Shy, soft-spoken clarinet player Thad Archer tours Europe over spring break with his college marching band. He's lonely so far from home and everything he's ever known, but at least he has his friends -- Mark, Peter, Seth, and Jamie. Thad has had a secret crush on sexy drummer Jamie McIntosh since they met but has never managed to pluck up the courage to confess his feelings. Could Jamie be as lonely and homesick as Thad? Confident and cocky, Jamie is Thad's opposite in every way, but something about his quiet friend sets his heart aflutter. Unfortunately, Thad's deep in the closet, while Jamie is much more secure in his sexuality. Jamie doesn't want to rush Thad into anything he isn't ready for, but hopefully at some point in their friendship, they can move toward something more. But any romantic hopes the pair have are frustrated by Mark, the band's drum major, who has his sights set on bedding trombonist Seth, or flutist Peter, or anyone, really. He isn't too picky. If he can't get into the pants of his straight friends, he'll settle for whoever he can get. Thad? Jamie? The band will be flying back to the States in a couple of days. Thad knows once they're home, he'll have missed his chance with Jamie. Can he be satisfied just being friends? Or has Mark conducted his way between them?

Playing for Keeps

Mark still holds Thad’s wrist, and he squeezes it until Thad looks at him. “Do I look like I’m trying to be funny?”


Thad tries to wriggle out of Mark’s grip and can’t. “Mark—”


“Do you think I’m doing this to be mean?” Mark asks.


“I don’t know,” Thad admits. “Let me go.”


For a scary moment, Thad thinks Mark will just continue to squeeze until his hand falls off. But with an easy smile, Mark finally lets go. “Hey,” he purrs, spreading his hands out to show Thad he means no harm. “I’m not going to go running to him about it, don’t worry. So you like him. So what? He is cute. He has a great ass.”


Chapter 19