A Competitive Edge

by Adara O’Hare

Official Blurb: Fleury has just returned from studying abroad for a semester, which means campus housing is full and leaves him stuck rooming in the Track Team House with his least favorite teammate and rival, Heath. When he arrives at the house to move back in, the room is a mess and Heath is acting very strange: he's apologetic and bashful instead of the antagonistic jerk he usually is. Heath's personality switch catches Fleury off-guard in ways he doesn't want to examine. It's also too good to be true; Heath reverts to his old ways once the other team members arrive back at the house. After that, Heath runs hot and cold throughout the semester, swinging between flirty and frustrating.

Then, at the first track meet of the outdoor season, Fleury makes a huge, stupid error that ends up in a twisted ankle and Heath taking his place as the anchor leg of the 'A' relay. It doesn't help matters that Heath is the only one who saw exactly what caused Fleury's accident.

Fleury can't help but wonder which Heath will greet him when they return from the track meet. Will it be the rival gloating about his stupidity? Or will Heath surprise him with kindness? If he wants more than a cold shoulder, Fleury will have to take matters into his own hands.

Original Prompt:
Dear Author.
I'm running warm up laps around the track when the shot put throwers start their practice throws. Ogling them distracts me enough that I veer off course into the hurdles. The end result is embarrassment, a sprained ankle, and losing my chance to participate in today's meet against our biggest rival. As a senior, I don't want to give up my spot, but I especially don't want to give it up to him.

Since the start, we've been rivals on the track. We run the same distances and are competing with each other for spots at the starting block. But while I'm sure what relationship we have on the field, I'm less sure what we have off of it. Being forced to share a bedroom in a house with our other teammates doesn't help any. One day he's flaying me with sarcasm and the next he's gazing soulfully at me from across the room when he thinks I can't see.

What's his problem? I can't figure him out. And what will happen tonight? Will he gloat about taking my spot, or surprise me by offering comfort just when I need it most?

Photo Description: Two photos, each of a young man. One is tall, skinny, and pale-skinned with straight, platinum blonde, straw-like hair. He wears black skinny jeans and a tight black shirt with a V-neck and the sleeves pushed up to his elbows. The other guy is a few inches shorter, slightly more muscular and tanned, with wavy, brown hair. He wears black jeans and an open black leather vest, showing off his body.

This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love is Always Write" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.

Download the story, read it at the Author's website or here or find it in Love Is Always Write: Volume 2.

Genres: M M Romance, Contemporary, Sports, Romance, Short Stories, College, New Adult

46 pages, ebook

First published May 22, 2012

About the author

Adara is a geek in writer’s clothing—a mild-mannered website designer by day and a wife, mother, reader, and sometimes writer by night. She enjoys Star Wars, Firefly, manga (includes yaoi), anime (very little yaoi), and a whole lot of other hobbies, mostly encompassed by the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA). She still has her collections of board and card games, stuffed animals, original My Little Ponies, and Star Wars books and action figures, though not really anyplace to put them at the moment. Thank goodness most of her M/M romance collection is eBook, not physical, or there would be no space at all left to walk in the dining room.

(NOTE: If you are sending me a friend request just to try to promote your books to me or invite me to release events, I will unfriend and block you.)

Reviews

[Meags · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Stars

This DRITC freebie is a college-themed shorty, featuring two roommates and fellow members of the track team, Fleury and Heath, as their long-time rivalry begins to evolve into some intense sexual tension that they find themselves unable to deny for long.

It’s a bit sexy and a bit kinky, but I wouldn’t call this a romance. There is a definite chemistry between Fleury and Heath, but even though they get together over the course of the story, I wasn’t all that convinced that what they shared would become anything long term. It definitely read as a simple HFN to me, which is fine for what it was.

[* A Reader Obsessed * · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Stars

A quick sporty, enemies to lovers, collegiate DRiTC that was unexpectedly explicit and a bit dirty. I liked the senior track star Fleury who was generous and friendly, but Heath rubbed me wrong several times with his abrasive defensive personality. A fun romp overall, but not to my exact liking!

[Major English (Laura) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heath and Fluery are college roommates who live in the track house as they are both members of the track team. Fluery is openly gay and Heath is rumored to be bi.

So, one night Heath makes his move on Fleury, handcuffing him to his bed and instructing him not to say any other word other than a whimper. So it's a kinky sex scene with toys and no talking allowed and dirty talk. Then the story ends shortly there after. There is not too much more to the story other than lust, masterbation and this kinky sex scene.

So it's a smutty story about two track runners. Not a whole lot of depth and a HFN.

[Lilli *slowest reader ever* · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Liked this one very very much, it kept me on the edge of my seat. Interesting characters (they were both cool in their own way), sports theme, rivals with quite a bit of pretty funny banter going on, a bit of serious stuff thrown in, some wondering about motives and some really really hawt sex. And kinda cute in the end.

I liked the first person writing style a lot, too! Complimented the story and narrator's character very well.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Offered for FREE from the M/M Romance Group.

OK in the interest of honestly, I read the second half of this first. I kinda just wanted to skip to the good stuff, and it was definitely good. But I was interested in the characters and how they got there so I went back and read the beginning. I did enjoy it, the only thing is they could have made Heath a little less of a dick. I know he was going through stuff, but besides those nice three days before the semester started, what motivation was there for Fleur to feel the way he did? I dunno, although their little convo at the end did help.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

4+ stars. This m/m short story was muy caliente, and I loved the banter between the main characters and the internal thoughts of the first person narrator. The edging scene was hot, but I could have used a little more tenderness from Heath. Overall, a really fun and enjoyable romp.

Note: This is a freebie short story from the Goodreads M/M Romance Group's event "Love is Always Write." The story can be found here on the group's discussion board: "A Competitive Edge" by Adara O'Hare.

[Shakisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been having better luck with reading shorts as of late and this did not disappoint.

I really enjoyed it and I would love to see a continuation or maybe a novella for Flower & CJ (LOL)

[Monique · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven't had the chance to read in a while so this cute story did the trick. Hehe, loved the Harry Potter references!

[Bubbles Hunty Honest & Direct Opinions · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't like the Mcs pov. It seemed dry and it rambled. I never connected with him or saw the connection between the two Mcs. Also not a harry potter fan so didn't understand all that but seemed like a cheap trick to try and use something already popular to male people like your book. Guess it has the opposite effect on someone that doesn't like it.

Even not seeing their connection I didn't like how he slept with the pizza boy, or was in the process of it when Heath walked in. Then the next day thinking how much he wants Heath and has to masturbate all the time thinking about it. Where did that come from? I sure didn't see it. You didn't seem to care the day before.

I have an extremely hard time thinking he takes this running thing seriously when during a meet and his race he is so distracted been a slut and watching other guys he falls and hurts himself. Sorry that just doesn't seem like he's committed to the competition or team at all. And then since he's hurt he tries to put pressure on Heath saying he needs to step it up and cover for him? Seriously what a douche.

Omg a really long fantasy sex/masturbation scene. Hate these so pointless and way to rip me out of the story I'm already not that into... On a side note it'd be nice to know more about Heath he is pretty much a stranger. Does he go clubbing a lot? Isn't that expensive for a poor boy? He won't even eat out he's so poor but goes clubbing?

The way he thinks about guys is like he only wants Heath because he is there. Like any guy will do but since heath shares a room might as well go for heath. He has a boner and drew walks in and he's like too bad drew wont help with it. Yeah I don't like the mc he is boring and is still just rambling the same thoughts over and over again.

Why does he want Heath now? All he started noticing was that he is hot and has a nice smile. But it's not like Heath is nice to him since he is such a slut.

After the reader has no idea who Heath is or Anything about him or where he goes/ what he does when he dresses up and leaves all day. Then randomly he wakes mc up by handcuffing him to bed to have the longest most drawn out sex scene ever? Like really? And such a long scene, I don't like long sex scenes. Especially when I don't feel any connection between the characters and the scene seems so random and out of character. Though we don't really know Heath so maybe this is in character for him? It's nice that he has no concern for the Mcs sprained ankle though. That's really sweet.

I don't get why heaths middle name being William is significant

I'm not sure why this was third person since we never got heaths pov?

And then wow sex (kind of sex anyway) one time and all of the sudden everything flowery and fine between them. Yeah okay. There was nothing in this for me to believe they belong together or will even stay together.

At least it's free.

[Elizabetta · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick freebie from the M/M Romance group's 2012 Love is Always Write series. Heath and Fleury are roommates at college and rivals on the track team. Fleury (a sweet boy with French connections and lots of self confidence: fleur = flower in French) is popular and proudly out and has a special interest in the moody and secretive Heath, a wolf in sheep's clothing if there ever was one. The Harry Potter references are entertaining and the ending is erotically charged. I would love to see a more drawn out sequel with these two.

[Wendy❤Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think the teasing tone was one of my favorite aspects of this story. The whole “Fleury/Flower” taunt just made me crack a smile each and every time and the edging scenes were wonderfully wicked. I was also very impressed with Drew’s character. He was one helluva great friend – the kind that anyone would call themselves lucky to have! I laughed at the witty dialogue and innuendos – those that were spoken as well as those that were in thought only. A wonderful story and I really enjoyed it!!

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Realllllllly Really enjoyed this one. I had a few things that I thought could have been better - the tension in the middle was a tad to long. I kind of felt like slapping them and saying figure it out all ready. I also thought the ending was a little odd, I dont know if this was a true romance. Yes they are going to stay together for the next few months but what about next year???

The characterisation and setting was the most interesting factors in this story and it gets a solid 4 stars from me.

[Ayanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was just creepy and weird. I couldn't see the connection between the characters at all, really, and Heath comes across as a passive-aggressive, self-absorbed, self-entitled, abusive asshole.

Actually, none of the characters really seemed to make sense to me. It's like they did stuff because they were told to with no real idea why they were being told to do those things either, but that didn't stop them from just going along with whatever they were told to do.

[Kendra T · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this. Fleury was such a great character. I loved his caring nature, despite bad history with Heath. Great story. I would love to see more of these guys to see what happens with them after Heath goes back to school.

[Menna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well,that was a funny smutty novella....nothing deep there!
I enjoyed it....it was a little refreshing!

[Jordie.R · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it!

[⚓Dan⚓ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this story. Thank you for giving us a great free read!

[Helen Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story. Would like to know more of their background and the rest of their story.

[Mary Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story. a little bit predictable when it comes to Heath's problems but i don't mind. It was really cool. and i wouldn't mind being called Flower. not at all:)

[Lila Hunter · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 out of 5

A nice story, but the MCs are a little too good to be true.

[La*La · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super cute! Loved all the Harry Potter references, too)

[Julesmarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was great fun! Hot athletes, rivals-to-lovers theme, and hilariously-toned Harry Potter references... what could be better?

I actually really did like the development of the relationship between Fleury and Heath, and I think Fleury got rather a bad rap by some other reviewers. I don't think that liking to look at hot men qualifies him as a slut. To me there was a difference in the way Fleury looked at guys like Drew (TOTALLY loved him, btw!) and the way he looked at (and thought about) Heath. And it was fun watching them go from stolen glances to innuendo to outright provoking.

I also really liked Fleury's voice. I thought he had just the right balance of snark and sincerity.

I do wish I could have gotten to know Heath a little more, though. Even at the end when he tells Fleury a little more about his family situation, I still feel like so much of him is a mystery still.

One of my favorite things: the Fleur/Bill reference at the end. It might be silly, but connecting the two couples like that brings this up from feeling like a HFN and gives me hope these two will make it long-term.

3.5 stars, rounded up for being free.

[Ami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fleury de la Coeur and Heath Drake are rivals on track, and not completely best friends either, even if they're roommates. However, after a semester abroad, Fleury notices something different with Heath. There are glances and gossips (that Heath is bi) ... could this be a sign for something more?

...

This story is cheeky and fun of rivals-turn-lovers theme. Written solely in 1st person, Fleury's narration is charming and witty, which contributes to the pace going quickly. I also think the 'voice' of teenagers and their hormones are aptly portrayed (without being totally annoying). Aside from Fleury, his best friend Drew, is another wonderful character in this story.

AND OMG, Chapter 5 alone!! It gets me all tingled from toes all the way up to my head. It's probably one of the most sensual and HOT scenes involving handcuffs ... without bordering to Dom/sub, that I've read in quite awhile.

PS: For those loving Harry Potter, there are a number of references here. Try to see if you get them before checking Adara's answers on the thread :). Smart!

[Penumbra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story. The banter was good between the characters and so was the tension. I did have a bit of trouble with the writing at the beginning of the story. It seemed a little stiff or stilted, but it smoothed out as the story went along.

I enjoyed the Harry Potter references in regards to Fleury's name.

The sex at the end was super hot! Heath definitely has a Dom personality and Fleury seemed to enjoy it. I wish the story was a HEA but looks like it's just a HFN story unless the author continues on with it at a later date.

[Bettye Kanady · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this story! I loved the tension between Heath and Fleury. I liked the zings back and forth between the two, and I especially liked it when things got hot and sweaty! They were runners... the sweat was a given. I'm fond of the whole rival-turned-lovers idea. This is actually something I just realized. There is such a fight between "CJ and Flower" that you can see the sex shimmers from like miles away. Great job! The story is a quick one, but absolutely entertaining. I think I will have to mark this as one of my faves.

[Raevyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet story that had me laughing often.

Fleury and Heath were great together, even when they were fighting. I found lots of humor in their bantering. It was nice to see that even though they fought they still cared for each other before they become lovers. And when they became lovers, they were HOT.

The only thing I would change is the end... I wanted an HEA but at least there was an HFN.

[Miriki · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing is okay, although the sex was a bit awkward IMO.

[Arthur · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's nice, but I just have hard time imagining the white-hair skinny guy in the picture as Fleury. Too skinny, IMO, even for a runner.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 - Great story. Thank you Adara O’Hare, for donating your time and talent.

[Dina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good story. I really enjoyed it.