Today I am so pleased to welcome Lane Hayes to Joyfully Jay. Lane has come to talk to us about her latest release, Out in the Field. She has also brought along a great giveaway. Please join me in giving her a big welcome!

 

Excerpt

Phoenix scowled before pulling his cup close and shaking his head emphatically. When I returned, he cocked his head and gave me a curious look. “What’s your wild idea?”

I sucked in a deep breath and sighed. “I can’t tell you. If I do, it’ll jinx it.”

“Oh. I understand.”

“You do?”

“Yeah. It’s the same in theater. Actors are a suspicious bunch too. Never wish anyone in the entertainment business good luck. Always say ‘break a leg.’ And never say the name ‘Macbeth’ or quote a line from Macbethduring a production.”

“Why?”

“It’s bad luck.”

I squinted at him suspiciously. “Wait. Didn’t you quote Macbethlast week? Something about the dark.”

“Yes. But that’s because the play was over. It’s my personal last performance tradition,” he replied. “One quote on the final night…in the dark.”

“That’s a little crazy.”

“Yep,” he agreed with a Cheshire cat grin.

“Aren’t you afraid you’re playing with fire and jinxing your chance at getting another role?”

“No.” Phoenix reached behind him to rap his knuckles on the bark of the palm tree. “It’s worked for me every time. Want a bite?”

“You’re not afraid of germs?” I glanced down at the spoonful he offered.

“My indecent proposal involves sharing all the germs, so I’ll take a chance.”

I fixed him with a slow-growing smile and held his gaze as I sucked the chocolate deliciousness from his spoon.

“Are we talking about this now?” I asked in a huskier than normal tone.

Phoenix parted his lips slightly, then gulped audibly. “Yeah. I think so.”

“Good. So, how indecent do you want to get?”

“Very indecent,” he whispered in a daze.

“Me too. But we have to figure a few things out. How often do you want to meet? My place or yours? Are we allowed to see other people? How confidential is this and…do you want to get tested?”

He gaped at me for so long I began to think he’d gone into shock. He gave me a wry half smile when I kicked his chair and then cleared his throat. “You’ve thought this through.”

“Are you kidding me? I haven’t thought of anything but this for eight days. I’m gonna be honest, I’ve got sex on the brain twenty-four seven. But it’s never fucked with my game. Until today. I was fucking terrible. I couldn’t concentrate at all. I almost boggled an easy fly ball in foul territory, for fuck’s sake.”

“What does that mean?”

“It’s when—that’s not important.” I swiped my hand over my jaw. “The point is, I think we should agree to some terms or something and…”

“Get naked,” he deadpanned.

“Fuck, yes.”

Phoenix pursed his lips, his pretty eyes glinting with ready humor. “Let’s talk terms. How often? Um…maybe three times a week or less.”

“Or more,” I interjected.

“Okay.” He chuckled. “Where should we meet? My sister is my roommate and she’s the only one I’d ever tell. She’s totally trustworthy. I promise. But she’s home a lot so—”

“We can meet at my place. Christian is always at Rory’s. Even if he were to come home unexpectedly, you can trust him too.”

He inclined his head. “You mentioned seeing other people. I guess that’s reasonable. I mean, we aren’t boyfriends and we don’t even know each other very well. But, if you meet someone else or just want out…let me know. There’s nothing worse than being the last to find out it’s over.”

“I agree. You have nothing to worry about. I play ball and go to class during season. That’s about it. The chances of meeting anyone else are slim, and I’m not looking anyway. That’s why we’re talking about this.”

“True.” He narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. “What about that last one? Do you really want to get tested? That seems a bit premature.”

“Maybe you’re right,” I conceded. “We can shelve that one for now.”

“Uh, yeah. Last Friday was amazing, but we don’t have to…you know.”

“Fuck?” I supplied. “Don’t you want to?”

Phoenix glanced at the table closest to us. “Shh. Of course I want to. I was giving you an out.”

I waited for the family of four to pass our table before answering. When I did, I leaned in and spoke in a low voice for his ears only. “I don’t want an out. I want you.”


Blurb

Max Maldonado loves baseball. He knows playing first base at a private college probably won’t get him to the big leagues, but he doesn’t mind. He loves the game and his teammates. If he has to stay in the closet until he graduates, that’s okay. Baseball comes first. Relationships are complicated anyway. And after his recent messy breakup, Max prefers to keep things simple.

Phoenix Bell is a fabulous theater geek. He’s excited about his recent transfer to a new school with an elite liberal arts program. Life has been on hold for a while, but this opportunity feels like the fresh start he was hoping for when he moved to California. And the chance reunion with the hot closeted jock is an unexpected surprise. The two men have nothing in common and their timing couldn’t be worse. However, when their unconventional alliance blossoms into friendship and perhaps something more, it may be time to make some hard decisions. And perhaps risk it all…out in the field.

Purchase at Amazon


Bio

Lane Hayes is grateful to finally be doing what she loves best. Writing full-time! It’s no secret Lane loves a good romance novel. An avid reader from an early age, she has always been drawn to well-told love story with beautifully written characters. These days she prefers the leading roles to both be men. Lane discovered the M/M genre a few years ago and was instantly hooked. Her debut novel was a 2013 Rainbow Award finalist and subsequent books have received Honorable Mentions, and were First Place winners in the 2016 and 2017 Rainbow Awards. She loves red wine, chocolate and travel (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband in a newly empty nest.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodreadsBookbub | Amazon


Giveaway

Lane has brought a great giveaway for her tour. Just follow the Rafflecopter below to enter. 

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