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

This close Mark can count each shadow cast by Seth’s eyelashes, and all thoughts of holding his friend’s nose until Seth wakes disappear. Seth’s cheeks are slightly flushed, and with each breath, his eyelashes flutter. Mark leans down and trails a finger high up across Seth’s cheek, just under his eyelashes. They tickle Mark’s skin and Seth stirs, brushing his finger away. 


Mark pulls his other leg over the chair and sinks to sit on the edge beside Seth. Before he can talk himself out of it—before he can even think about doing it, really—he leans over and presses his mouth to Seth’s pinked lips.


They feel as soft as his eyelashes. Mark licks his tongue along them, eyes open as he watches Seth for any sign. Yes, no, maybe? Nothing at all? Please, Mark thinks, delving in for another kiss.


Chapter 24