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Chasing the Prick
Official Description: Callan has always hated his teammate and rival Nick because he seemed like an arrogant ass whose only purpose in life was to beat Callan and then rub it in. He calls the guy "Nick the Prick" for a reason.
Then something causes Callan to leave the team before his final meet, and Nick is knocking on his door to find out what happened. Nick is the one willing to stand by him and help him out, forcing him to realize there may be more to the 'Prick' than he's been shown.
For years, Callan used to survive on one night stands. Now, he won't. His life has changed permanently, so can the new Callan find romance and maybe, eventually, a forever?
Original Prompt:
Dear Author,
I have always hated him cause he seemed like an arrogant asshole who's only purpose in life was to beat me and then rub it in. I mean we have been on the same team for years but we are still rivals. But then something terrible happened to me (you can decide what) and I was forced to realize there was more to him than I thought. He was the only one willing to stand by me and help me out. I have been surviving with one night stands for years and I am ready for some sweet romance and maybe a forever. Do I get it with him?
Photo Description: A smooth-bodied swimmer stands in racing gear: blue tight trunks, black cap and goggles. His pale skin is wet and a few glistening drops fall from one hand. Face grimacing in an odd smile, he raises the other arm to point and gesture at something unseen.
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Hot Summer Days" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.
Download the story from the Author's website or Goodreads, read it online or find it in Don't Read in the Closet, Volume 2.
__________
Genre: contemporary
Tags: gay m/m, hurt/comfort, swimmers, rivals to lovers, university, jocks, first love
Word Count: 5,277
Then something causes Callan to leave the team before his final meet, and Nick is knocking on his door to find out what happened. Nick is the one willing to stand by him and help him out, forcing him to realize there may be more to the 'Prick' than he's been shown.
For years, Callan used to survive on one night stands. Now, he won't. His life has changed permanently, so can the new Callan find romance and maybe, eventually, a forever?
Original Prompt:
Dear Author,
I have always hated him cause he seemed like an arrogant asshole who's only purpose in life was to beat me and then rub it in. I mean we have been on the same team for years but we are still rivals. But then something terrible happened to me (you can decide what) and I was forced to realize there was more to him than I thought. He was the only one willing to stand by me and help me out. I have been surviving with one night stands for years and I am ready for some sweet romance and maybe a forever. Do I get it with him?
Photo Description: A smooth-bodied swimmer stands in racing gear: blue tight trunks, black cap and goggles. His pale skin is wet and a few glistening drops fall from one hand. Face grimacing in an odd smile, he raises the other arm to point and gesture at something unseen.
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Hot Summer Days" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.
Download the story from the Author's website or Goodreads, read it online or find it in Don't Read in the Closet, Volume 2.
__________
Genre: contemporary
Tags: gay m/m, hurt/comfort, swimmers, rivals to lovers, university, jocks, first love
Word Count: 5,277
16 pages, ebook
First published July 13, 2011
1 person is currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
Adara O’Hare
8 books56 followersAdara is a geek in writer’s clothing—a mild-mannered website designer by day and a wife, mother, reader, and sometimes writer by night. She enjoys Star Wars, Firefly, manga (includes yaoi), anime (very little yaoi), and a whole lot of other hobbies, mostly encompassed by the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA). She still has her collections of board and card games, stuffed animals, original My Little Ponies, and Star Wars books and action figures, though not really anyplace to put them at the moment. Thank goodness most of her M/M romance collection is eBook, not physical, or there would be no space at all left to walk in the dining room.
(NOTE: If you are sending me a friend request just to try to promote your books to me or invite me to release events, I will unfriend and block you.)
(NOTE: If you are sending me a friend request just to try to promote your books to me or invite me to release events, I will unfriend and block you.)
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
February 20, 2015
** 2 HSV-1 stars **
Come on! You are not going to die from dammit! It's not the end of the world. It's more common to have it than to not have it, okay.
And why did Nick come on to Callan now? I know he said that they were nearly finished with swimming so he was "free" to it hit on Callan after four years. There's some serious commitment there, staying away from the guy you wanted for four year just to not have any distractions from swimming. I'm just wondering if Callan had not been taken off the team would Nick still gone after him?
--------------------------------------------------------------
A short story in the collection "Don't Read in the Closet, Volume Two" from the MM Romance Group Hot Summer Event 2011.
Click HERE for the story online or HERE to download the whole collection for your reading device.
Picture and prompt:
Come on! You are not going to die from dammit! It's not the end of the world. It's more common to have it than to not have it, okay.
And why did Nick come on to Callan now? I know he said that they were nearly finished with swimming so he was "free" to it hit on Callan after four years. There's some serious commitment there, staying away from the guy you wanted for four year just to not have any distractions from swimming. I'm just wondering if Callan had not been taken off the team would Nick still gone after him?
--------------------------------------------------------------
A short story in the collection "Don't Read in the Closet, Volume Two" from the MM Romance Group Hot Summer Event 2011.
Click HERE for the story online or HERE to download the whole collection for your reading device.
Picture and prompt:
December 10, 2011
A good story I liked it. I am not sure on the cold sore thing since I am uneducated about that I just assumed almost everyone had them. I have never had one but never worried about getting them. And I have kissed a lot of people, in one weekend (back when I went out) I could end up kissing probably 15 plus people (I am an equal opportunity kisser, I have probably kissed more girls than guys, yes girls kiss better) Now I am not sure I want to be kissing random strangers after this story.
I am glad the Prick really wasn’t that mean but more just distant and maybe arrogant. But I liked them together and hope Sharpie can get over his cold-sore-spreading-phobias.
I am glad the Prick really wasn’t that mean but more just distant and maybe arrogant. But I liked them together and hope Sharpie can get over his cold-sore-spreading-phobias.
July 30, 2011
Thanks, Adara, for writing a story that explores rather than ignores STDs! Many people think cold sores are a nuisance rather than an STD and they are wrong - oral HSV-1 can easily become genital HSV-1 in someone else. It can destroy a person's sex life as many, like Callan, don't want to risk giving it their partner. That Nick researched HSV-1 for Callan's sake is wonderful and showed that he truly cared about him. A lovely story that also sends a powerful message. Well done!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 17, 2013
What a wonderful story! Centering on two swimmers this handles a topic I have never seen in any other MM (or MF) type book: Herpes. Considering 80% of the population has HSV-1 and 20% has HSV-2 and looking at how many books are written in this genre I diagnose fear to write about this STD. While HSV-1 was always the more "benign" strain of Herpes and far more socially acceptable (Cold Sores), lately (According to MIT) up to 80% of college kids who have a Genital outbreak have a HSV-1 strain. Folks are having more oral sex. Good for pleasure, bad for spread of this particular virus.
The relationship between the two men was hot and sparky and the way Nick stood up for Callan is very Knight in Shining Armour. I loved it!
The relationship between the two men was hot and sparky and the way Nick stood up for Callan is very Knight in Shining Armour. I loved it!
August 21, 2011
This was written in response to my Hot Summer Days letter and lets just say it totally lives up to my expectations. Thanks so much Adara, I loved it. It was great to see how perceptions can change and how they realistically dealt with what, at the time, seemed to be a very scary situation. Also, love me some hot men in speedos!!!!
December 27, 2014
I enjoyed the blend of artful description and fast-paced story action which hooks your interest right away and then holds it. I especially loved the swim team angle as well as the rivals-to-lovers theme of the story. It was fun, light and sexy. My only complaint is that it could have been longer.
July 14, 2011
Nick and Callan are teammates in their school's swimming team. They are ready for the Nationals next week, but Callan has to drop from the team since he has cold sore and the coach concerns it would affect his swimming. The thing is, while they have been teammates for four years, they are basically rivals, although it's more like Callan is envious that he's never beat Nick. Callan is only in relay team, so if he drops the team will suffer. Would Nick be able to convince Callan to re-join the team?
I like this story. It shows the willingness to risk something for the person you love.
I like this story. It shows the willingness to risk something for the person you love.
July 20, 2011
Please, Please, PLEASE!!! Write a second story for these characters! I've fallen in love and I think I might go crazy (okay so I'm already there but that's besides the point) if I don't have more... Besides wanting more, it's a really great story. It has an unusual plot in the fact that one of the characters has herpes but thats what made it so intresting. I love going places I haven't been before and lets face it, not a lot of authors have the balls to write about stds even though sadly their out there. I'd give this a five star just for having the brass to do it but I don't have to because it is well written too. Can't wait to read more.
July 20, 2011
This is beautiful! A very touching love story with so much heart. The topic of Herpes was not only sensitively handled but insightfully as well. Anyone with limited or no knowledge on the subject will most certainly have gained a better understanding of both sides of dealing with it as well as a MAJOR soft spot for "Nick the Prick" who in my mind and heart is now officially been renamed "My hero".
Thank you Adara! :)
August 3, 2011
I love stories that deal with a life challenge and this was a unique twist I haven't run across. It was very realistic and showcased thoughtfulness between the characters. I'll just have to use my vivid imagination to see what their first kiss will be like:) Great job!!!
July 22, 2011
Very well-written story about a difficult topic. The author handled it well and I enjoyed the story.
August 9, 2018
I hate giving one star but in this case I don't know what else to give. The writing is fine but the whole premise of the story is silly. Callan's reason for not wanting to swim and getting so completely freaked out is, in my opinion, ridiculous. Speaking as someone who has what Callan has all her life I know things are nowhere near as dire as the author portrays and that made this story totally unbelievable.
June 24, 2018
When the climax comes and the roomies/rivals get down to it, handcuffs play a sexy role.
January 6, 2016
***Read as part of the free Don't Read in the Closet: Volume Two anthology. Story #23***
2.5 stars
There were 2 things that bothered me about this story.
1. It sounds as if herpes causes death. Sure it's annoying to have it but Callan was acting as if he only has 2 months left to live! Especially since the only body area affected is his mouth.
2. Their "relationship" develpoed too fast for me. I mean, they were rivals for 4 years. And it changes within 1 day to friends and finally lovers.
Yes, this is a shorty and so it has to have a faster pace as a full length novel. But here everything happend at once.
I think I would have liked it more if it would have been a full length novella/novel.
2.5 stars
There were 2 things that bothered me about this story.
1. It sounds as if herpes causes death. Sure it's annoying to have it but Callan was acting as if he only has 2 months left to live! Especially since the only body area affected is his mouth.
2. Their "relationship" develpoed too fast for me. I mean, they were rivals for 4 years. And it changes within 1 day to friends and finally lovers.
Yes, this is a shorty and so it has to have a faster pace as a full length novel. But here everything happend at once.
I think I would have liked it more if it would have been a full length novella/novel.
February 14, 2015
it's was an interesting read about something that is rarely discussed or used in a book. Am glad the nick wasn't so bad more like he kept his distance for the obvious reason...
glad they could work it out ^o^
I would have liked a bit more on the characters back ground and a bit more of them over all like how they meet and such...
it was nice tho
glad they could work it out ^o^
I would have liked a bit more on the characters back ground and a bit more of them over all like how they meet and such...
it was nice tho
July 23, 2014
A free short story. I found it entertaining and bold because it touches on the usually untouchable subject of one of the MC's having herpes (especially in a short story!). Interesting characters and it's nice they band together at the end.
June 29, 2014
I liked this short story because it dealt with a rarely discussed topic in this reading genre, BUT it also read very much like an old somewhat boring afterschool special.
I am entitled to my opinion, please don't hate me.
I am entitled to my opinion, please don't hate me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 27, 2016
Don't Read in the Closet: Volume Two
My Rating System:
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again
My Rating System:
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again
December 26, 2017
2.5 to 2.75 stars
December 14, 2012
Regardless of the serious subject, it was sweet and incredibly romantic. I'd love to read more by this author.
June 8, 2014
Quick good story.
December 26, 2014
3.5 stars; A good rivals-to-lovers story. I liked the way the author dealt with herpes theme. Loved how caring and protective the 'prick' was. Nice read.
December 4, 2016
Enjoyed this short read. I received a bit of education!
January 26, 2014
Cute read about two rivals on the same swim team.
August 9, 2014
Unconvincing. This story could have benefited a lot from additional exposition.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews