Cool Town

My roommate's not even my type. The day we met he was wearing Tretorns and a rugby shirt. Bless his heart. But he had every Anne Rice on his bookshelf, Love and Rockets on CD, and the stereo to do it justice, and I thought, Okay. Maybe…

Two months later I know the look on his face when a song destroys him. But I promised myself I'd never be the pathetic gay guy pining for his straight friend.

Tonight we're going to a Halloween concert dressed as Louis and Lestat. I've spent the last hour on Nathan's makeup—pale base with blue veins, dark eyeliner, red lipstick—my hands shaking the whole time and hoping he didn't notice.

Somewhere between the Cocteau Twins on the turntable and a shared cigarette on his bottom bunk and the moment our faces were closer than they'd ever been, my reasons for keeping my distance have started to feel a lot like excuses.

The show changes everything. Not the way I wanted.

Now I can't be here when he gets back.

My trunk is open. My drawers are empty. I'm packing in the middle of the night.

Those Eyes, That Mouth is a slow burn, roommates-to-lovers, both-pining MM romance—one night that changed everything, set in 1987. Written and narrated by the author in his own voice. The first novella in the Cool Town series, it can be listened to as a standalone.

Ninety minutes—perfect for a commute or a long walk.