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Escape Date
A Halloween Short Story
Trick or Date!
As far as first dates go, spending Halloween evening in an escape room is not Alistair’s idea of romance, but Lee is cute and it beats staying at home pining over a love that never was.
Besides, there’s nothing to be scared of. Is there?
Escape Date is a funny, gay short story full of surprises. Who said Halloween couldn’t be romantic?
Trick or Date!
As far as first dates go, spending Halloween evening in an escape room is not Alistair’s idea of romance, but Lee is cute and it beats staying at home pining over a love that never was.
Besides, there’s nothing to be scared of. Is there?
Escape Date is a funny, gay short story full of surprises. Who said Halloween couldn’t be romantic?
22 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2020
1 person is currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
Tom Caval
14 books17 followersLondon. Friday afternoon with my best friend, Lisa, a sexy Italian girl as single as fuck. And so was I.
We were talking about our love lives over a bottle of rosé prosecco. When the moment arrived to recap the experiences we had, I was alarmed myself at the figure of that formed in my head… I won’t reveal the number, but it’s … a lot.
Well, I’m in my mid-thirties, and I have been going out on dates since the early 20s, with a couple of relationships in the middle, it’s just basic math. “You should be an expert in dating, right’?” I almost choked.
“Are you serious? With every date, I know less about men”. I sip my drink, smiling: “But I am still a hopeless romantic and a believer in love, I just haven’t found it yet.”
“At least you are not bitter bitched,” she said.
“I agree: that’s a win. I still LOVE my HEA endings,” I replied.
“So, what’s the tea?” Lisa asked. (Yes, we are huge RPDR fans).
The truth is: I’m far from being an expert about men, but I am happy to say that I have become an expert on myself. After all the hopes, frustrations, futile love affairs, moments of happiness, deceptions… I know who I am, what I want and the most importantly of all: what I need to do to feel GOOD about myself.
“Cheers, girl.” My friend toasted her glass against mine. “You must have a good collection of anecdotes about your dates though. I’m sure you have a bit to say, some good stories to tell. Are men in London, Berlin and Barcelona different? ”. These are the cities I have lived.
“Hmm… I guess so”. I smiled. Then quickly added, “I hope you enjoy my stories as I do write them.” And she responded with a gentle but very reassuring node.
For a moment, I drifted in my thoughts; recanting the different experiences I had had with the men that I dated.
And that’s how Tom Caval the author was born…
I am passionate about the love stories, chick lit, characters that find themselves and the happy endings. So, I decided to inspire readers through my experiences (and those of my friends) to create stories that I want to read (but don’t find in the Gay book stores).
Imagine the blend of Sophie Kinsella, Candance Bushnell, Truman Capote and Brett Easton Ellis in a cocktail shaker (literally), and you have the urban contemporary Gay Romantic Comedy starred by men who love men.
Back to my gist with Lisa…
Lisa motioned her hand across my face to get my attention – only then did I realize how deeply I had traveled in my thoughts.
Then she asked, “Everything okay? …we should be getting you ready. I have the sense that your date today will be a success. He might even be the one!” I chuckled and made a get-away joke which I do not remember to this day. And she was kind to let it pass.
Out of excitement for me, Lisa spilled a little bit of prosecco on her jeans, as she pours another glass. Then teases, “I want all the juicy details as late as tomorrow.”
“Don’t worry; I will tell you everything…” I replied. The rest is history, today.
I embarked on my journey of writing Gay short stories and LGBT Humorous Fiction, since then. With my new gay romantic comedy novel currently in the works! PLEASE, KEEP YOUR FINGERS CROSSED
We were talking about our love lives over a bottle of rosé prosecco. When the moment arrived to recap the experiences we had, I was alarmed myself at the figure of that formed in my head… I won’t reveal the number, but it’s … a lot.
Well, I’m in my mid-thirties, and I have been going out on dates since the early 20s, with a couple of relationships in the middle, it’s just basic math. “You should be an expert in dating, right’?” I almost choked.
“Are you serious? With every date, I know less about men”. I sip my drink, smiling: “But I am still a hopeless romantic and a believer in love, I just haven’t found it yet.”
“At least you are not bitter bitched,” she said.
“I agree: that’s a win. I still LOVE my HEA endings,” I replied.
“So, what’s the tea?” Lisa asked. (Yes, we are huge RPDR fans).
The truth is: I’m far from being an expert about men, but I am happy to say that I have become an expert on myself. After all the hopes, frustrations, futile love affairs, moments of happiness, deceptions… I know who I am, what I want and the most importantly of all: what I need to do to feel GOOD about myself.
“Cheers, girl.” My friend toasted her glass against mine. “You must have a good collection of anecdotes about your dates though. I’m sure you have a bit to say, some good stories to tell. Are men in London, Berlin and Barcelona different? ”. These are the cities I have lived.
“Hmm… I guess so”. I smiled. Then quickly added, “I hope you enjoy my stories as I do write them.” And she responded with a gentle but very reassuring node.
For a moment, I drifted in my thoughts; recanting the different experiences I had had with the men that I dated.
And that’s how Tom Caval the author was born…
I am passionate about the love stories, chick lit, characters that find themselves and the happy endings. So, I decided to inspire readers through my experiences (and those of my friends) to create stories that I want to read (but don’t find in the Gay book stores).
Imagine the blend of Sophie Kinsella, Candance Bushnell, Truman Capote and Brett Easton Ellis in a cocktail shaker (literally), and you have the urban contemporary Gay Romantic Comedy starred by men who love men.
Back to my gist with Lisa…
Lisa motioned her hand across my face to get my attention – only then did I realize how deeply I had traveled in my thoughts.
Then she asked, “Everything okay? …we should be getting you ready. I have the sense that your date today will be a success. He might even be the one!” I chuckled and made a get-away joke which I do not remember to this day. And she was kind to let it pass.
Out of excitement for me, Lisa spilled a little bit of prosecco on her jeans, as she pours another glass. Then teases, “I want all the juicy details as late as tomorrow.”
“Don’t worry; I will tell you everything…” I replied. The rest is history, today.
I embarked on my journey of writing Gay short stories and LGBT Humorous Fiction, since then. With my new gay romantic comedy novel currently in the works! PLEASE, KEEP YOUR FINGERS CROSSED
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 13, 2023
2.5⭐️
A short gay Halloween story. ☺️
I was really looking forward to this short story as the premise sounded brilliant, it is only 22 pages in length, and it’s Friday the 13th. I mean, why wouldn’t I like a book about a gay first date at Halloween in an escape room?
I was, however, quite disappointed with this story. It was a little cute, but nothing actually really happened.
Alistair and Lee were cute together and I could really tell that Lee was trying his hardest to impress Alistair. Although, there were a few red flags that I wouldn’t have dismissed so quickly. 😅
There was a slight twist in this story, but it was more comical than anything else. I could envisage this story being adapted into a novel as the characters would work perfectly.
I’m not entirely sure what made this Halloween themed, as you can visit a creepy escape room at any time.
Overall, I don’t think much happened, but it was a nice little read with likeable characters.
⚠️ Please check out the trigger warnings! ⚠️
A short gay Halloween story. ☺️
I was really looking forward to this short story as the premise sounded brilliant, it is only 22 pages in length, and it’s Friday the 13th. I mean, why wouldn’t I like a book about a gay first date at Halloween in an escape room?
I was, however, quite disappointed with this story. It was a little cute, but nothing actually really happened.
Alistair and Lee were cute together and I could really tell that Lee was trying his hardest to impress Alistair. Although, there were a few red flags that I wouldn’t have dismissed so quickly. 😅
There was a slight twist in this story, but it was more comical than anything else. I could envisage this story being adapted into a novel as the characters would work perfectly.
I’m not entirely sure what made this Halloween themed, as you can visit a creepy escape room at any time.
Overall, I don’t think much happened, but it was a nice little read with likeable characters.
⚠️ Please check out the trigger warnings! ⚠️
November 1, 2020
I had no clue where this story was taking me and don’t you just love when that happens? Tom Caval writes a cute and suspenseful Halloween short story with Escape Date. I have to confess that Caval has ensured that I will never go on one of these events or dates (laugh). Just saying that I will not be Bertie.
I can’t say much because after all this is a short story. Caval writes a quick and fun read for the holiday. Take a moment while you are waiting in line to vote and go on Lee and Alistair’s first date...and last?
I can’t say much because after all this is a short story. Caval writes a quick and fun read for the holiday. Take a moment while you are waiting in line to vote and go on Lee and Alistair’s first date...and last?
March 3, 2023
Very clever
October 28, 2024
story of Alister and Leo
Sweet short story. Cute MCs and nosey friends.
Was a great lead up and couple be a bigger book. Would recommend
Sweet short story. Cute MCs and nosey friends.
Was a great lead up and couple be a bigger book. Would recommend
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews