“The three R’s of education were Reading, ‘Riting, and ‘Rithmetic. Overrated. I saved my energy for the three B’s: Bikes, Booze, and Boys.”
-Max Keller, What Love Means
Tag: lgbt
Mood board
A mood board for the characters Max and Cal from What Love Means.
“It didn’t matter if it all went wrong later. I wanted this, to have him like this, even if it was only for a moment. It felt like I could do anything, face anything. I was stronger because whatever happened, at least I had this once.”
The book is currently FREE on Amazon.
April Mood Board
April Keller is a supporting character in What Love Means and is Max’s little sister. She’s fun and lively, so she got a mood board too.
April Keller
“Have we not already established that I’m better than you in every way?”
The book is currently free on Amazon!
FREE BOOK
My novel What Love Means is available for free this week on Amazon.
Cal might not have a job, but he’s always busy. Getting into a good college takes work and it’s worth it even if he doesn’t have any time for himself. He doesn’t need a rugged dark-haired boy distracting him.
When Max and Cal’s siblings start competing in spelling bees, these opposites are thrown together. They have nothing in common. Except for their attraction to each other. As they grow closer while coaching their siblings, their attraction might lead to something more. But can their high school relationship survive real world challenges?
Spelling words and learning their dictionary definitions is easy. Real life is different.
Max and Cal know how to spell love, but they’re about to find out what it means.
—
The free promotion lasts from Sunday to Thursday and the book currently is at number 1 in several of its categories. Thanks to everyone who’s gotten a copy so far!
Deleted Scene: Summer Romance
This contains spoilers for Summer Romance. The scene is between a couple, one person wants to come out and the other one doesn’t.
—
This was kinda weird. I was in a hospital room having a relationship discussion. Sort of. Carter’s dad had his procedure and Carter got his dad settled into his room or whatever while I went and got some lunch from the cafeteria for us and I hung around, letting him do whatever he needed to do and then his dad was asleep and we were on the floor of his hospital room, not talking much, but whispering when we did so that we didn’t disturb his dad.
His phone was obviously on silent, but it sat next to us on the floor. He’d answered it for a while, responding to people’s text but had given up for now. It keep flashing and lighting up, floods of messages pouring in.
“Everyone always loves you,” I whispered.
“You say that like it’s a bad thing.”
“Maybe it is.”
“What so I should have no friends like you?” He winced immediately after he said it. He opened his mouth to apologize but I grabbed his hand and squeezed it. I looked at him, trying to gauge if that was okay. He glanced at his dad but then just sighed and squeezed my hand back.
It was hard to hold a few harsh words against a guy when you were keeping him company in his dad’s hospital room.
“I don’t see why I should want people to dislike me just because it builds character or something,” Carter said.
“The thing is, there’s always going to be something about you people might not like. You can hide negative stuff by being popular and friendly but it’s still there and maybe those people aren’t worth being friends with if they only want you to be perfect.”
The Magicians Best Tricks
“Is the trick being lamer than humanly possible?” asked my little brother while we watched a magician pull a never-ending scarf from his wrist. My brother Eli was only 10 but even he had seen that one before.
“Stop it,” I muttered.
“I’m just saying, if that’s what he’s trying to pull off, I’m impressed.” Some of his friends laughed at him and the magician took a little bow. I found him online. He went to a different high school and was an amateur; everyone had to start somewhere.
He pulled a quarter from behind someone in the front row’s ear. I hid a laugh when the magician frowned after the kid took the quarter and wouldn’t give it back.
“You wanted a magician for your birthday,” I reminded him. I wasn’t sure why I’d been the one tasked with handling his party. Mom said something about being a good big brother. Dad said something about proving I was responsible if I wanted a car. I think they just didn’t want to do it themselves. Eli was a tough critic.
“I wanted the guy I saw on TV,” he complained.
“Sorry we couldn’t book Criss Angel,” I muttered sarcastically. My parents hadn’t given me much of party budget. My present to my little brother was trying to pretend like this was quality entertainment.
“Or someone like him.” He looked at the spectacle in front of him with open disgust. “Not this.”
It wasn’t the magician’s fault he was an only child. Or at least his siblings weren’t the right age otherwise he would know that this 10-year-old crowd was too old for the bendy magic wand gimmick. Still, the magician had a smile that never wavered when met with this tough crowd. He also had curly dark hair, rich brown skin, and vibrant eyes. I don’t know. I kind of like him.
Wow. Did he have an actual rabbit for a pet or did he buy a rabbit for his act? Okay, he was a little cliché. That wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. If he was cliché, maybe he’d get me flowers and candies.
The rabbit was smart. The girls at least perked up when the adorable white bunny appeared from the top hat. Eli wasn’t swayed. “It would be better if he pulled that rabbit out of his-“
“Hey now,” I interrupted.
“I need a volunteer for this next trick,” the magician said. “How about the birthday boy?”
“My brother volunteers as tribute,” Eli said quickly.
The magician looked at me and butterflies appeared in my stomach. See, he was good.
I moved to the front and was instructed to pick a card. “Tough crowd,” the guy whispered to me.
“You’re doing great,” I encouraged.
He smiled shyly. “Maybe you could help me practice later.”
Our hands brushed as he took my card and inserted it back into the deck. Electricity. The trick hasn’t stared yet, but I’m already astonished.
Get to Know Max
I found some questions online about relationships. These are answered in the point of view of Max from my story What Love Means.
Have you ever been in love?
Ew. Why bother?
Have you ever had your heart broken?
I’m more of a heart breaker than the heart broken.
What does a successful relationship look like to you?
Finding a private spot to hook up, hooking up, and then both people go their separate ways.
What happened in your last relationship?
I’d have to have had a relationship to have a last relationship.
Are you friends with your former boyfriends or girlfriends?
I’d sound like a dick if I wondered what the point of that was, wouldn’t I? Well, it’s a good thing I don’t have any former boyfriends or girlfriends to be friends with.
What was your parents’ relationship like?
Oh fuck no.
If you could go on a date with a celebrity, who would it be and why?
Uh, Ryan Reynolds is pretty hot. Maybe Chris Pine… but my honest answer is absolutely Neil deGrasse Tyson. He’s humorous, intelligent, and he removed a planet from the solar system; that’s pretty badass.
No News is Good News
“Oh, it’s my boyfriend,” I announced in a loud, wooden voice. Damn, I guess I didn’t have an acting career in my future. “Hello, boyfriend, I’m going to hold your hand.” My voice was still loud enough for everyone in our school’s courtyard to overhear, but no one even turned and looked our way.
“I’m just a title now, I don’t have a name?” He gave me a quick kiss on the lips in greeting. No one reacted.
I laughed like he said the most hilarious thing. “Oh stop! Let’s just make out right here.”
He held up a hand when I tried to bring my face closer to his. “You’re being ridiculous.” His tone was serious but he had a tiny smile on his face. I recognized it as the look he gave me when I was being amusing but he didn’t want to encourage me.
“No, I’m not. It’s just, WE’RE TWO GUYS, who are about to MAKE OUT in this crowded courtyard. I HOPE NO ONE FEELS UNCOMFORTABLE.”
A guy I’d never seen before walked near us at that moment. I probably didn’t know him because he wore a football jersey and I had filed a restraining order against sports. Sports wasn’t allowed to be within 30 feet of me at all times. Maybe I’d judged sports too harshly, though. because here came this football player who would get all up in our business. Excellent. I mean, terrible.
“Love is love, guys,” he said with a smile and a wave.
I wasn’t pouting. I stood there with crossed arms while my boyfriend grinned at me, definitely not pouting.
“This is a good thing.”
“I know that,” I muttered.
When I came out a month ago, the news was met with overwhelming enthusiasm. There was a slew of supportive Facebook comments, people congratulated in the halls, I was embraced with open arms. There weren’t even well meaning but kinda rude comments of “I know” or “Duh.”
“We’re lucky enough to live in a place where—” my boyfriend started saying.
“Yeah, I really am glad.” It was true. There were people that didn’t have it as easy. I got to kiss my boyfriend in broad daylight and just be treated as normal because I was normal; this was my normal.
Still. “I just thought there might be a little excitement.”
He rolled his eyes fondly. “We’re here, we’re queer, they’re used to it.”
I wasn’t trying to be ungrateful. I guess I just didn’t believe it could be this easy. I’d heard stories, watched movies, and had seen the perils of coming out even if I didn’t experience them. I’d spent a while gaining the courage and strength to be ready to come out. I knew life wouldn’t always be fair. I guess I just wanted to go through the hard part. Get it over with.
“I didn’t want any violence or harassment or anything, but not even one dirty look, really?” It was just another day. Nothing notable happening.
“I could give you a dirty look,” he offered with a suggestive wink.
It was a beautiful day and I was standing in the sunlight with a lovely boy. Maybe there was no point looking for a downside or worrying something might go wrong. Maybe I should just enjoy this.
Daily Prompt: Defending the Scoundrel
The soiree took place in a lavish mansion. Everything was polished and over the top, the people so put together and pretty and fake. Cal had been expected to make an appearance. It had been the worst part of his day, but it came with a bright side: maybe his parents would never ask him to make an appearance at a society function again since they got into a hushed argument in the coat closet.
It had felt so significant at the time when he emerged from the closet. It had been symbolic to tell his family that he wouldn’t attend another event if his boyfriend couldn’t be there too while literally emerging from a closet.
As he relayed the story to Max now, it just sounded silly.
“Come on, tell me again,” his boyfriend encouraged. Cal groaned and buried his head in Max’s shoulder. They were in Max’s family’s tiny apartment, but Cal felt like he had more space and room to breathe here than he did at the party or among his parents with all their expectations and obligations. Metaphorically, if not physically. Plus, in a physical sense, why did he need space? There was no need to stretch out when he preferred to spend his time as close to Max as possible.
Even if he was being annoying. “You’ve already heard it,” Cal grumbled into the fabric of his dark shirt. He’d been working earlier, Cal could detect motor oil and a hint of sweat, but Max smelled good, like home. He certainly looked comfortable lounging on the couch while Cal felt overly formal in his nice shirt and crisp pants, tie fastened tightly around his neck.
“Well, I wanna hear it again.” Max ran a hand down Cal’s back.
Cal moved his head to stare at Max dubiously. It wasn’t pouting, hopefully, as he said, “You’re making fun of me.
“No, I wanna know all about how my big and tough boyfriend defended my honor.” His voice was warm and affectionate. It was hard to argue with that voice.
Still. Cal was big and tough. Max needed to know. Yes, his dark-haired boyfriend was stronger and more muscled, but Cal had assets too. “I am tough. I know karate.”
Max laughed. “No, you don’t.”
“Well, I took a class in second grade. I’m a yellow belt. Does that count for anything?”
“Probably not.”
Cal glared at Max for a moment before pecking him on the lips and shrugging off the previous events of the evening. “I don’t want to think about that unpleasantness anyway.”
“It’s not unpleasant. It’s sweet. You sticking up for me.”
Cal studied him, but Max seemed to be serious, his tone sounding gentle while his fingers traced idle patterns on Cal’s chest.
Max was poor. Cal was rich. Cal didn’t care, but his parents did. A lot. They also didn’t understand bisexuality. It didn’t matter if they didn’t get it. Cal got it and he couldn’t just let them say whatever they wanted about the person he… cared about very much.
“You’re my boyfriend. I couldn’t just let them say whatever they wanted.”
“You could have actually, but you didn’t. Its sweet.” Max kissed him softly for a few moments and Cal didn’t protest or make sure the brunette understood that he was worth standing up for. There would be time for that later. Cal didn’t plan on going anywhere anytime soon.
They lounged together on the couch. Cal wanted to put the matter behind them, but. “You know the weird part? I almost wanted to give them pointers.”
“On how to insult me better? Okay, now I hate you.” He playfully shoved Cal away, but the blonde held on tight.
“No, just, Max, this is the 21rst century. My parents are from this time period. I don’t get why their insults are so dated. They called you a cad, a rouge.”
“A rouge? I kind of like the sound of that.”
“A cur. A scoundrel.”
“Now, that one hurts,” Max joked. “I’m not a scoundrel.”
“Actually, I think that one fits rather well.” Cal laughed at Max’s offended look then grinned. “But you’re my scoundrel.”
—
I used characters from an existing story to write this prompt. These characters are from What Love Means.
What Love Means Excerpt
Here’s an excerpt of What Love Means. Both of the main characters have a sibling who competes in spelling bees, and this takes place at a spelling club meeting.
Cal
This was the perfect chance to spend quality time with my brother while getting my mind off the breakup. And the guy from the party. I had to get him out of my mind. I thought about him more than I wanted to admit.
Did it seem so intense because of the alcohol? Needing someone so badly and feeling such pleasure at his skin on mine couldn’t possibly be real. I didn’t even know his name! Still, it had been heady. Maybe because it was new? Feeling coarse skin scrape against my jaw. Meeting muscles instead of soft flesh. How he backed me up against a wall with easy strength. His demanding mouth and hands…
Freaking hell. I was thinking about it again!
Gay Paranormal Romance 