Cole Matthews

I got wet cheeks reading this. How moving and poignant. Great job and thank you. Carousel of love! Wow!

Oh yeah Kitt. You'll be getting chapters very soon. It's gonna be a bumpy ride this summer!!!

Prompt #328 – The Spell “You expect me to believe that?” “I don’t care what you believe Thad. I’m telling you, the guy has me under his spell,” my roommate said with a confident grin. “I’ve never felt this way about someone before. Not ever.” Evan was acting very strangely so I wasn’t terribly surprised at his characterization of this mystery guy. While Wiccans and ‘witches’ certainly existed, the whole ‘spell’ thing was really weird. “I’m confused,” I finally manage to squeeze out of my brain. “So you think you’ve been bewitched or something?” Evan sighed. His long face looked determined, ready to tackle whatever. “I don’t know what’s happening. He’s just everything I want in a mate. I’ve never felt like this before.” I didn’t know what to say but this wasn’t the guy who moved in just a few months ago. The Evan who moved in was a slacker pizza delivery driver who played World of Warcraft for days on end, forgot to shower, smoked pounds of weed, and ate whatever was handy. “Are you really going to the gym with some guy?” I asked. “Yeah,” he smiled. “I’m getting in shape. I’m just sick of being a loser. My new man deserves better.” I was shocked as he marched out of the kitchen towards his bedroom. The shower came on a minute later as I sipped my coffee and pondered the situation. “I’m pissed,” I said to no one. I’d gotten a straight, single roommate for a reason. After living with gay guys and even girls, I wanted a low stress living situation. Straight guys were low maintenance, unlike the prima donnas and fag hags who otherwise invaded my life. After Geoff left, it was too stressful to worry about other people’s pain. I was determined to process my own, play some games and forget about how lonely I was. Now I had some gym bunny who would probably start primping and wanting to have long talks about his feelings for Mr. Wonderful. Yuck! That made me start to question this whole deal. I walked over to the bathroom and listened to the water run for a few moments wrestling with my thoughts. There were questions lingering and growing in the back of my mind. Finally, I knocked on the door. “What?” I heard Evan call out from the shower. “What’s this witch’s name?” “Why do you care?” he called back. “I’m just curious. You brought him up,” I yelled back. That’s when I heard the doorbell ring. The annoyance I was feeling about Evan’s sudden change was heightened by the prospect of seeing his new friend. Why did things have to change? I liked my quiet settled life, a life that was punctuated by the occasional tryst but nothing substantial. Evan was the perfect roommate because I never had to think about him. He was a nice fixture. I opened the door with a sigh. His appearance struck me dumb. The guy was gorgeous. He had lush brown hair with a hint of reddish golden highlights. He was in basketball shorts and a tank top which only enhanced the man’s build. He looked up and his smile dazzled me. “Fuck,” I said impulsively. “Hi! I’m Roger,” he said thrusting a big hand towards me. I was awestruck. “Um, Thad, my name is,” I stuttered nervously. Jeez, Evan certainly had fantastic taste. No wonder he was considering a walk on my side of the aisle. Roger was a walking, talking wet dream. “Is Evan ready yet?” he asked. His bright blue eyes eagerly looked into my own. “He’s wet and I’m showering,” I said. What the hell was wrong with me? “I’m sorry, but what?” he chuckled and looked me up and down. “Can I come in?” “I just woke up. Sorry. Please, come in,” I said moving to the side. Drop Dead Gorgeous walked right past and the aroma of Old Spice deodorant tickled my nose. “Evan’s just finishing up,” I said following him. God, the man’s back was so broad and his ass impossible round and firm. “Cool.” Roger just looked around the room. “Nice place.” “Thanks. I live here,” I said stupidly. “I mean, I’ve lived here for some time now.” “Cool. Can you check on Evan? We really should be going. Our racketball time is coming up shortly.” No wonder this guy wanted out of here. I was acting like a complete moron. He probably thought I was a fugitive from a looney bin or something. I walked back to the bathroom and knocked on the door. “Roger’s here. Are you gonna be much longer?” I asked. Evan opened the door and my mouth dropped open. Instead of his usual stoner clothes, he was dressed just like Cutie Pie, basketball shorts and a tank top. Evan was looking hot, not slouched and red-eyed like usual. His chest was still glistening with water. “I just need my shoes,” Evan said with a grin. “So what do you think?” “He’s beautiful,” I said. Evan got a pained look on his face. “Oh, yeah, Roger is quite handsome.” I watched as my subdued roommate went into his room and pulled on socks and Keds. He gave me a half smile and left to greet his new, well, boyfriend, I guess. “What’s up Rog?” he asked in his usual nonchalant way. Roger’s face lit up as Evan approached him. “Ready to get your ass handed to you?” the stud teased. “You wish,” Evan beamed back. “Later,” he said to me and I was stunned by this odd turn of events. The next two weeks were a whirlwind of activity. Evan quit the pizza place and signed up at a temp agency. He said his new boyfriend didn’t want him working nights. It was strange though. While Evan would go to the gym every day with Roger, his evenings were spent with me. He’d cook dinner and we’d watch movies or play cards. It was really great getting to know him better. I wondered why he needed his nights free when he spent his days with Captain Fantastic. Finally, one night I couldn’t contain my curiosity any longer. “Does Roger work nights or something?” I asked as Evan put a bowl of pasta in front of me. “Sometimes,” he said cryptically. “His schedule varies.” “I’m asking because you said he wanted you free for the evenings but you're never with him.” “I never said that,” Evan smiled. “Dig in while it’s still hot.” “Yes you did. You said your new boyfriend didn’t like you working nights,” I said stubbornly. I remembered him saying those exact words. “What are you doing tomorrow night?” Evan asked abruptly. “Nothing, why?” “Me and my boyfriend are having a date night,” he said smiling broadly. I studied his face which was turning beet red. “You mean Roger hasn’t taken you out yet?” “Nope,” he said. “We’ve just been working out and stuff.” I was afraid of the next question but it was burning a hole in my gut. “So, have you guys?” “Have we what?” Evan looked at me quizzically. “Have you, you know, been intimate?” I asked. It was bothering me so much. I didn’t really know why but the idea of Roger and Evan together was irking me. I had to know. “I haven’t kissed him if that’s your question,” Evan said as he continued eating. “You haven’t even kissed?” I was shocked. “You said he had you under a spell and you haven’t even made out yet?” “Nope. Tomorrow night is the night,” Evan said. His face showed just how excited he was about that prospect. It was making me nauseous. The next night when I got off of work, I stopped to pick up a rotisserie chicken and some potato salad. If Evan and Roger were having their first real date, I was going to splurge. I grabbed the most expensive ice cream they had to drown my sorrows and fill my anxious gut. When I got home and opened the front door, I heard music but the living room was dark. A beam of light was coming from the kitchen though and I followed it. Evan was placing a rose in the middle of the table set for two. There were candles and Sinatra was playing in the background. “I didn’t know you were having your date here,” I stammered. I was pretty pissed at him. Why didn’t he warn me? I didn’t want to lounge around watching Mr. Perfect’s hands all over Evan’s body. “Of course we’re having it here,” Evan said looking at me. His smile was electric, sex and warmth all wrapped up in one look. “What time is Roger supposed to be here?” I asked taking the guilty pleasures out of the bag and putting them in the frig and freezer. “I’ll just make myself scarce.” “Who said anything about Roger?” Evan asked. I froze. “Your new boyfriend?” I asked as the pieces fell into place. “You mean it’s me?” “Yep. It’s always been you. I thought you knew that.” His arms came around my back and rested on my stomach. Then, he kissed my neck. It felt like magic.

Thanks Kitt! Couldn't have done it without your help.

Thanks Suvitar! *scratching whiskers* I don't think that's the last of Kevin. I appreciate your review. It's getting much hotter now. Glad you're liking it.

Thanks LadyDe! Cliff is a mess as he should be. But there is always room for making amends. It was one of the first responders who wiped a tear. It wasn't because of the address, but what he'd heard from Cliff. I appreciate your review. Thanks.

Thanks Valkyrie! There is very little to say to defend Cliff. He truly screwed up his life and Owen's. Cliff first had to admit his mistakes. Now we'll see if he can become worthy of forgiveness.

Blizzard Row The first leg of the trip to Iowa had been pleasant enough. The sun was streaming through the scattered fluffy white clouds and Cliff was listening to ‘This American Life’ on Minnesota Public Radio. It was cold out but since this was February in Minnesota that was a given. Cliff hummed along with the musical interludes and all his troubles seemed far away, though not so long ago. Things changed though and by the time he reached Albert Lea, his program had ended and the snow was

Fascinating! You've built an intriguing premise. I want to read more. There are many questions. Thanks for your work!

Beautifully done. I like the delicate emotions they are having negotiating their own feelings following sex. It reminds me of those difficult and heady situations. (Hey! Not that many "firsts" for me! I'm married now) Jame is very much a prying and caring brother. They are happy but still in that stage of uncomfortable that is memorable. Great job Sasha. I do adore this story. Thanks:)

What a lovely story! Im especially glad Robbie found someone to love and Penguin got to attend. Ive enoyed the ride. Thank you for sharing it with us.

I love them too and videos are cool. Thanks Joann! Z is his constant companion.

Thanks Joann! Yaddie is lucky to have him. But someone else is watching over him too

I think you'll like it. People seem to enjoy it! Thanks.

Thanks Valkyrie! I love playing around with these stories. They're my own little experiments. It's fu.

Thats gonna be written soon. Its called The Consort. Thanks for the review. Its kicking me into gear!

Thanks so much Valkyrie! It was fun figuring out the parallels and a bit of a challenge. I'm glad it worked.

Thanks knotme! I'm glad you liked it. I hoped to convey that.

Thanks. The guy I was talking to about his issues thought it captured how he felt. I like Ben and wanted him happy!

Thanks. So much Valkyrie! I've been enjoying it all over again along with your comments! Much appreciated.

I love how Adam bends the rules. It's a very convincing scene as Adam guides Mkeal towards his own realization nothing has really changed. Mikeal's perception of his role is all that is questioned. Very heart warming and really poignant. Awesome job Cassie and thanks for writing it. As you know, I adore this story!

Yeah. You are getting the picture of how truly deluded Dylan really is.

No he definitely will not.

You anticipate the situation quite accurately.

They're both just really selfish people. As much as I dislike them both, at least Abby saw the havoc she caused. You get a taste of Ron's character with how his best friend is.