Title: Out on the Serve
Series: Out in College, Book 7
Author: Lane Hayes
Publisher: Lane Hayes
Release Date: July 10
Heat Level: 4 - Lots of Sex
Pairing: Male/Male
Length: 55K
Genre: Romance, New Adult, Bisexual, Friends to Lovers, College romance,
Athletes, Volleyball, Humor
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Roommates to friends to lovers…
Elliot-
I need a roommate fast. Even a temporary one. Beggars can’t be
choosers. Going pro after graduation has been intense, and time is precious.
Thankfully, Braden seems cool. He’s a little quirky…and very sexy. Of course, I
would never get involved with a roommate. That’s a bad idea. Isn’t it?
Braden-
Moving to Long Beach seems like a no brainer. It’ll be a perfect
chance to wind down before grad school and a nice respite from my folks. Plus,
my new roommate is a great guy. A little messy, but sweet. Gotta admit, I like
him more than I should. And we’re off to a strange start when a mutual friend
hooks me up with his ex. Elliot’s the one I want, but going from friends to
lovers is a risk. We could end up out on the serve…or we could win it all.
My Rating - 4.5 Stars!
This time we have volleyball players Elliott and Braden, who are new roommates. Their connection is intense, leading to some hot hook ups. But, they've agreed to just that, hook ups with no commitment. That always works out well, right?
The differences in the two men set up for some good entertainment. One wants order and everything in it's place. The other is a go with the flow kind of guy. It makes for some fun scenes.
Braden's a young man who's always strived to please, always trying to be perfect. My heart hurts for his need to please. His life is full of family issues and family pressure, creating a truly sympathetic character.
This is a story with great character growth, as one finds their purpose. It's a story of knowing people come and go from our lives, serving a valuable purpose at the time. I truly love that aspect of the storyline.
Their story includes some exes and meddling friends. This just ups the emotional factor.
The writing style is classic Lane Hayes. Everything flows well, there's good dialogue, and she takes her men on a wonderful journey. She adds plenty of humor into this steamy read. Overall, she has yet to disappoint me.
Out on the Serve is a delight tale of grabbing onto love. Lane Hayes has created another riveting romance, this time focusing on learning to admit what one wants and needs, instead of what they are told they need. It's awesome.
Ten minutes later, I tied a towel around my waist and opened the bathroom door to release some steam just as Braden opened his bedroom door.
It might have been my imagination or wishful thinking, but I could have sworn he eye-fucked me before he met my gaze.
“Mornin’,” I said in a raspy voice.
“Good morning.”
“How’d you sleep?”
“Pretty good. Are you going to the beach today?” he asked awkwardly.
“Yeah. I’m leaving soon.”
“Hmm. I heard the swell is huge,” he said in a fast, clipped tone.
I crossed my arms and leaned against the doorjamb. “Yeah, I heard that too. There’s some big storm off the coast of Mexico.”
“Right.”
“Want to come with me?”
“To Mexico?”
I barked a laugh. “No, dork. To the beach.”
Braden chuckled. “Believe it or not, I’m going to the theater. Sophie talked me into trying out the assistant gig. Hopefully, it’ll keep me out of trouble.”
And there was the opening I needed. I wasn’t sure how to word it, though. The hint of unease between us told me that I should proceed with caution. We had to be on the same page and willing to try something new and—fuck. My window of opportunity was closing. Braden’s cheeks reddened as he mumbled a good-bye.
I grabbed his wrist before he closed his door, ignoring the spark and sizzle that zipped along my spine. “Hang on…thank you.”
“For what?”
“The cereal.”
“Oh.” He let out a half laugh and yes…his face went a shade pinker. Fuck, that was both cute and hot at the same time. “It was silly.”
“I love silly. I’m a huge fan of all things ridiculous. Ask anyone.”
“I believe you.”
“Good. So…let’s agree that this doesn’t have to be weird. We’re grown adults. Well, you are anyway. We can call it a celebratory kiss if you want and move on. What d’ya say?”
“Yes, okay. I’m—I’m sorry about”—he circled his wrist meaningfully—“everything. I overreacted.”
“You mean the part when you yelled at me for getting sand on the floor? I forgive you.”
“No, I was serious about that part.”
“I know. But don’t worry about the other thing. Boners happen.”
Braden sputtered. “I did not have a boner.”
“Liar. We both did. Might have been your mom’s fudge,” I teased.
“You think my mother’s homemade fudge gave you a hard-on,” he repeated incredulously.
“Dude, chocolate totally gives me wood. Or maybe she added a chemical substance that made us too relaxed.”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know…weed?”
Braden snickered. “Unlikely. My mom is very proper. I don’t think she even knows what weed looks like.”
“Hmm. You seem kind of proper too. Do you take after her?”
“Maybe, but I know what weed looks like,” he assured me. “My roommate in the dorms my freshman year was very fond of the stuff. We didn’t get along at all. He was a total—”
“Slob?” I supplied, quirking my brows.
“Yeah.” He shrugged carelessly. “I was probably overbearing, but in my defense, I come from a super rigid household. I’m an only child, and I was sick a lot when I was little. I had colic and sensitivity issues. I’d break out in rashes if I was in the sun for five minutes or if I ate citrus. My asthma was off the charts. I had a nebulizer at home, and I carried inhalers everywhere I went.”
“That’s a lot of information,” I said with a laugh.
He winced, then sucked in a deep breath. “Sorry. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. My geek is showing.”
“Ha. Nothing wrong with that. You like me, eh?”
Braden chuckled. Like I’d hoped he would. “What makes you think that?”
“You kissed me. Twice. We might as well get married and pick out His and His towels. Thoughts?”
“Great idea. Just don’t tell my mom. She’d have a heart attack. She was already worried I’d moved in with you because you were my…”
“Boyfriend,” I supplied.
“Yeah, except she has a hard time saying that word, so it comes out in a strained whisper like…boyfriend.” Braden modulated his voice to sound like a scared woman. He grinned when I busted up laughing, and I could have sworn a ray of sunshine burst through the wall of our apartment.
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