Like and Subscribe

By Jay Bell

Remember that hunky guy on YouTube who caught your eye? The one with the awesome pecs and killer smile? I bet you couldn't stop watching his videos. Just imagine if you had a chance to meet him and all your fantasies started coming true. There's only one catch: Between you and your dream guy is his less-than-pleased boyfriend. They say that love conquers all, but can love conquer love?

Like and Subscribe is a new short story by Jay Bell, the author of Something Like Summer.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jay Bell
• Release date: Nov 28, 2013
• ISBN: 9781310001864

Jay Bell

Jay Bell is a proud gay man and the award-winning author behind dozens of emotional and yet hopelessly optimistic stories. His best-selling book, Something Like Summer, spawned a series of heart-wrenching novels, a musically driven movie, and a lovingly drawn comic. When not crafting imaginary worlds, he occupies his free time with animals, art, action figures, and—most ardently—his husband Andreas. Jay is always dreaming up new stories about boys in love. If that sounds like your cup of tea, you can get the kettle boiling by visiting www.jaybellbooks.com.

Book preview

Jay Bell Books

www.jaybellbooks.com

Like and Subscribe © 2013 Jay Bell

ISBN: 9781310001864

Published by Jay Bell at Smashwords

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This story is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons living or dead, or events present or past, is purely coincidental. They are productions of the author's fevered imagination and used fictitiously. All rights reserved.

-=Books by Jay Bell=-

The Something Like… series

#1 Something Like Summer

#2 Something Like Autumn

#3 Something Like Winter

#4 Something Like Spring

#5 Something Like Lightning

#6 Something Like Thunder

#7 Something Like Stories - Volume One

#8 Something Like Hail

#9 Something Like Rain

#10 Something Like Stories - Volume Two

#11 Something Like Forever

#12 Something Like Stories - Volume Three

The Loka Legends series

#1 The Cat in the Cradle

#2 From Darkness to Darkness

Other Novels

Kamikaze Boys

Hell’s Pawn

Straight Boy

Out of Time, Into You

Other Short Stories

The Boy at the Bottom of the Fountain

Language Lessons

Like & Subscribe

__________

Like and Subscribe

by Jay Bell

_________

Someday I’m going to marry you.

Evan said these words with just enough humor to not sound completely crazy, and yet he also tried to give them weight. Such a promise was serious and could change the course of his entire life. Assuming the other person was willing. So far, so good. Tony’s smile didn’t falter or fade. Those white teeth were still showing, each perfectly straight and flawless, as if treated to a manicure every day. The hazel green eyes remained shining, one eyebrow cocked in mild amusement. The thick hair was perfect—not sculpted or gelled, but loose and natural, as if Tony had simply been born with the perfect style. The fold in the cheek cause by the slightly lopsided smile, the stubble on the strong jaw, the dimple in his chin… Oh yes, Evan wanted to marry Tony more than anything!

He pushed against the arms of his seat, the chair creaking as he peeked over the cubicle wall. Nearly quitting time on a Friday. Most people had ducked out early. Evan was mostly alone, thank goodness, which meant no one had overheard him. Lowering himself again, he considered the autographed headshot, examining the looping black marker in one corner that spelled out Tony Taylor. Then his fantasy resumed.

What’s that? Evan breathed. All this talk of marriage is too soon? You want to try before you buy? Very well. He stared half lidded at those handsome features a moment. Then he brought the photo close and pressed his lips to Tony’s.

After a moment that felt more awkward than romantic, Evan set down the photo and sighed, but not in satisfaction. Could he be more pathetic? Talking to a photo, nearly proposing, and then kissing it… No, it didn’t get much lower than that, but Evan didn’t blush or chastise himself. Desperation was an old acquaintance, the kind he could share a comfortable silence with. Besides, his infatuation with Tony was hardly new.

For most people, Tony Taylor was an online persona and nothing more. Admittedly, Evan’s obsession had started the way it did for the other half-million subscribers. He’d discovered one of Tony’s videos on YouTube, lured in by the little thumbnail image of a searing hot guy without his shirt on. Clicking increased the size of the image and brought it to life. Nice big pecs, meaty shoulders, and mouth-watering stomach muscles. Evan hadn’t heard anything Tony had to say for the first few minutes. The words spilling out of those delicious lips were gibberish as Evan’s brain bowed to his libido and left the room. When his thought processes finally returned, he became twice as fascinated because he knew this man. For real. This was no delusion or instant crush. Tony Taylor had once been known as Anthony Taylor, and nearly five years ago, he and Evan had been in high school together.

Of course that was the full extent of their association. Anthony had been one of the many guys Evan would gaze at longingly—usually out of the corner of his eye, or while in a crowd where he was less likely to be noticed. They had even shared a class together. Sophomore year biology. Anthony had been cute back then, always hanging out with a small group of friends who seemed like trouble. Once he had shaved half his head, letting the other side remain long, and for a brief phase he wore a fake lip piercing. Cute. But Anthony the man—now Tony Taylor—wasn’t cute. He was stunning, handsome, manly, studly… Ugh!

Evan shook his head and put the autographed photo back in the mailing envelope. Some deluded part of him had hoped Tony would recognize his name from high school and include a personal note. Maybe an invitation to dinner. He hadn’t. Evan tried to feel relieved about this. Sometimes his obsession with Tony was an annoyance. Countless times he had unsubscribed from his channel, only to return, weak and curious, a few days later. After catching up with what he had missed, Evan would watch the video, the one that proved Tony was much more than a pretty face. Then he would give in and subscribe again.

Free time and the Internet. Never a good combination.

Evan shook his head to clear it of pretty images and silly fantasies. Then he stood, put on his coat, and walked out of the office, considering

Reviews for Like and Subscribe

[kassilem · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is short and sweet, and a good read. I wasn't expecting it to be as good as it was, but that will show me that anything Bell writes is going to be good, as long as you like good romance. The story does bring to mind the pros and cons of the internet, and how its so easy to lie online these days. A person can't really know another person through internet interaction. I enjoyed how this was played into the story. Very well done.

[Estarianne · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very cute story about being in love with a person who doesn't exist. I am not sure how the replacement crush is any more of a sure thing, but I do like the sentiment.

[AntMan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

BEST story EVER !! i'm still misty eyed from reading this story- everything about it was perfect. definitely a must read if you're the slightest bit hopeless romantic-- except there was hope in this story. thank you, thank you, thank you_ jay bell- for sharing this sweet story.

[tonifgmamtc · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a nice quick sweet feel good read. I like the message behind it. Makes you think looking past the shiny and finding the important things in life. It contains good writing and is pretty entertaining.