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The Midwest Series Bundle (Books 1-4 + Bonus Content) - eBook

The Midwest Series Bundle (Books 1-4 + Bonus Content) - eBook

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Take four hot jocks. Add their total opposites. What do you get? A serious heatwave in the Midwest …

Bully & Exit:

After former college hockey star Nathan comes out of the closet and reunites with his high school boyfriend Caleb, it does more than change the direction of their lives.

 Push & Pull:

It pushes their best friends, former hockey player Brent and twinky fashionista Lowell, into a summer road trip they never planned to take together.

Touch & Go:

Following an urgent call from Micah, an injured pro baseball player forced to move in with Justin, his physical therapist, old hurts are healed and a new friendship is formed.

Advance & Retreat:

When a night out for the guys leads to meeting Ian, an Olympic hopeful swimmer who is fascinated by Ricky, a hotel manager by day and drag queen by night, it’s clear that none of their lives will ever be the same.

Enjoy all four titles in The Midwest Series in one convenient bundle!

This bundle totals over 378k words, plus an additional 22k of never before published bonus content, including several short stories featuring the guys taking a road trip, enjoying Chicago Pride, and a special bonus featuring Irving’s HEA!

Read a Sample



CHAPTER ONE
MARCH 30, 2013 – KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN


“You’re quite boring, you know?”

Caleb looked up at Lowell, who stood in the doorway of his bedroom. “How is this news? We’ve been living together for four years.”

“Yes, but you used to be fun.” Lowell stuck out his lower lip. “Now all you do is study.”

Glaring, Caleb snapped his textbook shut and set it on his desk. “It’s the final semester of our senior year, and we have one month to go. I need to be studying. You know how far behind I am.”

“Oh, pffftt.” Lowell waved off his concerns. “You’ll be fine. Just come with me to the party at Terry’s for a couple of hours.”

A couple of hours to Lowell usually meant more like four or five, but Caleb could always hope Lowell found a hot guy to hook up with. Not an unusual end to a night out with Lowell, by any means.

Lowell batted his thick dark lashes, as if he could tell Caleb was wavering. “Please. I miss you. We’ve hardly gone out together at all lately, and we’re graduating next month! Going in separate directions for the summer, and we won’t be roommates anymore.” He let out a heavy, melodramatic sigh. “It could be one of our last chances to spend time together like this.”

“Of the two of us, you should’ve been the one to go into theater,” Caleb said with a shake of his head. “Overdramatic much?” He stood with a heavy sigh. He’d never get any studying done with Lowell pestering him anyway, so he may as well give in and hope they’d make it back to the apartment early enough for some more studying. He glanced at the clock on his nightstand. Well, maybe not. But he could at least get to bed at a decent time and study in the morning. “Fine, let’s go.”

Besides, Lowell had a point—they were going their separate directions after graduation, and he was going to miss his best friend like hell. And really, this was how their arguments usually went. Lowell was both persistent and annoyingly right about most things, so Caleb’s protests were mostly a token effort on his part. And if he’d really put his foot down, Lowell would have respected it.

“Yay!” Lowell bounced on his toes. “Okay, I gotta go get pretty, but I’ll be right back.”

Caleb suppressed a smile as Lowell darted away. Again, his roommate’s sense of timing was suspect. “Right back” meant at least forty-five minutes, but at least, it would give Caleb some more time to study after he got ready.

Caleb changed into a nicer pair of jeans and a V-neck black T-shirt, taking a moment to put on some deodorant. He finger combed his thick, dark blond hair back with a little product so it wasn’t falling over his eyes, took a final critical look in the mirror, and shrugged. “Meh. Good enough,” he murmured to himself.

By the time Lowell reappeared—stylishly dressed and wearing enough eyeliner to enhance his eyes and gloss on his lips—Caleb had his book open and notecards spread out across the desk, immersed in studying.

“Is that what you’re wearing?” Lowell asked, wrinkling his nose.

“Yep.” Caleb stood, careful not to dislodge his carefully organized notes. “Let’s go.”

Lowell sighed as he turned to go. “Your lack of fashion sense is a disgrace to the queer and theater communities. What am I going to do with you?”

“Admit I’m a lost cause and love me anyway?” Caleb offered as he followed his roommate down the hall. “It’s what you’ve been doing since we were suitemates at Ackley/Shilling,” he said, referring to the dorm they’d lived in their freshman year. Western Michigan University’s student housing left something to be desired—living in what the students called “The Valley” had been a pain in the ass because it was so far from main campus—but they’d done an excellent job pairing him with Lowell. Caleb and Lowell had been inseparable since day one.

“I suppose I’ll have to.” Lowell shook his head as he paused by the entryway closet in their apartment. “You destroy stereotypes left and right, you know.”

“I do what I can.”

“At least, promise you’ll wear the leather jacket I bought you for Christmas last year,” Lowell begged as he handed him the black coat. Caleb took it, shrugging it on with a roll of his eyes. Not that he minded wearing it. The leather was absurdly soft, and he knew it looked great on him. Caleb appreciated the attempts Lowell made to dress him well, but he enjoyed giving his friend shit.

Really, Lowell spoiled him shamelessly. Lowell’s family had more money than they knew what to do with, where Caleb had grown up lower-middle class at best. The huge difference in income could’ve made their friendship awkward, but Lowell was one of the few rich kids Caleb had ever met who genuinely seemed unaffected by it. He bought what he liked without apology and was generous with his money, but he never once made Caleb feel shitty when he couldn’t reciprocate.

Thanks to Lowell’s generosity, they lived in one of the higher-end apartment complexes in the area. Splitting the rent fifty/fifty was way out of Caleb’s budget, but Lowell had argued it was perfectly fair for Caleb to pay less since Lowell needed the bigger room with the walk-in closet. Mostly bullshit—although, Lowell did own an absurd amount of clothes—but Caleb was grateful for Lowell’s tact and financial contribution. Not to mention his offers of stylish clothing.

Lowell straightened the jacket and tweaked the zipper as he gave Caleb a critical once-over. “Not bad.”

Lowell wore skinny pale blue pants with a snug white T-shirt and a fitted dark blue blazer with the sleeves pushed up. He also had on a leather belt and shoes that he had repeatedly told Caleb were actually cognac-colored every time Caleb dared to call them brown. Somehow, Lowell pulled off the look with an infuriatingly casual, stylish air Caleb secretly envied. Of course, Caleb would never admit that to his friend.

“Not so bad yourself,” Caleb admitted. Lowell beamed as he opened the front door.

Caleb might not give a shit about fashion, but Lowell did, and for all of the crap Caleb gave his roommate, there was no one in the world he loved more.

Caleb draped an arm around Lowell’s shoulder as they left the building. “This party better be fun,” he said. “Or you’re waiting on me hand and foot tomorrow while I study.”

“Oh, it will be a blast,” Lowell promised. “Parties with me always are.”


***

“Oh. My. God. You’re not going to believe who walked in the door,” Lowell murmured a few hours later, his wide eyes lighting up.

“Oh?” Caleb craned his neck, trying to see, but he couldn’t make out anyone in the crowd. “Who?”

“Nathan Rhodes.” Lowell’s hands fluttered as he stood on his toes to get a better glimpse. Caleb’s stomach gave an uncomfortable lurch. “I’ve been dying to get another shot at him since we had Rocks for Jocks together freshman year.”

Caleb snorted, trying to ignore the way his heart leapt at Nathan’s name. “Why were you in Rocks for Jocks anyway? You’ve never played sports.” No one would ever mistake Lowell for anything but what he was. Queerer than a three-dollar bill? Yes. Straight jock? Not so much.

“No, but I know how to handle balls like a pro!” Lowell’s leer made Caleb roll his eyes. “Seriously though, I needed to fill a science elective, and I heard Intro to Geology was easy and a great way to meet hot jocks.”

“Yeah, hot straight jocks.” Caleb rolled his eyes again, suppressing the urge to turn around and look for the jock in question.

“I don’t knowww,” Lowell said in a singsong voice. “I sucked off a couple of guys in the class. Their lips said they were straight, but their cocks said something else entirely. And there have been lots of rumors about Nathan and Brent Cameron …”

“It’s a college campus. There are rumors about everything. I mean, everyone assumes we’re fucking and that’s never happened. I don’t believe the stories about them for a minute,” Caleb said with a snort. “And you sucking cock isn’t exactly newsworthy.”

Lowell sighed wistfully. “A boy can dream, can’t he?”

“Sure, keep dreaming.” Caleb patted his cheek. “I’m going to get a drink.” He disappeared into the crowd before Lowell could answer.

The house was packed full of students celebrating the weekend. It was crummy rental housing with cheap carpet and scuffed walls. The walls were thin, and the music and laughter reverberated through the space. Students covered every inch of the house. They were perched on mismatched, hand-me-down furniture and leaning against walls. The air was thick and stifling from the presence of so many bodies and reeked of cheap cologne, beer, and cigarettes. Caleb caught the sickly-sweet aroma of weed as he walked by the basement stairwell. Posters were tacked up with putty, peeling at the corners, and as he passed by, Caleb watched a drunk girl knock over a lamp, then break into hysterical laughter. He shook his head in irritation; he had no patience for people tonight.

It was pretty much like every other party he’d gone to during his college career, and it had never gotten on his nerves so much, but the sloppy drunks and too-loud music seemed particularly annoying tonight. He forced himself to ignore the guy at the entrance of the house as he worked his way through the press of bodies. He’d made it through almost four years of college without getting too close to Nathan Rhodes. Why was it, with barely a month to go before graduation, they had to end up at the same party? It was Lowell’s fault; Caleb hadn’t wanted to go in the first place. Well, Lowell could drool over Nathan all he wanted; Caleb knew better. WMU’s star hockey forward was an asshole, and Caleb would do whatever it took to stay away from him.

Caleb pushed through the crowd, fighting his way through the crush of students to get to the kitchen where the keg was. He filled his cup, then drained it quickly, grateful the beer was cold, if not particularly good. Honestly, it tasted a bit like watered-down moose piss, but at the moment, he didn’t care. He’d take whatever he could get. He refilled his cup, then went in search of Lowell again. Caleb had barely made it three steps before he ran into Harper Bennett.

Harper had been the stage manager of Kiss Me Kate, the most recent production the theater department put on. She was cute: big-eyed and bubbly, with purple streaks in her short, platinum blonde hair and more piercings than he could count. He knew there were tattoos under her clothes and that she had a mole on her right, inner thigh. They’d been friends with benefits a few semesters ago. Nothing special, but she’d been fun to blow off steam with.

He wasn’t like Lowell who refused to sleep with a guy more than once. Caleb liked some connection. Not cheap, one-night stands, but friends he could fuck around with when he had the urge. Someone he didn’t mind falling asleep next to but not someone he’d miss in the morning. It had worked for him. Since Nathan. He felt the icy-hot sliver of pain that always cut through him when he thought about the hockey player, and he pushed it away, smiling at Harper. She was so cute and tiny, barely to his shoulder.

“Hey you!” She threw her arms around Caleb, and he struggled to keep from dumping beer on her as he returned the hug.

“Hey, hon.” He gave her a quick squeeze before letting go.

“I didn’t expect to see you here! You sounded so grumpy about it when Terry mentioned the party in class the other day,” she said, referring to their host. Terry was one of those excessively enthusiastic joiner types who made it his business to know everyone. No surprise that the theater students and jocks had ended up at the same party. He had the reputation for throwing a good one. Even if Caleb wasn’t particularly enthusiastic about being there, everyone else seemed to be enjoying themselves.

“Hmm, well, I didn’t really want to be here,” he admitted. “Too much to do.”

She smiled sympathetically. “Lowell drag you?”

“Of course.” He stepped aside as several people jostled him, attempting to get into the kitchen. “I should be at home studying. I am so far behind.”

“Shouldn’t we all?” She rolled her eyes as she reached up and adjusted the teal beanie on her head. “But a drink or two won’t hurt. I’ll get up early and study tomorrow.”

“That’s my plan, too.” He pulled his phone out and glanced at the time. “Actually, I’m hoping Lowell finds someone to hook up with soon, so I can go back to the apartment and study tonight.”

Harper laughed. “Well, he usually does.”

“Yeah, well, as usual, he’s lusting after straight jocks, so it’ll have to be someone pretty spectacular to sway his attention.”

“Yeah, I heard Nathan Rhodes was here. I don’t blame Lowell for drooling. I’d hit that.”

Caleb ignored the funny little jump his stomach gave at hearing the hockey player’s name. Again. “Yeah, well, you’d have a chance. Lowell wouldn’t.”

“I don’t know, I heard rumors—”

Caleb cut her off. “I don’t want to hear it.”

Harper frowned at him. “Why do you always get your panties in a twist when anyone mentions Nathan?”

Caleb sighed heavily, not realizing he’d been so transparent. None of his friends knew about his history with the hockey player, but apparently, they had picked up on his dislike. “We went to high school together. I was a drama geek, and he was a jock. What do you think happened?”

With a wince, Harper nodded. “Okay, fair enough. He’s probably outgrown it, though. I mean, have you talked to him since?”

Caleb glared at her over the rim of his cup as he chugged the rest of his beer. He answered once the cup was empty. “No, and I don’t intend to.”

He pushed past Harper and into the kitchen. He cursed when he saw the same dark-haired, blue-eyed hockey god they’d been talking about, leaning against the counter near the keg. Disgusted at the way his heart leapt at the sight of the man, Caleb chucked his red plastic cup in the trash with more force than necessary.

“Caleb!” Harper called out after him, but he waved off her attention as he worked his way through the crowded kitchen, shoving people aside in his haste to get away. He glanced back and saw Nathan had looked up. At the sound of my name? Caleb wondered. But no, that was ridiculous. Nathan didn’t care about Caleb whatsoever. Their gazes locked for a minute. Caleb watched as recognition dawned and Nathan’s lips parted. The same intensity to his gaze that had always drawn Caleb in was still there. Nathan half-raised his hand in greeting, but something in Caleb’s expression must have warned him off, and he let it drop. Heart beating double time, Caleb turned away, looking for an exit. Leaving out the back door was the only option if he wanted to avoid both Harper and Nathan.

Spying a partially full fifth of liquor in the midst of the bags of chips and pretzels on the table, Caleb snagged it and disappeared out the sliding door before Harper could follow him. Fuck, fuck, fuck. The sight of Nathan sent him spiraling back into the state of mind he’d been in four years ago. I’ve done so well until now, too, he thought bitterly. The sounds of the party began to fade as he stepped off the deck and onto the grass. The air felt cool but soft, with the promise of spring around the corner, too nice for the mood he was in.

The house was on a tiny, narrow lot with a one-car garage. There was a broken-down lawn chair leaning against the siding, and he snagged it, carrying it around the back of the garage before opening it. He gave it a dubious glance—it looked like it could fall apart at any second—and gingerly took a seat. The view wasn’t exactly great; there was a pile of boards and what looked like shingles behind the garage, but at least he was hidden from view of the other partygoers. He let the fifth of liquor fall to the ground between his feet and buried his head in his hands. All he wanted was to go home and forget he’d ever been to this party. Forget he’d seen Nathan Rhodes.

But the image of him and the way his eyes lit up when he saw Caleb wouldn’t go away. Caleb’s hands shook as he lifted his head and reached for the bottle again. He twisted the lid off, sniffing curiously. Spiced rum. Well, it wasn’t the worst. Better than Jack anyway, and right now, he wasn’t picky. The alcohol burned on the way down but he kept drinking. He didn’t want to explain to Harper why he’d freaked out. Or face Nathan.

Caleb wanted oblivion. He’d drink until he was sure he wouldn’t care, then stagger home and sleep it off. Not the best Friday evening he’d ever had, but under the circumstances, it sounded like a decent plan. Better than spending the rest of the night thinking about Nathan anyway. He rested the bottle on his knee and wiped his mouth, eyeing it in the sickly yellow light filtering through the trees by the fence. How much would he have to drink before he stopped thinking about the guy he’d alternately crushed on and feared for four years of high school?

The guy he’d loved.

The guy who broke his heart.

Caleb wasn’t sure there was enough booze in the bottle. Maybe not even enough in an entire liquor store.

He lifted the bottle to his lips again, but movement out of the corner of his eye made him inhale and he sputtered and choked when the liquid went down wrong. He coughed into the crook of his elbow, eyes still watering, when he looked up at the figure standing beside him. The guy was tall, and his broad shoulders blocked what little light there was in the backyard. All Caleb could see was his silhouette. Caleb had no doubt it was Nathan in front of him, however.

He was bigger than he’d been in high school, dwarfing Caleb’s 5’10” frame even if he’d been standing.

Nathan’s voice was soft when he spoke, gentle like it’d always been. “Caleb Stockwell. I’ve been looking for you.”

Caleb cleared his throat and ignored him, tipping the bottle up for another long drink. He licked the spiciness from his lips as he debated making another run for it. There was a shrub blocking his way in one direction and a hockey player in the other. Even if he hadn’t been drinking, the odds weren’t in his favor. “Nathan Rhodes,” he managed.

“Damn, I can’t believe it’s you!” Nathan leaned in and Caleb pulled back, uncomfortable with him being so close.

Caleb laughed bitterly. “It’s me. Now that you’ve satisfied your curiosity, you can run along.” He motioned with his hand, encouraging Nathan to leave.

“It’s really good to see you,” Nathan said, ignoring him. He took a seat on the pile of discarded construction materials, his knees brushing Caleb’s as he lowered himself down. Caleb pulled away as if scorched.

“Yeah? Too bad I can’t say the same,” he muttered, his head swimming as the alcohol began to hit him. He eyed Nathan’s long, long legs and the way he was pinned in by them, remembering the way they’d felt tangled with his as they came, panting shallowly against each other’s skin. It brought it all back—the scent of Nathan’s cologne, the taste of his skin, the way Caleb’s heart raced in his chest when Nathan held him close. It brought back the memories—the ones he’d worked so hard to run from. The good and the bad. The sharp, intense happiness of falling for Nathan. The aching, crushing hurt that paralyzed Caleb for months after Nathan was no longer in his life. Everything he’d buried four years ago and vowed never to touch again.

He caught the first glimpse of doubt on Nathan’s face. “Are you okay, Caleb?”

“Oh, I’m motherfucking peachy,” he snarked and took another long drink. “I’ve made it through four fucking years trying to ignore the fact we’re on the same campus and with barely a month left in my senior year, I thought maybe I’d managed to pull it off. But nooo, Lowell had to drag me to this goddamn party, and of course you showed up too. Just my fucking luck.”

He raised the bottle again, but Nathan wrapped a hand around the neck and tugged. He was stronger than Caleb, so Caleb let go, afraid he’d end up getting pulled into Nathan’s lap if he didn’t. Nathan took a drink and passed the bottle back, licking the taste of rum off his lips before he spoke. “You’re so angry at me.”

“Ya think?” Caleb snarled. “Didn’t it ever occur to you I would be? What the hell makes you think you can waltz in here and pretend like all the shit that went down between us didn’t happen?” He tried to stand, but Nathan’s dark denim-clad knees were on either side of his, pinning him in place. He pried the bottle from Caleb’s suddenly limp fingers and set it aside.

“I don’t think that,” Nathan protested. “I was just glad to see you, and I … I wanted a chance to apologize. I didn’t … I wanted …”

Caleb’s lips parted in surprise as cool fingers framed his face, and for the first time in four long years, Nathan’s lips were pressed to his again. Involuntarily, Caleb closed his eyes, feeling a rush of heat wash over him, taking him right back to the first time. Before Nathan broke his heart.

Content Warning

This ebook contains scenes involving homophobia/homophobic language, bullying, an abusive father, injuries/medical content, internalized homophobia, bullying, coming out, complicated family relationships, self-loathing/shame, parental abandonment, an abusive/homophobic coach and teammates, anti-drag comments, shame, a third act breakup, death of family members and friends, and prolonged grief.



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