What is Rainbow Snippets? It’s a group of LGBT+ authors who post six sentences (or more) from a current WIP, published work or even something they’ve read that they want to rave about. Click on the link below the rainbow to be transported to a place of wonder where you will find tasters of everything from sweet romance, to hot and steamy, to fantasy and sci-fi.
From my brand new release: Cid. Here is the blurb for this new work:
Ask 26-year-old artist Cid Walker how he’s feeling and you’ll likely get a snarl, or a glare, but not a real answer. Cid’s soul is so damaged from a brutal and savage ex-fiancé that trusting anyone is out of the question.
Two classmates try to get his attention; Barry and Kellen. Barry is only 18 and a very naïve, sweet boy-next-door type who is young, needy, and anxious to get involved with the mysterious artist. He wants to be with Cid more than anything, but his efforts fail.
Kellen, all of 22, is as snarky as Cid is at first, but soon manages to get across to him. Kellen understands why Cid is acting out because Kellen is also keeping his soul and psyche intact with mere Band-Aids after being attacked a few years ago.
Add in a stalker that won’t take ‘no’ for an answer and you have Cid’s life at the moment. Who can get through his broken heart?
We pick up things with Cid and Barry’s coffee ‘date’.
They waited in complete silence for a few minutes while the coffee brewed. Cid eyed his guest and saw that his posture was slumped, and he had one foot turned in the direction of the door; like he’d run given the chance.
“If you want me to leave, just say it,” Barry stammered. “You’re being this badass bully and I’m sick of it already. If you don’t like me at all just say so and we’ll never speak again.”
Wow, what could he say to that? He could reveal why he was this way or he could keep doing what he’d been. Covering.
“Don’t leave, okay? The coffee is done. If you want to stay, then do.”
He wouldn’t beg anyone, ever. He wouldn’t even say ‘please’.
Barry nodded and reached for a mug. After he put in his cream and sugar, he held the mug close to his face and drank the beverage quickly.
“Then be nicer to me. I haven’t done a damn thing wrong.”
After much tweaking and rewriting (and a new title too) the book formerly known as ‘Refugees’ will be known as ‘This Time Around’. It is still the tale following the two men left behind in the wake of the angsty dramatic ‘For the Heart of Phillip’.
Look for a release date soon as the final touches are being put on this book.
What is Rainbow Snippets? It’s a group of LGBT+ authors who post six sentences (or more) from a current WIP, published work or even something they’ve read that they want to rave about. Click on the link below the rainbow to be transported to a place of wonder where you will find tasters of everything from sweet romance, to hot and steamy, to fantasy and sci-fi.
From my brand new release: Cid. Here is the blurb for this new work:
Ask 26-year-old artist Cid Walker how he’s feeling and you’ll likely get a snarl, or a glare, but not a real answer. Cid’s soul is so damaged from a brutal and savage ex-fiancé that trusting anyone is out of the question.
Two classmates try to get his attention; Barry and Kellen. Barry is only 18 and a very naïve, sweet boy-next-door type who is young, needy, and anxious to get involved with the mysterious artist. He wants to be with Cid more than anything, but his efforts fail.
Kellen, all of 22, is as snarky as Cid is at first, but soon manages to get across to him. Kellen understands why Cid is acting out because Kellen is also keeping his soul and psyche intact with mere Band-Aids after being attacked a few years ago.
Add in a stalker that won’t take ‘no’ for an answer and you have Cid’s life at the moment. Who can get through his broken heart?
We pick up things with Cid and Barry’s coffee ‘date’.
At four on the dot, a knock was heard on Cid’s door. He actually snuck a quick look in the mirror and made sure his hair and beanie looked good. He’d trimmed his goatee that morning so he knew he looked pretty hot.
Wait, what was he doing all this for? This wasn’t a date. This was coffee.
Just java.
Cid opened the door and saw Barry with his backpack missing. It was so big that not having it caught his eye first thing.
“Oh wow, I bet your back and shoulders feel better, huh?”
Barry cocked a brow. “Oh! Right, yeah.” He snickered. “I swear I feel like a camel with it on. Carrying my life on my shoulders. They’re taking a real beating.”
“I bet.”
They paused and Barry shifted his weight back and forth. “Um, aren’t you going to invite me in?”
Cid had to stifle a laugh. What was this, the 1950’s? Who was this polite anymore?
“Come on in, kiddo. I need you to tell me which coffee you want.”
With a spring in his step, Barry joined him and perused the selection of coffees. He chose a dark blue pouch from the back and handed it to Cid.
“This one.”
Cid nodded and looked at the type. French Roast.
Of course it’d have to be French.
“Coming right up. I like Colombian myself.”
“Make yours first…I can wait.” Barry offered.
“But you’re the guest, right? I mean, that’s what my foster folks always told me. What little company we had we always had to wait.”
“Uh yeah, then do mine first if you want. I don’t really care about the coffee, Cid.”
The hair on Cid’s neck stood up as he turned to start making the beverage. He turned to face his guest.
“Oh? Just what the hell do you care about?” he asked in a direct, gruff tone. Barry backed away.
“Geez, dude. Just to talk, okay? Get to know you better. Holy fuck, is that such a crime?”
No, it wasn’t and Cid knew that, but his nerves were clearly getting the best of him.
What is Rainbow Snippets? It’s a group of LGBT+ authors who post six sentences (or more) from a current WIP, published work or even something they’ve read that they want to rave about. Click on the link below the rainbow to be transported to a place of wonder where you will find tasters of everything from sweet romance, to hot and steamy, to fantasy and sci-fi.
From my brand new release: Cid. Here is the blurb for this new work:
Ask 26-year-old artist Cid Walker how he’s feeling and you’ll likely get a snarl, or a glare, but not a real answer. Cid’s soul is so damaged from a brutal and savage ex-fiancé that trusting anyone is out of the question.
Two classmates try to get his attention; Barry and Kellen. Barry is only 18 and a very naïve, sweet boy-next-door type who is young, needy, and anxious to get involved with the mysterious artist. He wants to be with Cid more than anything, but his efforts fail.
Kellen, all of 22, is as snarky as Cid is at first, but soon manages to get across to him. Kellen understands why Cid is acting out because Kellen is also keeping his soul and psyche intact with mere Band-Aids after being attacked a few years ago.
Add in a stalker that won’t take ‘no’ for an answer and you have Cid’s life at the moment. Who can get through his broken heart?
We pick up things with Cid a week after the lunchroom conversation with him and Barry. This is MUCH longer than a snippet…but I want to show that Cid isn’t all bad.
“What’d I do wrong?” Barry asked. His face looked so innocent and yet for all Cid knew he was a letch in disguise that had the act down solid. He was a young man and in college young men turned into assholes. Just ask his ex.
“Chill.” Was all the reply he could muster. He didn’t like to get in trouble in class, believe it or not. He honestly just wanted to be left alone.
“Is it a fucking crime to ask you out for coffee?” Barry grumbled.
Half of Cid wanted to react with a ‘hell yeah it is’ but he actually felt a twinge of regret for a second. Was that possible anymore? Was he being too mean to this kid?
“No. It isn’t,” Cid responded, his tone a little softer. Maybe, just possibly, this kid wasn’t a wolf in sheep’s clothing after all. He truthfully looked to be on the verge of tears.
“Try being a human once, it might take hold,” Barry spat back at him and turned to watch the professor.
Ouch! I didn’t think he had that in him. Maybe I’ve been too cold?
After digging deep inside himself and sketching out another elaborate ‘B’ in his notebook, Cid shut his eyes for a moment and ran his fingers through his hair. The beanie he always wore was warm, it usually was, but it was his ‘look’ just as the boots and ripped up clothing were. He wanted to be the badass, so nobody would approach him.
Now that someone wanted to, who seemed human, he was shoving them away faster than anything.
Fine. Fine. Whatever. It’s coffee, Cid. Chillax you moron.
“Barry?” he whispered.
At first he was ignored and he saw the young man quickly swipe at his face.
Jesus. I got to him that badly?
“Hey…I’ll go to coffee.” He figured being direct would be better than pussyfooting around. He hated that worse than most anything.
The sweet, beardless face turned in his direction.
“You mean it?”
“Absolutely. Café or…?”
“Didn’t you say you had your own?”
Crap. Yeah, he did say that. Oh what the hell huh? In for a penny, right? He could always report him to the dean and get him on the security list if he caused trouble.
Cid felt a stab of anger. How sad was it that he had to already think that far ahead to have someone arrested and a restraining order used?
“Yeah, I do,” he said. “There? About three?”
“I’ve got class then. About four?”
That wasn’t too late for coffee, not in college. Hell, Cid was going to be up until about one again just catching up on homework.
“Deal,” he agreed and gave Barry a faint smile.
“Cool. Write down your room, I’ll find it.”
With his nerves mostly in check, Cid wrote down his dorm number and ripped it from his notebook. But he couldn’t bring himself to pass along the info just yet.
“Wait, what’s yours?”
Barry knitted his brows. “Why?”
“I’ve…had some issues. It’s only fair. Besides, I might want to see your room too.”
Either that was a flirt of a threat, Cid couldn’t decide which. But it seemed to work.
“Here.” Barry handed him a slip of paper. “I’d like to show you.”
Was he for real? His hand was shaking. Am I that scary?
“Thanks.” He let out a breath and passed his number to Barry. “Back atcha.”
That beautiful, brilliant smile was back and Cid could tell this kid was for real.
“I can’t wait.” Barry beamed.
For the first time in forever, Cid had to admit; neither could he.
What is Rainbow Snippets? It’s a group of LGBT+ authors who post six sentences (or more) from a current WIP, published work or even something they’ve read that they want to rave about. Click on the link below the rainbow to be transported to a place of wonder where you will find tasters of everything from sweet romance, to hot and steamy, to fantasy and sci-fi.
From my brand new release: Cid. Here is the blurb for this new work:
Ask 26-year-old artist Cid Walker how he’s feeling and you’ll likely get a snarl, or a glare, but not a real answer. Cid’s soul is so damaged from a brutal and savage ex-fiancé that trusting anyone is out of the question.
Two classmates try to get his attention; Barry and Kellen. Barry is only 18 and a very naïve, sweet boy-next-door type who is young, needy, and anxious to get involved with the mysterious artist. He wants to be with Cid more than anything, but his efforts fail.
Kellen, all of 22, is as snarky as Cid is at first, but soon manages to get across to him. Kellen understands why Cid is acting out because Kellen is also keeping his soul and psyche intact with mere Band-Aids after being attacked a few years ago.
Add in a stalker that won’t take ‘no’ for an answer and you have Cid’s life at the moment. Who can get through his broken heart?
We pick up things with Cid a week after the lunchroom conversation with him and Barry.
A week had passed since anyone had spoken to Cid. Well, that wasn’t entirely true. Barry tried to talk to him, for all the good it did.
The only thing on earth Cid wanted to do was paint. Maybe sketch, but either way he wanted to be away from everyone and not have to talk. Lord how he hated to talk. His words were always misconstrued, twisted, or taken out of context. All that used to win him was another blow from a strong hand; first from his foster parents and then from his ex-fiancé. Why the hell should he try anymore?
Today was especially awkward. He could feel Barry’s eyes on him and it made him more and more uncomfortable.
He had to remind himself that not everyone was the jerk-wad who’d ruined his life, but he had a very hard time telling himself the daily affirmation. For all he knew Barry was worse. No one could be better, that just wasn’t possible, was it?
As the professor prattled on about a particular composition, Cid doodled in his notebook. He’d loved to write and draw ever since he was a tot. As a grade schooler his notebooks would be half works of art and half notes. How he ever passed he didn’t know.
“Ahem…”
Cid rolled his eyes and knew the voice. It was Barry of course.
What is Rainbow Snippets? It’s a group of LGBT+ authors who post six sentences (or more) from a current WIP, published work or even something they’ve read that they want to rave about. Click on the link below the rainbow to be transported to a place of wonder where you will find tasters of everything from sweet romance, to hot and steamy, to fantasy and sci-fi.
From my brand new release: Cid. Here is the blurb for this new work:
Ask 26-year-old artist Cid Walker how he’s feeling and you’ll likely get a snarl, or a glare, but not a real answer. Cid’s soul is so damaged from a brutal and savage ex-fiancé that trusting anyone is out of the question.
Two classmates try to get his attention; Barry and Kellen. Barry is only 18 and a very naïve, sweet boy-next-door type who is young, needy, and anxious to get involved with the mysterious artist. He wants to be with Cid more than anything, but his efforts fail.
Kellen, all of 22, is as snarky as Cid is at first, but soon manages to get across to him. Kellen understands why Cid is acting out because Kellen is also keeping his soul and psyche intact with mere Band-Aids after being attacked a few years ago.
Add in a stalker that won’t take ‘no’ for an answer and you have Cid’s life at the moment. Who can get through his broken heart?
We pick up right from where we left off; and a long size snippet so we finish off the scene of this lunch with Cid and Barry 🙂
Truth be told, they were colored contacts, but Barry seemed smitten with them. Almost as much as he was with Barry’s eyes.
“Me too.”
“Blue is my favorite color,” Cid offered, and he swallowed quickly.
Barry grinned. The awkwardness of the conversation made them think their food was far easier to talk to. Their hunger must’ve taken over, because both young men finished wolfing down their lunches.
“I gotta go do my homework now,” Cid informed him, with a melancholic note to his voice. For once he didn’t want to leave.
“Bummer. I’ve got one more class after this then back to the dorms.”
“Bummer.” Cid parroted. “Hey, listen…about that coffee? I’ve got a coffeemaker in my room; if you want some, that is.”
What the hell am I doing? Not only talking to someone but almost telling him where I live?
“Cool. I’ll see what shape I’m in later, okay?”
Ok, that was fair; Cid flipped out earlier at the invite, now Barry was being cautious.
“Can we text?” Barry asked, presenting his smartphone.
Shit. Cid nodded. “Um, well you can try. I don’t have a phone like that, but it can get texts.” He dug deep in his backpack for his phone and showed off his ancient ‘dumb’ phone. “I don’t like those types of phones.”
Barry looked amused. “It’s cool. I’m way too addicted to it. You’re awesome for bucking the system.”
Cid almost smiled. Almost! But his doors were about to come down as he felt his fears build. “I gotta go, okay? I’ll see you in class Thursday.”
“Wait…I thought we were gonna…” Barry stopped mid-sentence. “Never mind. I’m way too over the top. I’ll see you then.” He tucked his phone back into his backpack and took off quickly down the hallway. Cid watched him go and he let out a groan.
Awesome job, asshole. Idiot.
Cid curled his fist and punched his backpack before he went back to his dorm, where he sat and moped for over two hours before doing anything productive.
