Justin Isaksen is a twenty-five-year-old US Olympian competing in his first Games. Unfortunately, this competition will be his last because doctors confirm he is losing his eyesight faster than they thought he would. He’ll be legally blind by the time the next Games roll around, and Justin must learn how to deal with the end of his competition career.
Caesar Gikas’ job is dangerous and he travels the world searching for targets. He does what he does because he’s good at it, but it’s lonely work. Then a chance encounter with Justin shows Caesar that there just might be someone out there for him.
Justin’s not willing to roll over and quit the sport he loves without one last chance at glory. Caesar isn’t about to quit the only job at which he’s successful. Now that both men are losing sight of their own targets, will they discover how much fun it is to focus on new ones?
Genres: Gay/Contemporary/Sports/Athletes
Heat Level: 3
Length: Novella (19k words)
Length: Novella (19k words)
Read a short excerpt...
...Justin studied the menu and there wasn’t anything there that was on his training regime. Shrugging, he ordered a hamburger with fries along with a double shot of whiskey on the rocks. If there was ever a time he had the right to say “fuck it,” today was that day.
When the waitress brought him his drink, he didn’t allow himself to think about how it wasn’t the smartest thing for him to do. At that moment, he didn’t care. His future had derailed from the path he’d planned for from the instant he’d first put on cross-country skis and shot a rifle.
Competing in the Olympics had been his goal from the beginning, and while he would be able to achieve that this year, he wouldn’t be able to attend any more as a participant. So he wouldn’t be going to any because what would be the point? It wasn’t like he’d even be able to watch the events.
He slammed the shot back and ordered another one. By the time his food arrived, he’d had three whiskeys and was working on his fourth.
“Don’t you think you should take it easy?”
Justin glanced up to see an older man standing next to his booth. “I’m not interested.”
The man snorted in amusement. “Do you think I’m a rent boy? I think I’m flattered.”
“It doesn’t matter what you’re selling. I’m not interested. I just want to eat and drink for a while.” Justin gestured toward his burger and whiskey.
Without asking permission, the man slid into the booth across from Justin, then held out his hand. “I’m Caesar Gikas.”
Justin’s mother had instilled manners into her son that even four drinks couldn’t get him to ignore. He shook Caesar’s hand and said, “Justin Isaksen.”
“So, Justin, you’re just looking to get drunk?” Caesar made a point of checking his watch. “Isn’t it a little early in the day to do that or is this your usual routine?”
Frowning, Justin stared at him. “How the hell is it any of your business when I decide to drink?”
To emphasize the fact that Caesar had no control over him, he picked up his glass and took a big swig from it. Banging it on the table, he glared at Caesar.
“Normally, I would say it isn’t any of my business, but I think you’re dealing with other issues and I don’t think getting drunk will help you.” Caesar motioned the waitress over. “I’d like a cup of coffee for myself and several glasses of water for my friend here.”
Justin shook his head. “Now wait a minute. I don’t know who the fuck you think you are, but you can’t just take over. You’re not my father or my coach.”
“Ah, you’re an athlete. I thought so when I saw you walk in. You have that very fit look about you.” Caesar unbuttoned his suit coat, slipping it off to lay it carefully on the bench next to him.
“Just make yourself at home,” Justin muttered before taking a bite of his burger. He moaned as the juices hit his tongue. Fuck! It had been a long time since he’d eaten anything as fattening as this. He closed his eyes as he chewed, then moaned again.
A cleared throat had him looking over at Caesar, who stared at him in what seemed like fascination. Justin grabbed a napkin to wipe his chin.
“Do I have anything on my face?”
Caesar cleared his throat again while shaking his head. “No. I’ve never seen someone enjoy a burger quite that much.”
There was a flare of lust in Caesar’s eyes, and Justin felt a matching heat rise in his groin...
When the waitress brought him his drink, he didn’t allow himself to think about how it wasn’t the smartest thing for him to do. At that moment, he didn’t care. His future had derailed from the path he’d planned for from the instant he’d first put on cross-country skis and shot a rifle.
Competing in the Olympics had been his goal from the beginning, and while he would be able to achieve that this year, he wouldn’t be able to attend any more as a participant. So he wouldn’t be going to any because what would be the point? It wasn’t like he’d even be able to watch the events.
He slammed the shot back and ordered another one. By the time his food arrived, he’d had three whiskeys and was working on his fourth.
“Don’t you think you should take it easy?”
Justin glanced up to see an older man standing next to his booth. “I’m not interested.”
The man snorted in amusement. “Do you think I’m a rent boy? I think I’m flattered.”
“It doesn’t matter what you’re selling. I’m not interested. I just want to eat and drink for a while.” Justin gestured toward his burger and whiskey.
Without asking permission, the man slid into the booth across from Justin, then held out his hand. “I’m Caesar Gikas.”
Justin’s mother had instilled manners into her son that even four drinks couldn’t get him to ignore. He shook Caesar’s hand and said, “Justin Isaksen.”
“So, Justin, you’re just looking to get drunk?” Caesar made a point of checking his watch. “Isn’t it a little early in the day to do that or is this your usual routine?”
Frowning, Justin stared at him. “How the hell is it any of your business when I decide to drink?”
To emphasize the fact that Caesar had no control over him, he picked up his glass and took a big swig from it. Banging it on the table, he glared at Caesar.
“Normally, I would say it isn’t any of my business, but I think you’re dealing with other issues and I don’t think getting drunk will help you.” Caesar motioned the waitress over. “I’d like a cup of coffee for myself and several glasses of water for my friend here.”
Justin shook his head. “Now wait a minute. I don’t know who the fuck you think you are, but you can’t just take over. You’re not my father or my coach.”
“Ah, you’re an athlete. I thought so when I saw you walk in. You have that very fit look about you.” Caesar unbuttoned his suit coat, slipping it off to lay it carefully on the bench next to him.
“Just make yourself at home,” Justin muttered before taking a bite of his burger. He moaned as the juices hit his tongue. Fuck! It had been a long time since he’d eaten anything as fattening as this. He closed his eyes as he chewed, then moaned again.
A cleared throat had him looking over at Caesar, who stared at him in what seemed like fascination. Justin grabbed a napkin to wipe his chin.
“Do I have anything on my face?”
Caesar cleared his throat again while shaking his head. “No. I’ve never seen someone enjoy a burger quite that much.”
There was a flare of lust in Caesar’s eyes, and Justin felt a matching heat rise in his groin...
What an interesting extract and hint at how the story may develop between the two men. I know what it's like to have to change your dreams and expectations, but both of these men are at the top of their chosen careers and to deviate or change will be difficult for both, no matter if Justin has no choice in the matter. I look forward to having a chance of reading this story (very soon I hope) just to find out how this conflict is resolved. I love TA Chase's books, so I am sure it will end happily after a bit of angst and romance of course :)
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