Falling for Vince

By Megan Slayer

FROM POPULAR AUTHOR OF LGBTQIA ROMANCE MEGAN SLAYER

Book four in the Love Me Do series

Are second chances possible when the first chance never really happened?

Vince Rhodes has loved Cody Burrows for years, but he's never been bold enough to ask him out. This wallflower is ready to make a move, so he enlists the help of James, the resident stylist at Dye Hard Style and unofficial matchmaker, to hook him up with his crush. Vince is betting it all on Cody giving him a chance, but will he?

Cody Burrows has admired Vince since they were both in high school. While he was the solid athlete unable to come out, Vince showed his rainbow proudly. Now they're both older and wiser...and matched up by James. Will Cody allow himself to be free with Vince and find his heart's delight or will he keep the barriers around his heart forever?

Maybe falling for Vince is just what Cody needs...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pride Publishing
• Release date: Jul 19, 2022
• ISBN: 9781839432194

Megan Slayer

Megan Slayer, aka Wendi Zwaduk, is a multi-published, award-winning author of more than one-hundred short stories and novels. She’s been writing since 2008 and published since 2009. Her stories range from the contemporary and paranormal to LGBTQ and BDSM themes. No matter what the length, her works are always hot, but with a lot of heart. She enjoys giving her characters a second chance at love, no matter what the form. She’s been the runner up in the Kink Category at Love Romances Café as well as nominated at the LRC for best author, best contemporary, best ménage and best anthology. Her books have made it to the bestseller lists on Amazon.com. When she’s not writing, Megan spends time with her husband and son as well as three dogs and three cats. She enjoys art, music and racing, but football is her sport of choice.

Book preview

Pride Publishing books by Megan Slayer

Single Books

Constant

Permanent

Vaulting

Drive my Car

We Belong Together

Finding Michael

Rogue Royal

Must Love Dogs

The One I Want

You and Me Again

The Real Me

My Other Half

Cedarwood Pride

Home to Cedarwood

Ripples in Cedarwood

Scoring in Cedarwood

Rainbows over Cedarwood

Rocking Cedarwood

Cedarwood Manny

Together in Cedarwood

Doc Cedarwood

Finding Forever in Cedarwood

Silver Fox in Cedarwood

Cedarwood Cowboy

Christmas in Cedarwood

Second Chances in Cedarwood

Starting Over in Cedarwood

Love Me Do

Loving Summer Rain

Complicating Roy

Winning Over Harmon

Anthologies

Out of Bounds: Crossing the Line

Out of Bounds: Making the Play

Aim High: Lifetime Hitch

Brothers in Arms: One Night with You

Rules of Summer: Summer Stock

Collections

What’s his Passion?: Wild Card

Love’s Bloom: Love Next Door

Sun, Sea and…: Sun, Sea and Summer Songs

Love Me Do

FALLING FOR VINCE

MEGAN SLAYER

Falling for Vince

ISBN # 978-1-83943-219-4

©Copyright Megan Slayer 2022

Cover Art by Fiona Jayde ©Copyright July 2022

Interior text design by Claire Siemaszkiewicz

Pride Publishing

This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Pride Publishing.

Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Pride Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.

The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

Published in 2022 by Pride Publishing, United Kingdom.

No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the authors’ rights. Purchase only authorised copies.

Pride Publishing is an imprint of Totally Entwined Group Limited.

If you purchased this book without a cover you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as unsold and destroyed to the publisher and neither the author nor the publisher has received any payment for this stripped book.

Book four in the Love Me Do series

Are second chances possible when the first chance never really happened?

Vince Rhodes has loved Cody Burrows for years, but he’s never been bold enough to ask him out. This wallflower is ready to make a move, so he enlists the help of James, the resident stylist at Dye Hard Style and unofficial matchmaker, to hook him up with his crush. Vince is betting it all on Cody giving him a chance, but will he?

Cody Burrows has admired Vince since they were both in high school. While he was the solid athlete unable to come out, Vince showed his rainbow proudly. Now they’re both older and wiser…and matched up by James. Will Cody allow himself to be free with Vince and find his heart’s delight or will he keep the barriers around his heart forever?

Maybe falling for Vince is just what Cody needs…

Dedication

For the Lucky Ducks

For RB

For JPZ & TPZ

Chapter One

One more rep. You’ve got it in you. Cody Burrows spotted for his client Bri. He didn’t want her to overstress herself, but liked how she’d pushed to the next weight level on the machine. You’ve got this.

She did another squat on the machine, then placed the weight back in the rack. Damn, you’re making me work hard today.

If you want to make the stage this year, you need to keep up the hard reps. He handed her a towel. You’re building great muscle, so you should be pleased with your results. You’ve got your spray tan scheduled, right?

I do. She patted down her face and shoved the stray wisps of her hair out of her eyes. Should be Monday so it’s set for the competition on Wednesday.

Good. He loved working at Workout! and helping his clients get into shape. Some people around Norville considered him a gym rat and he didn’t care. He liked the way he looked, liked helping people realize their fitness dreams and keeping the town fit.

I’m excited for the competition. I never thought I’d do a body builder anything. She grinned and her green eyes glittered. Paul is so proud of me.

He should be. You should be proud of yourself, though. You’ve put in the hours and it shows. Cody took the towel from her and sighed as her boyfriend crossed the room.

Bri kissed Paul on the lips and seemed to forget Cody was standing there.

Cody tossed the towel in the bin, then left the lovers to their conversation. He tamped down his jealousy along the way. Some men would’ve wanted to be with Bri—she was pretty, smart and took care of herself. But he wasn’t interested in women.

He wasn’t interested in her boyfriend, either. Paul was nice, but too much of a jock. Cody liked the quiet types. The sensitive men who liked to read and could converse with him about music. Most people saw Cody as the muscle-bound guy at the gym or the former high school athlete who’d brought Norville High School awards in cross-country and track. According to some, he had it all, but not what he wanted the most.

A relationship.

Truth be told, he was jealous of Bri or Paul, but of what they had and how they shared their passion for each other. He hated being alone and missed having someone in his life. Someone to share conversations and his bed. Someone to hold when the nights were chilly or thunderstorms rolled through. He might be forty-one, but he still feared the rolls of thunder and streaks of lightning.

They’re so full of each other. Ty, one of the other trainers, joined Cody at the counter. I’d say get a room, but they’d probably do it.

Probably. He logged the time with Bri on the app, then checked the calendar. He didn’t have another client today, but he’d have to come back to the gym to work the counter at six. One of these days he’d have a full day off.

Are you working with anyone else today? Ty asked. You’re always booked.

Not this afternoon. I’m heading to Dye Hard Style to get a haircut, then back here to run the desk. He shrugged. Dawson says he can’t get more trainers, but he might if he’d put out a call for help wanted.

That’d make sense. Ty leaned on the counter and folded his arms. I don’t know why you’re getting a cut already. It’s barely grown out.

I like to keep my hair short. His style was part of his armor. If he looked like the jock, then no one would expect much from him. He could hide behind his façade and stay safe. He’d been hurt too many times by men who thought he wasn’t bright and hated when they found out the opposite.

You should grow it out a little. Just on top. Ty frowned, then crossed his ankles. You might get a date that way.

Who says I need a date? Besides me?

Me, for one. I hate seeing you so sad. You act like you’re in a good mood, but I see the way you glare at the couples. You’re lonely.

He hated when Ty was right. So?

You want someone.

He groaned. But I never get out of here long enough to meet someone. The guys who come in here think I’m stupid. That I’ve got muscles for brains, not actual brains. He squeezed his phone. I tried to date a guy I met while working out and he got upset when I knew about Mozart but not the latest basketball scores.

You’re not into basketball. You like football and baseball, Ty said. That’s his fault for not knowing what you like.

Ah, but that’s the thing. He didn’t take the time to get to know me. All he saw was I had muscles and could get him a cut rate to work out here. He shook his head. He knew going in that Chad would be a dead-end, but he’d still tried…and failed.

Chad was a dick.

He wouldn’t argue that one. Good thing he’s history.

I still think there’s someone out there for you, Ty said. Why not ask James at Dye Hard? He’s already cutting your hair and he’s got quite the track record for pairing guys. You could get lucky.

I could. He’d considered asking James, but hesitated. What if James laughed or said no? What if he wasn’t interested in helping? Vince couldn’t handle the rejection.

You should ask him. Ty closed the date book on the computer. Go. You’ll be late and James gets snippy when his clients are late.

I know. He tucked his phone in his pocket, then his keys from the drawer. Since he’d be coming back, he saw no reason to take his gym bag. I’ll be back by five.

Take your time. I’m on the clock until six. Ty waved. Go.

Thanks. He hurried out of the gym, then down the two blocks to Dye Hard Style. Ty was right—he didn’t need the haircut, but he wanted to talk to someone who wasn’t connected to his work. He also rather liked the way he looked after a fresh cut. Besides, he enjoyed his conversations with James.

He hustled through the glass doors of Dye Hard Style and marveled at the new movie posters in the lit frames. He appreciated how James had left the theater looking mostly the way it had during its heyday—except now housing a hair salon. The popcorn counter featured rows of hair products and the main lobby had been turned into the guts of the salon. The bright lights added a certain feel to the room that other salons lacked.

A young man with dyed gray hair stood at the turnstile. You’re on time.

He should know this man’s name, but James ran through receptionists so fast it was hard to keep up. I am. This one knew who he was, so he should know this guy’s name. Jack?

Kyson, he snapped. I’m working on breaking a record.

Oh? Cody made his way through the turnstile. What’s that?

Working here for more than a week. James is a taskmaster. Kyson crinkled his nose. At least he keeps my color in check. He’s waiting on you. Don’t trip on the dog.

I’ll be careful. He stopped to pet James’ dog on the head. Hi, Doob.

James rounded the corner to greet him. Hi. He picked up a cape and shook it out. He likes you. Come on over.

The black dog swished his tail and allowed Cody to pet him a few more moments, then joined James by the chair. Doob had become a fixture at the salon and a mascot of sorts.

He likes you, too. Cody rested on the chair and folded his hands on his lap. I like how you’ve trimmed him.

Oh that. James draped the covering over him. Honestly, it was to get the knots out of his fur, but it has made him extra handsome. He’s a well-behaved dog. I don’t know why no one wants to come for him.

Maybe they moved and couldn’t take him. He blinked as James sprayed water on his hair. Or he ran away and they gave up looking for him.

See, I don’t know how anyone would do that. He’s a good dog. James combed Cody’s hair. And another thing, why would you leave your dog behind? I get that maybe you can’t take him with you, but find him a home or take him to the shelter. Don’t just leave him.

Not everyone thinks the way you and I do. Cody averted his gaze. He didn’t mind looking at his reflection, but not right now.

So…we’re doing another buzz or are you willing to let me do something a little different? James asked. I’ve got some ideas and I know you’ll like them if you’re willing to change just a little.

He wanted to protest and demand his usual cut, but what the hell? Why not try something new? Go for it.

You’re serious? James beamed. Cody?

Why not? I’m tired of looking the same and if you’ve got an idea what to do, then do it. I mean, Jesus. I’m over forty, I’m single and I want people to take me seriously, Cody said. While you’re at it, will you help me? His hands shook. Thank God the cape covered them. He hated being nervous, but this was a huge ask.

What do you want me to do? James narrowed his eyes, then