Playing the Field: Victory Lap

By J.M. Snyder

At 33, Josh Helton isn't exactly on top of his game. Overweight and out of shape, he's content with his lazy lifestyle until he starts having chest pains.

That wakes him up. After a hard look at his life, he realizes he isn't where he wants to be. His body needs work, and his love life does, too. Ditching his abusive boyfriend is just the beginning. Josh takes up running to get fit, and promises himself he'll run the annual Richmond 10K.

It's on an early morning jog that he meets Chad, a sexy bicyclist who's everything Josh has always wanted in a guy. But Josh isn't confident in himself any more ... so it's up to Chad to make the first move.

• Language: English
• Publisher: JMS Books LLC
• Release date: Oct 22, 2012
• ISBN: 9781611522303

J.M. Snyder

An author of gay erotic romance, J.M. Snyder began self-publishing gay erotic fiction in 2002. Since then, Snyder has worked with several e-publishers, most notably Amber Allure Press and eXcessica Publishing.Snyder’s short fiction has appeared online at Ruthie’s Club, Tit-Elation, Eros Monthly, and Amazon Shorts, as well as in anthologies released by Alyson Books, Cleis Press, and others.For more book excerpts, free fiction, and purchasing information, please visit http://jmsnyder.net.

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Playing the Field: Victory Lap

By J.M. Snyder

Published by JMS Books LLC at Smashwords

Visit jms-books.com for more information.

Copyright 2012 J.M. Snyder

ISBN 9781611522303

For more titles by J.M. Snyder at Smashwords visit https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/jmsnyder

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Cover Credits: Martinmark | Dreamstime.com

Used under a Standard Royalty-Free License.

Cover Design: Written Ink Designs | written-ink.com

All rights reserved.

WARNING: This book is not transferable. It is for your own personal use. If it is sold, shared, or given away, it is an infringement of the copyright of this work and violators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

No portion of this book may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher, with the exception of brief excerpts used for the purposes of review.

This book is for ADULT AUDIENCES ONLY. It contains substantial sexually explicit scenes and graphic language which may be considered offensive by some readers. Please store your files where they cannot be accessed by minors.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are solely the product of the author’s imagination and/or are used fictitiously, though reference may be made to actual historical events or existing locations. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Published in the United States of America.

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Playing the Field: Victory Lap

By J.M. Snyder

Josh Helton woke with his alarm at six-thirty Saturday morning. As much as he would have loved to hit the snooze button, roll over in his covers, and go back to sleep, he knew he had to get moving. If he cried off now, he’d have no one to blame but himself.

The hardest part was that first step out of the bed. Throwing back the covers wasn’t too difficult, but his body wanted to just lie there, spread-eagled on the mattress, savoring the cool breeze generated by the ceiling fan. The thought of getting dressed, getting into the car, and driving to Bryan Park exhausted him. He could run tomorrow…

And you’ll feel the same way then, his mind whispered. It was true. That attitude is what helped put on the hundred pounds you dropped over the summer. So get that lazy ass in gear and get moving.

This time, he did. He swung one leg over the side of the bed, then the other. Then hauled himself up, whole body protesting the motion. But once he was sitting, it was easier to stand. And once he stood, he realized he needed to pee.

That got him moving, down the hall and into the bathroom to relieve his aching bladder.

Once that was done, he had no excuse. When he returned to the bedroom, the disheveled bed didn’t look as appealing as it had when he’d been in it. He pulled the covers into some semblance of order, stepped out of his boxers, and dressed. Tank top, running shorts, heavy socks despite the August heat. Sweat bands on his wrists, though he thought they looked silly. He had a headband, too, but he wasn’t going to wear it. That was so 1970’s, and no matter how retro fashion might be, he wasn’t about to rock that. Instead he