Carey Thornton is tired of couples. All his friends have someone special and he feels like the odd man out. Painfully single, Carey cruises the nightclubs and gay party scene, flirting with any hot guy who looks his way, but he always seems to be the one to go home alone.<br><br>It's comic convention weekend at the Omni Hotel where Carey works, and somehow he got roped into working the registration desk in the dealer room. While checking in the vendors before the crowds arrive, he meets the sexy Pat Dix, setting up the booth for Kryptonite Comics.<br><br>Painfully shy, Patrick has never dreamt an outgoing, fun-loving guy like Carey would ever find him attractive. He's surprised when Carey asks him to hang out after the convention hall closes, and he surprises himself by saying yes. A late night in the hotel pool with Carey's rowdy friends might just be what Patrick needs to break him out of his shell. But it isn't until the friends leave them alone that Patrick gets "Carey'd away."

Carey'd Away

Because he had nothing else planned for the weekend,and because he coulduse a few extra bucks,Patrick had agreed.But now…


What the hell was I thinking?he wondered as he lifted the box onto one of the tables in their booth.


Opening the box,he started sorting through the comics,not sure what he was really doing.Each book was carefully wrapped in a thin plastic bag to protect it.Leena had price stickers stuck on the outside of the bag,and the books appeared to be in some semblance of order,so Patrick laid them out on the table the same way he pulled them from the box.Help me out,she says.And where is she,hmm?That’s what I’d like to know.It’s not helping out if I’m the only one doing the work.


Chapter 3