Playing by different rules can lead to heartbreak, but changing the game plan can be the tiebreaker. Luke Briscoe has a good reason to stay in the closet with his team, the Rough Riders. Bitter past experience has taught him to be cautious around athletic teams. But after Mario, his teammate and lover of ten years, leaves him, tired of the secrecy, Luke is forced to confront his fears, especially since the sexy and confident new member of the team, Derek Grimm, has no problem with being out and proud. Derek has wanted Luke from the first moment he saw him. But he knows the timing is all wrong, and vows to let Luke have the time he needs to recover from his breakup. As time goes on, though, Derek becomes frustrated with Luke’s determination to stay in the closet. Derek and Mario are out, and the team is fine with it. Why is Luke still holding back? Derek wonders if any amount of time will ever be enough. Maybe it’s time to try a different game plan... Reader This story has been previously released as part of the Gaymes anthology by Total-E-Bound

An upcoming holiday like Valentine’s Day can be rough on a couple when one of them thinks they’re fine, and the other thinks their relationship is almost over. Mario and Jordan have been together for over a year, but living in two different cities is starting to take its toll on their relationship, at least in Mario’s view. When he tries desperate measures to get Jordan’s attention, will the drama backfire on him? Or will he get more than he ever dreamed? Reader’s Advisory: This free story contains characters introduced in Rough Awakening.