Making It Even

by Dallas Coleman

Joe knows he's screwed up, but he's not willing to let his long-time love get away with the cold shoulder. He's already made things even, but now he wants to make things right, and he's willing to admit his own mistakes and forget Ben's, if Ben will just let him. Ben's no angel, but it's hard to let things go. Can Joe convince Ben it's time to move on and get back to the business of loving each other?

20 pages, ebook

First published August 1, 2010

Reviews

[Serena Yates · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short, fun scene of "make-up sex" with just enough story to help readers understand what's going on with the characters. Joe and Ben have been fighting over an infidelity. A few weeks later they still haven't worked everything out - yet - but they're ready to admit that they still love each other.

[D.H. Starr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Making it Even is about two lovers, Ben and Joe, who are struggling to come to terms with an infidelity that occurred. Written in two POVs, Dallas Coleman has created a rich story which examines the internal thoughts and emotions of two men as they deal with hurt and betrayal.

There are several things which I adored about this short story. First and foremost is how exquisitely written it was. The use of language, turn of phrases, and actions painted deeply real characters who possessed extraordinary human emotion. Their personalities as individuals and as a couple flew off the page and I found myself completely drawn in from the very first line, “”So how long are you going to wait to fuck me?” If that isn’t a hook, I don’t know what is.

On top of the compelling writing, Coleman has provided a story which carries the reader on a journey, placing us right in the middle of a moment in time in a relationship that is essentially strong, but going through a rough patch. The story doesn’t try to accomplish more than in can in the 20 pages of writing. Instead, it does what it intends extremely well.

As I read, I found myself mesmerized, wanting to find more writing by this talented author who has an uncanny ability to create on the page worlds and characters who I want to get to know better.

I could go on, but rather than spoil the story, I will leave you with a bit of advice. Purchase this story and you will not be disappointed.

[Tam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ben and Joe run a B&B and own a restaurant somewhere in the Katrina zone. Joe in a stupid moment let some kid at the restaurant give him a bj, before he could confess the kid squealed to Ben. They have been in couples therapy for a bit and Joe has been doing penance by putting in new carpet, fixing up the yard, working hard. Finally he confronts Ben and asks when they are going to have sex. I find the two other stories I’ve read by this author are very unusual. This wasn’t quite so out there, but there were little things thrown at you, like it seems Ben had been sleeping with the kid for weeks, so I was kind of like, who are you to punish your man then? There were other little statements thrown in that you didn’t really know where it came from and were like “Wha? What did you just say? Wait a minute.” But the story doesn’t wait a minute. So I found it a bit like being on the outside and wanting to stop them and ask questions but you can’t. An interesting feeling, a bit off-kilter.