Release Tour, Exclusive Excerpt & Giveaway:
The Roles We Own by CD Rachels
Artists and Athletes, Book 4
Omar
Romance isn’t for me. Don’t get me wrong, I love the corniness of romcoms, but it’s not in the cards in my life. I play hard on the soccer field, I party hard with my boys, and I fool around with any girl or guy who’s hot and willing. The only person off limits: my best friend’s boyfriend’s brother, Sly O’Rourke. He’s cute, but I don’t do feelings.
Staying away from him would be easy if I didn’t have to direct the school musical for my degree credits. Sly is auditioning, and he’s not the shy, nerdy dude everyone thinks he is. He’s talented, charming, and gorgeous—totally boyfriend material, if I ever did relationships. When he asks for help practicing physical intimacy for the play, how can I refuse? It’s my job to make sure this musical is a success, and that’s what this is: strictly business.
But when his mouth catches mine, our bodies don’t get the memo. I don’t think Sly and I are acting anymore.
Sly
I’ve played the role of a comfortable straight guy for too long. The truth is: the thought of physical intimacy makes me nauseous. I’m not interested in anyone, guy or girl, which sucks, because I’ve always wanted a romantic story of my own.
Now that I’m at Korham University, I have the chance to redefine myself. If I play the role of a romantic hero during the semester musical, maybe I’ll learn to enjoy touching people or catch real feelings for once. There is one complication to my plan: I have to spend a lot of time with the soccer jock Omar Odom. He’s a touchy, handsy, party boy, but I eventually see a different side to him. As the weeks go by, my brother’s boyfriend’s best friend doesn’t seem so bad. He’s chill in ways I never could be and supports me in the play. He’s the perfect guy who can help me with the physical aspects of the dramatic arts.
When Omar puts his mouth on mine, I expect to be repulsed, not burning up on the inside. I’ve never wanted a girl or guy before so…what is happening to me? And why don’t I want it to stop?
The Roles We Own is a low-angst, male/male romance about new adults in college. It involves theater rehearsals, soccer games, frat parties, cartoon onesies, raisin bagels, and discovering what gray-asexuality can mean.
It is the fourth book in the “Artists and Athletes” series but can be read as a standalone.
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“Romance is a sham.” I lean forward so my new best friend, the cab driver, can hear me from the backseat. “Did you know that? Romance as a concept was invented a millennium ago to justify the nuclear family who had to work on ancient farms. Then later, it was peddled to give our boys something to look forward to while at war overseas. Then it was greeting cards, chocolates, and Drew Barrymore movies. Which brings us to the present, with apps on apps selling the prospect of digital love. But all of it is a lie.”
He doesn’t respond, but I want to keep riding the buzz coursing through my veins, so I continue, “I just got back from a frat party where I got freaky in some girl’s room, and she wanted me to stay. But you wanna know what I said?”
I’m met with silence. “I said I had to go study. Because I didn’t want her catching feelings or anything like that. We varsity soccer boys get plenty of groupies, so it’s part of the jock lifestyle. But it’s better not to let anyone get attached to me because I’ll hurt them down the line. Strings lead to expectations, which only lead to let-downs—relationships hurt, man.” The cab ride is making me feel dizzy, with streetlights piercing through the darkness of the night. I want to drink more, but I don’t reach for the bottle of vodka in my over-the-shoulder fanny pack. Taking a shot right now would be wrong on so many levels—I’m drunk, but I’m still ethical.
“As a matter of fact,” I continue, “one of my best friends, Landon, fell hard last semester, but now? He’s moping in his dorm room, I’m sure, because the dude—I mean, the person—broke things off with him during the summer. Apparently his special person is taking a sabbatical from college for some dance internship in New York City. Anyway, heartache is real, yes. But romance?” I shake my head way too aggressively. “Doubtful at best.”
“What about your parents?” my driver asks. We pass a stoplight as we encroach on the Korham University campus. “Are they married?”
“Mhm. Okay, sure, my parents love each other, I think, but they got married because my grandparents expected it.” I swallow back a burp. “You’re a good guy. What did you say your name was again?”
“Muhammed, sir.” His thick white mustache bounces as he talks, and his glasses reflect the campus lights.
“Nice to meet you, Muhammed.” My speech is starting to slur, but I don’t care because I’m enjoying this conversation. “You from Bangladesh? My parents are from Bangladesh. Don’t let my lighter complexion fool you. I’m definitely their son.”
“Pakistan, sir.” He pulls up to the curb near a cluster of dormitories.
“Ah. You’re a good man.” I smile and pat his shoulder. “It was nice chatting with you. I’ll give you a nice tip on the app.”
“Thank you, sir.” He turns to me. “And Omar? I’m sorry for whoever hurt you.”
I’m stunned sober and silent for a moment. There’s no way he knows about my past. A moment later I’m back to grinning. “Ahhh, you’re alright, Muhammed!” I laugh and stumble out of the cab.
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Check out Book 1: The Lines We Draw
Ravi
I’m perfectly fine in my comfort zone. As co-captain of my university soccer team, I know my place. I play hard on the field and my teammates look up to me. Would they look up to me if they knew I liked guys? Probably not, so I’m okay staying a closeted virgin.
That is, until I’m forced to take an arts class, and I’m seated next to the sexiest guy I’ve ever seen. He helps me pass art class, makes me laugh, and has me wanting things I never thought were possible. As the semester goes on, we get closer, and trying to keep my hands off him and stay away from him becomes nearly impossible.
What will happen to my position on the team if I ask him out? I don’t think I’m willing to find out. Now I just gotta stop dreaming about kissing him and holding him… Damn.
Steven
As a fine arts major, I have to focus on creating good work and impressing my professors. Part of that entails sitting in on this beginners arts class, and I just so happen to be next to a gorgeous athlete this semester.
Relationships are a sour note for me, but flirting with the co-captain of the soccer team could be fun. I know it’s not going to go anywhere- he’s straight. Over time, though, becoming friends with Ravi, teaching him how to visualize his art, and learning about his life makes me question what we’re doing.
I don’t know if I’m ready to let someone else into my heart again, least of all a potential closet case (no matter how sexy he is). Still with the way he makes me smile and how my heart beats when I’m near him, I think we’re both in too deep now.
The Lines We Draw is a low-angst, friends-to-lovers story involving art classes, soccer games, nude models, drunken parties, and discovering what sex and love can really feel like, HEA guaranteed. It is the first of a series and can be read as a standalone.
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He’s been consuming young adult gay fiction since he was a teen, but within the past five years moved up to the big leagues of gay adult romance. In 2020 during quarantine, he burned through more male/male romance books than he ever had in the previous 29 years combined.
He lives in New York City with the love of his life and works in health insurance. When he’s not reading and writing, he’s playing board games and practicing music. He is honored to become a self-published author, and if you’re reading this, your support means so much to him that it’s giving him a tingly feeling (in a good way).
Follow him on Instagram: @cdrachels
Or join his group on Facebook: “CD Rachels’ Chill Discourse Room”
Catch up with Charles:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/cdrachels/
Amazon Author’s Page: CD Rachels Author Page
Facebook Author Group: CD Rachels’ Chill Discourse Room
