
Another Fine Mess
an anthology edited by Syd McGinley
Torquere Press
It seemed like a good idea at the time… Ever done something that
seemed like a bright idea at the time and lived to tell the tale?
That's the idea behind Another Fine Mess. Editor Syd McGinley has
gathered ten stories from some of Torquere's favorite authors to prove
that everyone has bad days, where getting into a mess is far easier
than getting out of one.
Whether they like to get into
trouble or ride to the rescue, the boys of Another Fine Mess will leave
you wanting more. Featuring authors Lee Benoit, Cassidy Ryan and Laney
Cairo, these stories will make you wonder how the guys will ever get
out of the messes they make, and thrill you when they do!
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Excerpt from "Unravel":
In twenty-five years, if I’ve learned anything, it’s to
never trust someone who says: ‘dude, cover for me’ while
running like his ass is on fire.
I really should have learned to say no at some point.
***
It was a normal day -- just like any other. I was working on a new set
of sketches, pretty certain that I had a cohesive jumble of ideas for
my latest collection. A full pot of coffee, a quiet niche in the
otherwise vacant dressing room. No assistants, no publicists, no diva
princesses bitching about this, that, or the other. Just a nice,
relaxing morning.
Until my assistant burst into the room.
Troy took one look at me, nestled safely in my little corner, and made
a beeline right for me. “Dude, I gotta make myself scarce. If
anyone asks, I -- fuck, I died or something.”
Before I could answer, he spun on his heel and ducked out the other door. What the hell?
A moment later, the first door opened again and a huge hulk of a man
scowled in my direction. “Where’d that little prick go? I
saw him come in here.”
“Uh -- ” I really, really did not want to get involved in
whatever trouble Troy’s dumb ass got himself into this time.
“Um, can I help you?”
The man looked me up and down, then smirked. “Who the hell are you? Only employees are allowed in here.”
I bit the inside of my lip to keep from smiling. This had to be Dan,
the new lighting guy. He was muscular, tall, and gruff as hell -- just
as Troy described him. So why the hell was Troy running from him? I
started to tell him who I was, but something about the way his muscles
tensed made me want to goad him, see how far I could push it. I
wondered which side of the fence he sat on, or if he’d be willing
to straddle it. Or me. I wasn’t picky.