Derek Thomas is a senior and a wrestler, and has a secret. He’s gay.
Scott Thayer is a new student who’s just moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts from Iowa. On the first day of school Derek and Scott meet, and their lives change in an instant.
As Derek and Scott discover the things they have in common, they enter into one of the closest, most loving relationships either of them has ever experienced. When unexpected circumstances threaten to tear them apart, they both have to make a decision.
Do they protect their secret and separate? Or fight for what they want…each other.
Book 1 of the YA Wrestling series.
Excerpt:
Derek’s pulse quickened as he tried to stare at the newcomer without seeming to do so. He had unkempt blond hair which made him look sexy and defiant. His legs were covered by bulky cargo pants, but his upper body caused Derek to gasp. He was wearing a worn, long-sleeved, white cotton shirt with a faded picture of the Tasmanian Devil on the front. It fit him tightly around his chest and Derek immediately noticed the outline of firm pecs and just a hint of nipple pushing at the fabric. The rest of the shirt fell along his body, creating folds which suggested a long, trim frame, but leaving to the imagination whether his abdomen was smooth or cut. Derek wished that he had X-ray vision to get a glimpse of the hidden legs and butt, but he could tell by the way the fabric stretched in the back that his ass rivaled his own.
Derek took in a deep breath and remembered to nod and make a sound of affirmation at whatever Rebecca was saying, then continued his surveillance. He noticed that the boy’s shoulders were square and that he stood with confidence. Slender muscles rose from the neck of his shirt leading to a sharp jaw line. His lips were pink and his bottom lip was plump and extremely kissable. And his eyes. Even from across the room, Derek couldn’t miss the radiance. They were ocean blue. Not the kind of ocean blue like most of the eastern or western coast, but more of a bluish-green like found along Caribbean beaches.
He wandered over to the teacher, Mr. Carlton, like a lost puppy, and handed him his slip of paper. The teacher nodded and then introduced him to the class.
“Good morning, class. First of all, I would like to welcome you to Senior English. We will, I am sure, be having many wonderful discussions about topics of great interest to you. Please know that I am trusting you can handle the many themes which are of particular interest and pertinence to your age group, with maturity. I would also like to introduce you to a new student here at Brampton.” Mr. Carlton looked at the slip again and then continued, “Scott Thayer is joining the senior class having moved here from Monroe, Iowa. I am sure you will all make him feel welcome and at home. Is there anyone who would be willing to help Scott through his first day? I am sure he’ll need directions to classes and someone to have lunch with today.”
Scott looked toward his feet at this request and Derek was sure he could see his cheeks flush slightly. What the heck was wrong with Mr. Carlton anyways? Didn’t he realize that being a new senior was bad enough without singling him out on his first day?
From where he was sitting, Derek could tell that most of the girls in the class were staring bug-eyed at Scott and, most likely, longing to be his appointed buddy but terrified of the rumor mill should they actually volunteer. Most of the boys seemed oblivious or uninterested in the new arrival, likely more interested in what was being served for lunch. It didn’t hurt that the only empty seats were in the back row either.
Derek raised his hand, “Uh, Mr. Carlton, there are some empty seats back here.”
“Great, Derek.” Turning to Scott, Mr. Carlton continued, “You can take a seat with Derek and welcome to Brampton.” Scott looked up and glanced at Derek. As he worked his way to the back of the room, he maintained eye contact and Derek swore that those sea-blue pools were saying thanks for getting me out of this embarrassing situation.
Through his peripheral vision, he could see Rebecca staring at him with a huge grin on her face. Quietly, so that only he could hear, she said, “Careful, baby, you might fall in love.”