Even the nicest of guys can decide to cut loose at some point, especially if he's at college and a frat brother invites him to a party. Unfortunately, that can end quite badly. Luckily for Dante ap Owen, it doesn't -- until he keeps needing to piss every few minutes and he sees blood in his urine. Another stroke of luck for him is the substitute professor, also a medical doctor he’s been crushing on, who happens to be there when he passes out in class and pushes him to come to his clinic.<br><br>But Dante and his beloved, critically ill mother are under the control of his bitter uncle, who also provides health insurance. If his uncle finds out Dante is being treated for anything, let alone what Dante fears is an STD, he's ... Dante doesn't want to think about that. So he flees the clinic before he has to make a follow-up appointment.<br><br>The good doctor shows up at his uncle's farm when phone calls do nothing. And when Dante's uncle invites the doctor to dinner and serves a meal worthy of Medea, the doctor urges Dante and his mother to leave. But will they? And will Dante realize the doctor wants him as much as he wants the doctor?

So Let Us Rejoice

“My name is Janelle,” the nurse said. “I’m going to take your vitals.”


I nodded, removed my jacket, and pushed up the sleeve of my T-shirt. She wrapped the cuff around my upper arm and pressed the button that started it inflating. While we waited, she placed an oximeter on my forefinger and stuck a thermometer in my ear.


“You seem to be running a low grade temperature.” She sat down before a computer and entered the numbers. “Dr. Autry will be with you shortly.”


“Thank you.” I’d heard that before.


She left the room, and I took out my Kindle to continue reading a story I’d managed to download from a fanfiction site when I was on one of the university’s computers.


Before I had a chance to do more than tap the icon, the door opened and Dr. Autry walked in


“Dr. Autry.” I put the reading device away.


I must have seemed hesitant, because he asked, “Would you like Janelle in here while I examine you?”


“No.” I licked my lips. “That is, no. That won’t be necessary.”


Chapter 14