Figuring It Out

By Shawn Lane

Gay, dramatic, and flamboyant, Avery Jennings first fell in love with Joe Gunderson back in their sophomore year of high school when Joe asked Avery to tutor him for an English Lit class. Avery didn’t think he stood a chance with straight Joe and therefore hid his attraction to the handsome football player. When the tutoring ended, so did Avery’s time with Joe.

Years passed and when it’s time for college, Avery takes a job at the diner of a family friend and he’s shocked when his boss hires a new server ... Joe. Joe’s out and proud now but comes with a boyfriend, once more crushing Avery’s dreams.

Sometimes life brings someone back to you for a reason. Can Avery figure out what’s between him and Joe before it’s too late?

• Language: English
• Publisher: JMS Books LLC
• Release date: Apr 22, 2023
• ISBN: 9781685504465

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

Chapter 1

I’ll never forget the first time I saw Joe back in high school in our sophomore year. You know how they say it’s like being hit by a thunderbolt? It was like that.

Gunderson. Joseph Gunderson.

Here.

I peered around curiously at the deep voice. Soon realized it came from the big guy sitting in the second row of Mrs. Kelly’s English Lit class. Dude was like eight feet tall. Okay, maybe a bit of an exaggeration, but over six feet for sure and built like a linebacker or something. I didn’t know a thing about football, but it seemed to me he must be built like one.

He kept his sandy colored hair short, almost buzzed. He wore one of those jackets sports dudes wear. Letterman jackets? It was the school jacket, the Devils.

Jennings. Avery Jennings.

I rested my chin in my hand and stared at him. He was just the type of guy I found attractive, but of course also the type of guy who was inevitably straight and wanted to punch me in the face.

Jennings. Avery Jennings, Mrs. Kelly said louder.

The girl behind me poked me in the shoulder blade.

Oh, I said. Here.

I heard more than a few chuckles at my expense and Joe turned around to stare at me. My face flamed hotter than the worse sunburn I’d ever had. He narrowed his eyes at me, not exactly a friendly gesture, then turned back around toward the front of the class. So, that was my first introduction to Joe.

We didn’t have anything in common. He hung out with his fellow grunting athletes and I hung out with the drama crowd. The jocks never quite knew what to make of the drama students who practiced performing for hours, belting out show tunes even when outside rehearsals, while the drama crowd thought all the athletes were dumb jocks.

I followed Joe around campus as discreetly as I could, trying not to let him or his friends know of my gigantic crush on him. I didn’t fancy having my face rearranged for me.

One day, however, I was surprised when as I was leaving drama class I spotted Joe leaning against a wall directly next to the path I had to take to leave campus and head home. He was alone, which was at least one good thing for me because I hated the idea he would have his friends gang up on me. I half wanted to run back into the class and ask friends to walk out with me, but part of me was also curious as to why Joe was there. I supposed he might be there for some reason other than me,