Single Gamer's Society

When I need a date for my cousin Omar’s wedding, I don’t even think of asking my best friend’s brother. Johnny Shiba—my hot as sin, teenage gay awakening—has been gone for years. But now he’s moved back in with his brother and me, and, no, he hasn’t gotten less hot. Being in close quarters with him, my decade-long crush only burns brighter. We can’t cross that line because I could never betray my bestie—not that Johnny has any interest in me.

I've spent all of my adulthood bound to my best friend. He's outgoing, fun, and sexy; how else did he get the nickname Hamadi Huge Body Amin? Is he the brightest bulb in the box? No, but that doesn't stop girls from falling for him. As his best friend and a man, I shouldn't have fallen for him as well. But I did. I gave my heart to him years ago.

My goal is to be strong and get built. Falling for my gorgeous, straight gym bro is against all the rules. I realize I’m unapologetically, flamboyantly gay. My board game buddies accept me as I am. I love my eyeliner, my accessories, and even my curly hair. Not every gay man is into that, hence my cruddy love life. But the one thing I want to modify is my physique. I might never be ‘masc,’ but I can be muscular. No one will hurt me again if I become brawny and big, just like the dudes I’m into.

Moving back to Newlantic is my fresh restart. I’ve got a new production business, a sister who’s getting married, and years of regrets to close the door on. The only complication is my job and my sister’s wedding both putting me in close quarters with the one and only Natie Shiba. This dude was my first crush as a preteen, but somewhere along the line he grew to despise me. But I’m not that giant, stuttering teenager anymore, and Natie is all man. I can ignore these stupid unrequited feelings as we work together. But over time, this town becomes a place I can call home again.