Exclusive Excerpt from Coming Together

by S.L. Danielson

The morning ending the way it did had Sam’s mind reeling. The call from Amber nearly demanding that they meet up was less than nice. He knew his best friend had a temper, but that was no reason to just bitch at him!

He’d fulfilled his promise to Brett and after hanging up with Amber and agreeing on a time, he took Brett back to bed and finished what they’d started, but only after turning off the phone. Hell no, he wasn’t gonna be interrupted again like he had been earlier. It was all too risky.

Chad had texted of course, and when Sam said goodbye to Brett for the morning, he checked it at last. It was info on a meet ‘n’ greet at some ice convention that would be happening tomorrow.

Sam groaned. “Shit.” He didn’t like being dragged all over town and shaking lord knows how many hands. He loved the money and he certainly liked some of the fame, but this was getting ridiculous; even for him.

But of course, he had to admit, he liked a lot of it too. Winning the gold medal had been a life’s work come to fruition and his parents had never been happier with him; or he with himself. But the immediacy of the fame it brought on was overwhelming. Dammit, he hated doing this to Brett, but things were going right, at least as far as bringing in money for them to get their own place. Plus, he would pay his parents back for all the years of training and scraping by in order for him to do this. He owed them most of all.

He didn’t expect his friends to understand it; from what he’d heard, most famous athletes took the money and ran with it, building massive houses and buying fancy cars, and their lovers were usually right there by their side; but it wasn’t working out that way so far.

Brett and Amber just seemed to be pissed at him all the time, well almost all of it. At least for the few sweet hours he slept in his boyfriend’s arms, things were blissful and quiet and happy. 

“Dammit, why did I pick up the fucking phone?” Sam chastised himself as he got in his car and drove home. He had to get ready for this latest event; even though it was tomorrow. Chad wanted to take him on a tour first. Of course he did. Chad always wanted to take him places. He was his new best friend, right?

He should’ve known immediately that he wasn’t; Amber was. But the way he felt right now, she was close to being punted from that position.

As soon as he shut the car door and started walking towards his front door, Sam turned and saw Amber pulling up in the driveway, a very angry look in her eyes.

“Oh, shit.” Sam pushed his way inside, not waiting for his friend. He wanted to lock the door; but he knew she wouldn’t go away. So, he waited.

“Samuru. You are home early,” his mother commented.

“Yes, mama.” He barely turned his head to acknowledge her; keeping his focus on restraining Amber. “I have company here; Amber.” That’s all he wanted to tell them. No need to go into details. They were strictly on a need to know basis at this point.

He waited for Amber to come up to the door and she fairly snarled at him.

“You little…” she stopped when she saw his parents sitting there. “Good day to you, Mr. and Mrs. Ogawa.”

“Amber. Come inside. It has been a long time.”

Crap, no! Don’t let her stay. Not now, Sam moaned on the inside. He grabbed his friend’s hand and tugged her towards his room. “We have things to discuss, mama. We’ll be out later.” He made his best ‘it’s all good, mom’ face and hustled them down the hallway to his room and shut the door. He saw there was a piece of mail on his desk; he opened it but didn’t read it. He never had much of a chance with Amber hot on his heels.

“How dare you!” she started, her small but stinging hands poised and ready to strike him. “You’ve become a complete nightmare, you know that? I have half a mind to tell Brett that he’s better off staying away from you until you come back down to earth!”

Sam panicked and knew he was in deep, but he still believed deep in his soul that he could fix things if he just tried hard enough. He flopped down on the bed and tried to keep calm.

“Dammit, Amber….” He struggled for words. Tears came easier than anger for him; but at the moment the two were in too much of a blood feud for either to appear with much desire. He moaned and watched his friend sit beside him.

“I know, I know. Sammy, you’re killin’ me and Brett. You’re being the biggest brat on the planet and all I want to do lately is just shake you to death! What has this Chad bastard been filling your head with?” She leaned over him and looked like she’d slap him at any second.

About Coming Together

Sexy sparks fly when four best friends become roommates… and more

With Olympic Gold in his possession, Sam is the newest darling of the skating world. Brett does his best to be supportive but the brighter the light shines on his boyfriend; the more he is left in the shadows. Cracks appear and the relationship begins to break down.

Their friends try their best to assist however they can. Their advice and support is crucial when Brett suspects Sam’s creepy agent is up to no good; and even more so when a dastardly plot by Sam’s own father is uncovered.

Can this couple finally come to terms with fame and find the peace they crave? An offer by Ryan and Caleb might provide the answers they seek…if they’re brave enough to take a leap of faith.

Is it too late for Brett and his precious Ice Fairy or can they come together?

Available at: Amazon

About Author

S.L. (Stephanie) Danielson began writing at the tender age of five. She knew it was her calling from the moment she put pen to paper. In her teens she began writing alternative works and the genre stuck. She created ever more elaborate tales and finally in her early 20’s years began to create works with her new love; male/male romance. She has since written more than 30 works (both solo and collaborations).

Stephanie is classically trained in business, accounting, and HR/training, possessing both an undergrad and graduate degree. She also owned and operated Romance First Publishing where the ultimate goal was to help other unknown, as well as known authors get their start in the publishing world.

Beyond writing, her other hobbies include: painting, gaming, and spending time with her husband and two cherished cats.

Find out more about Stephanie on her Blog/Website, Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest.