re not the only one. I never touch the stuff. I’m a total caffeine weeny and never acquired a taste for it.

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