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

“And you have all day,”she reminded him.“Take care of Cyke first.He can’t shoot mutant beams from his eyes with a blown bulb.Red,okay?Make sure it’s a red light.”


“Got it.”An hour later Carey headed for Patrick’s booth again,thinking he could at least say hey,but he glimpsed Shonda through the crowds and changed direction.She was out to get him,that was all there was to it.She took her coordinator position way too seriously—he’d have to talk to Jan about that.Keep your girl off my back,will you?She’s crimping my style.


Behind the registration desk,Bill handed out pens to anyone who wanted to register for the door prizes.As Carey approached,he held out a pen.“Fill out one of these forms,”Bill told him.“Who knows?You might win.They’ve got the first issue of—”


“Shut it,”Carey told him,pushing the pen away.He came around the desk andsank into one of the chairs set out for the employees.“Shonda hates me,you know that?”


Chapter 6