Double Dose

By Gene Taylor

Everyone Blayne Carter knows has lost his or her mind. He doesn't have a twin, so why do people keep swearing they’ve seen him in places he hasn’t been? Blayne finally spots the look-alike at a gay bar and becomes intrigued, but his longtime friend and former lover, Doug Adams, distracts him, and Blayne loses track of his supposed twin. Some friend Doug is. Thanks, dude.

But Doug vows to make it up to Blayne and discovers the name of this doppelganger: Cary Fontaine. Doug sets up a meeting for Blayne and Cary, hoping Blayne will share all the details—down to the bare facts. Seriously, Doug is as curious as Blayne to find out exactly how much these two look alike, clothes on and off.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
• Release date: Apr 30, 2014
• ISBN: 9781627986366

Book preview

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Chapter 1

CARY FONTAINE sat at the kitchen table, glancing up at the clock on the wall next to the refrigerator in his Seattle apartment every once in a while. There wasn’t much time left before he would have to leave for work. He softly drummed his fingers on the table with one hand while he played with the coffee mug handle with his other. The coffee had begun to cool and was just about gone, but Cary wasn’t particularly inclined to pour a second cup. He was waiting for his boyfriend to climb out of the shower, get dressed, and show up in the kitchen to offer Cary some sort of explanation for the night before.

I just can’t wait to hear the story this time. Then he frowned, got up, and poured that second cup anyway. If it’s another lame story about visiting his sick grandmother or running into some old fraternity brothers and reminiscing at a bar until the early hours of the morning… well, I’m just going to have to—

His thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of his until-recently-delinquent lover, Landon Harper, who was grinning sheepishly as he stood there in the kitchen doorway, nervously running his fingers through his still-damp, wavy brown hair.

Hi there, sweetie. I’m surprised to see you. I thought you’d have already left for the office by this time. He, too, looked up at the clock.

Oh, I just bet you hoped that would be true. I’m sure of that. And I probably should have already gone, but I needed something amusing… like one of your stories… to perk up the beginning of my day.

Why, whatever do you mean by that? The quizzical look on Landon’s face was almost convincing, Cary thought.

Oh, I just figured you might want to entertain me with some sort of wild explanation as to where you were until a little after three this morning. I knew you’d have a really good yarn ready to share with me.

Landon sat down at the table, still wearing his best innocent look. His face suddenly assumed a tender you’re-about-to-make-me-cry expression. You really hurt my feelings when you say things like that. I didn’t do anything wrong. Just because I came in a little late—

Could we just skip all the denials and other nonsense? Let’s get right to the point.

Well… it’s like this. An old friend from college unexpectedly dropped by my office yesterday afternoon and wanted to visit with me. It seems that he and his wife are having some problems… and he wanted my advice….

That’s the best you can do? Drinks with an old friend and marriage counseling?

No, it’s true, honey. My friend’s name is Roger Simon, and he’s straight. He got married right after graduation… and now they’re about to have their first baby.

Cary smiled slyly. Do tell. And what’s the problem in paradise that needed your valuable input to save the day?

Now don’t put it like that. You sound like you don’t believe me when you get sarcastic like that.

Forgive me if I’m more than a little skeptical. He sighed, shook his head slowly, and continued. I guess your track record keeps getting in the way. You know what I mean—those little indiscretions you’ve already confessed to in the past. The ones that amounted to tricks with guys from work, in the park, in the restrooms all over town… I’m frankly amazed you even told me about all of those.

Landon became stony-faced at the list of his transgressions. You forced it out of me. I told you at the time how sorry I was—

"I know how sorry you were, all right! That’s sorry behavior if I ever heard it."

You don’t have to be so mean about it. I told you the truth, and I promised to behave.

"And have you behaved? Is this just another one of your slipups, as you like to call them?"

This time, Landon looked more distraught. I think I’ll have a cup of coffee, too. This early-morning grilling is about to wear me down. He got up, selected another mug from the little rack by the coffeepot, and poured himself a generous, steaming cup.

He’s trying to distract me while he thinks really hard for a cleaned-up version of whatever really happened last night. I wonder if we’ll ever get to the truth?

Are you having a difficult time dreaming up ways to sanitize your actions this time? Cary smiled bitterly. After all those promises to be good… I guess this must be very difficult for you.

Landon brought his coffee to the table and sat down. He paused for a moment and very pointedly looked directly into Cary’s eyes. Then he sighed, too. All right. I’ll tell you all of it.

Good. I’m glad to hear it since I’m running out of time this morning… but on the other hand, would you rather save it until tonight… so you’ll have more time to, uh, compose your story? Uh, I mean… compose yourself.

Landon shook his head. No. It’s all right. I’ll spill it right now. And I don’t blame you for being so sarcastic with me. Maybe this time I’ve gone way too far….

Cary sighed and shrugged. Just get to the point, please.

Well, that part about an old friend having trouble with his wife is true. We really were good friends in college. But part of what I left out is that he’s actually bisexual… not straight.

Uh-oh. That sounds intriguing—and promises to be good.

"I became aware of this while we were in school because I ran into him a few times at some parties thrown by a little circle of gay friends