RELEASE TOUR incl Exclusive Excerpt: Something to Prove by Lane Hayes
Length: 59,000 words Series: Smithton Bears, book 2 Prior Reading: Recommended but not essential Genre: contemporary, sports Tropes: Small-town, College, Hockey, Geek/Jock, Light-angst, Opposites Attract Trigger/Content Warnings: n/a
The hockey star, the influencer, and the deal of a lifetime.
Ty I’m going to the pros, baby! Deal made, contract signed. Now all I have to do is finish out my final season at Smithton and stay out of trouble. I like to have a good time, but don’t worry, I’ll behave.
What I won’t do is talk to that double-crossing influencer who’s been badgering me for an interview. No thanks.
I know Walker’s type—sweet as pie on the outside, a shark on the inside.
Get this…he wants to make a deal that sounds a lot like a bribe.
Not interested. No way.
But I am curious.
Walker I’ve never worked so hard for an interview in my life. Ugh!
Look, I get that Ty doesn’t like me. As in…he won’t return my calls and avoids me like the plague on campus.
Too bad. I’m not giving up.
I don’t want to beg, but I’m willing to barter. Every man has his price—and something to prove.
Even Ty.
Something to Proveis a low-angst, geek-jock MM bisexual college hockey romance featuring a hockey star and the adorkable influencer who’s determined to win him over…
“Yeah, I think we did it again. Kickin’ ass and takin’ names.” I held up my hand for a high five, chuckling at Walker’s derisive snort as he swatted my palm. “Something like that.” He rested his elbow on the window and studied me. “It needs a lot of editing. But yes, this was, dare I say it—just as good as the interview.” “I agree. We’re unstoppable.” “You didn’t really drink that milkshake, did you?” I nodded and rubbed my belly. “I did.” “Liar,” he huffed without heat. “Okay, it was more of a taste. The gummy worms were probably a mistake.” Walker pursed his lips, his eyes bright with humor. “Probably, but you’ll still win.” “Why do you think that?” “Hockey.” I shrugged. “Hockey is pretty cool.” “Hmph.” We chuckled lightly and went back to staring at each other. This had to stop…like immediately. What was it about this guy? Walker was quirky, but in a super cute way. And he had the toned physique of lucky genetics versus someone who knew his way around a gym. His hair was a softer shade of red in the filtered midday sunlight and his skin was pale but not ghostly. The combo made his eyes look like topaz gemstones…brown and gold and— Okay…what the fuck was wrong with me? Gemstones? Wake up, Czerniak. I was trying. Believe me. My pulse was racing, though—a sure sign I needed to put some distance between us. I bit the inside of my cheek and stepped sideways. “I…um…how long does editing usually take?” Shit. That was not an exit speech. “Robin and Shay are pretty quick, but they have classes too, so two or three days is the norm. This will be posted the week after the ceramics episode. I wouldn’t want to deprive the world of my…let’s call it original artistry,” he joked, adding, “And it’s best to keep your audience wanting more. Like…online edging.” “Kinky.” “Exactly.” Walker lowered his head briefly as if to hide his blush, and fixed me with a look I couldn’t read to save my life. “I’m visiting Misty’s candle shop next week. You might find that interesting. She actually makes her products in a barn behind her house on the outskirts of town. She said there are two barns…one for goats, another for melting wax and making magic.” I cocked my chin and narrowed my eyes. “Are you inviting me?” “I am.” “Okay, I’ll be there.” I tugged my bottom lip between my teeth. “Great.” His nostrils flared and his eyes glazed with a lusty sheen that made my dick jump to attention. “I’m on my way home now, and um…you could follow me.” I blinked. “I could do that,” I rasped. Walker nodded profusely, then stopped abruptly. “Wait. Are we saying the same thing? For the record, I’m making a lewd and inappropriate proposition to…uh…” “Get horizontally acquainted?” I supplied. “Yes.” He cleared his throat, lifting his chin proudly. “And what are you doing?” “You?” Walker’s lips twitched before he ducked into his Mini. “Excellent. See you soon.” Fact: A month ago, I had despised Walker on principle and now…I wanted him. Badly. It had nothing to do with his famous hockey dad or jumping on his social media bandwagon. It was him. All him. I stealthily adjusted my cock and strode to my Jeep, my head buzzing a million miles an hour. I honestly didn’t know what the hell I was doing, but I didn’t need to do any deep self-analysis to know I was wading into some murky moral territory and a losing battle with my conscience.
Lane Hayes lives in sunny Southern California with her amazing husband, who thankfully doesn’t mind cooking, and their fabulous fox red Labrador, George, who’s pure mischief. Both provide oodles of inspiration for the low-angst, humorous books Lane loves to write. She’s been telling stories about sexy, funny, sometimes geeky and quirky men who find love for a dozen years now and loving every minute. In her previous life, she sat at a desk and dealt with numbers, so yes…romance is much more satisfying! Lane loves tea, travel, and chocolate…in any order. Add a book and she’s set!
