Can't Be His

By Shawn Lane

Exterminator Lonnie “Roach” Raines and ice skater Alexi Summerville have been friends and roommates for years, but they’ve never taken their relationship to the next level.

When Alexi’s coach wants him to train for the World Championship in another state, Roach is forced to examine his feelings before he loses Alexi, possibly for good.

• Language: English
• Publisher: JMS Books LLC
• Release date: Nov 12, 2016
• ISBN: 9781634862882

Shawn Lane

Shawn Lane is a multi-published author of gay romance. She lives and works in Southern California. She has been published by Loose Id, Amber Quill Press, Evernight Publishing, MLR Press, JMS Books, and Ellora’s Cave. For more information, visit smlgr8.blogspot.com.

Book preview

3

Chapter 1

Oh, fuck me, that hurts!

Alexi Summerville snorted. I bet it does. Your face is swollen, your arms are swollen. He stepped back and stared hard at Roach Haines, who sat straddling a kitchen chair while Alexi applied first aid. "In fact, you look like Violet from Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory."

Roach frowned in confusion. Who the hell is Violet?

The one that blows up like a big blueberry.

He gasped. Wait, what? I’m blue?

Alexi laughed. Well, no. But you know what I mean. How many times did the wasps sting you?

Sighing dramatically, Roach winced when he realized even that hurt. In all the time Lonnie Roach Haines had been working as an exterminator, five years to be exact, he’d been in a few mishaps. Once a rat had chomped his finger—he’d needed shots for that—and once, in the beginning, he’d accidentally sprayed poison on himself. He’d gone to the hospital for that. But this one, being stung by numerous wasps and swelling up like…well, a blueberry, he guessed, had to be the worst. Felt like it anyway.

I lost count. Had to be twenty or so. I ran inside Mrs. Cortez’s house and she slammed the door shut on the bastards. Roach shuddered.

Alexi’s adorable pixie face appeared directly in his vision, close enough for him to make out the pores in his roommate’s nose. Why didn’t you go to the hospital?

Roach shrugged. Mrs. Cortez wanted to call the paramedics, but it seemed a bit silly for some stings. I’m not allergic.

Well, maybe, but you are swollen up. Alexi applied a cold compress to Roach’s forehead. Maybe I should call my coach and cancel practice to stay with you.

Alexi practiced ice skating several hours a day in preparation for the World Championships coming up in a few months. He’s already won the silver medal in the United States Championships.

Reviews for Can't Be His

[drez-3 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Too short. I think this would have been better if it had been a bit longer.