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: May 5, 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

Figuring It Out

By Shawn Lane

Published by JMS Books LLC

Visit jms-books.com for more information.

Copyright 2023 Shawn Lane

ISBN 9781685504465

* * * *

Cover Design: Written Ink Designs | written-ink.com

Image(s) used under a Standard Royalty-Free License.

All rights reserved.

WARNING: This book is not transferable. It is for your own personal use. If it is sold, shared, or given away, it is an infringement of the copyright of this work and violators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

No portion of this book may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher, with the exception of brief excerpts used for the purposes of review.

This book is for ADULT AUDIENCES ONLY. It may contain sexually explicit scenes and graphic language which might be considered offensive by some readers. Please store your files where they cannot be accessed by minors.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are solely the product of the author’s imagination and/or are used fictitiously, though reference may be made to actual historical events or existing locations. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Published in the United States of America.

* * * *

Figuring It Out

By Shawn Lane

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