Ethan and I sat cross-legged on my bed, playing a video game. I was beating him soundly, so he'd lost interest for the most part. Still, he kept at it even as he said, "I need to get some experience sucking cock before I go off to college." I managed to hide my surprise with a snort. By this point, I was used to my friend blurting out whatever was on his mind, but every once in a while, he threw me off balance. It was har...

I'd been secretly watching our neighbor for the better part of an hour. Staring out the living room window, I got an eyeful of the man as he repaired our brick walkway. My dad was paying him to do the job, and they agreed he would also fix the wooden fence at the back of our property. "Make yourself useful to Hugh if he needs any help," Dad told me before he left for work. My mom was out of town visiting my aunt, so I was...

It was a little after seven on a Thursday evening when Brad appeared in my office doorway. I looked up at him in surprise. "I didn't know anyone else was here." "We're the last two left." Leaning against the doorframe, he folded his arms over his chest and smiled. "You seem stressed, Tim." I took off my reading glasses so I could rub my bleary eyes. "Is that a polite way of telling me I look old and tired?" His smile wide...

It took me a long time to find Chase. My inquiries into hiring a male escort had to be discreet, especially since he wouldn't be escorting me anywhere except the bedroom. More than once, I thought I'd finally found someone suitable, only to be disappointed upon meeting the man. The frustrating process grated at me; I knew it had to be easier for men who were willing to pay for the companionship of a woman. At almost forty...

I arrived at the bar just before nine the following evening. For a long moment, I sat in my car and stared at the rundown building while trying to calm my jittery nerves. This felt weirdly like a date. Once I'd taken several deep breaths, I got out and looked around. The parking lot had more cars than I would have expected on a Tuesday night. Above me, the sky was clear, with plenty of stars visible despite the building's...

The next morning, Holly woke me before my phone's alarm sounded, and when I sat up on the couch, I released a low groan. "Morning, Josh!" she said, appearing completely unfazed by all the chardonnay she'd had the night before. Her eyes were bright as she gave me a sunny smile. I knew she had to be at the library a little later, but I had no idea how she could look so chipper. I was only grateful it was my Saturday off. "M...

I stood in front of Holly's apartment door that Friday evening in early March, a bottle of cheap pinot noir in my hand. Though Holly and I had worked together at the city library for several months, this was the first time she'd invited me over to her place, and as I waited for her to answer my knock, I wondered if I should have splurged on something better to drink despite my tight budget. When the door opened, it wasn't...

My name is Carlos, and I am twenty-six years old. I got my PhD in statistics last year, and am currently working as a data analyst for an NHL team. I know, it's unconventional to have a Chicano working in hockey, especially when I never played the sport (I played baseball in college), but this was a great opportunity in a sport where statistical analysis is just ramping up, so I accepted the job. We aren't as busy in the...