Boy Next Door Series by Heather Mar-Gerrison, selfpubbookcovers/ BeeJavier, selfpubbookcovers Shardel, Selfpubbookcovers/ TerriGostolaPhotography, Selfpubbookcovers/BKWright, Selfpubbookcovers/ FantasyArt, selfpubbookcovers/ FrinaArt

I stared at him. His mouth was moving – which was a total turn on, by the way – but the words he was saying wouldn’t process in my confused brain. What the hell was he talking about? He couldn’t have found the one – because I was the one… “He’s totally awesome, dude – I know this is the real thing.” Paris’s eyes were shining and his smile was enough to make me want to cry... moreI stared at him. His mouth was moving – which was a total turn on, by the way – but the words he was saying wouldn’t process in my confused brain. What the hell was he talking about? He couldn’t have found the one – because I was the one… “He’s totally awesome, dude – I know this is the real thing.” Paris’s eyes were shining and his smile was enough to make me want to cry. I nodded, forcing myself to smile along with him – he was so totally stoked about the whole thing I couldn’t show my disappointment – hell, never mind disappointment – this was totally heartbreaking… “The real thing, huh?” I asked and I was grateful that my voice didn’t wobble, showing how upset I was about this new episode. “Wow – that’s amazing.” He nodded, “I know, right?” he laughed, “And I want to be everything he needs me to be – that’s kind of where you come in…” he blushed bright red. I frowned; did I miss something? “What are you on about?” He looked up at me through his eyelashes – something he’d done since we were kids and I’d always been putty in his hands when he did that, “Could you, like, teach me…?” he trailed off, going an even deeper shade of red. My heart started to beat a little faster. “Teach you?” I faltered. Surely that didn’t mean what I thought it meant, “Teach you what?” He shrugged helplessly, “Everything.” He muttered, “I’ve never…” My heart started to thump out of my chest. Paris was asking me to teach him how to be a good lover? Holy shit. I nodded. Wiping my hands down my face, I found myself, against my better judgment, agreeing to be his teacher… This was going to end in tears – and they’d undoubtedly be mine but this was also my only chance to show him what he was missing in me. Maybe he really was in love with this wonderful guy he’d met. Only time would tell but I was not going down without a fight… less

I rolled my eyes. I heard this sort of crap at least five times a day. Snap chats sent to me of Ben and I together with little captions, “Couple in the making” and all sorts of other shit. We were mates. End of. I didn’t see him as boyfriend material (well, I totally did but it was never gonna happen) and he’d fancied the pants off one of our other (female) friends for months so it was totally futile ever thinking anything would ever happen... moreI rolled my eyes. I heard this sort of crap at least five times a day. Snap chats sent to me of Ben and I together with little captions, “Couple in the making” and all sorts of other shit. We were mates. End of. I didn’t see him as boyfriend material (well, I totally did but it was never gonna happen) and he’d fancied the pants off one of our other (female) friends for months so it was totally futile ever thinking anything would ever happen. He was all set to ask her to the final prom but somehow or other, even though I’d primed her (see what a good friend I was?) and assured her he was definitely going to ask her, she ended up getting all antsy at how long he was taking to ask her and she agreed to go with Lewis Jones instead. Lewis Jones? How insulting – I think I was more offended than Ben… And, well good luck there, girl… no one could love Lewis Jones any more than he loved himself. Ben and I had been friends for years – just friends and for the main part, we were perfectly happy the way things were, thank you very much… Well, I assumed that Ben was anyway. “No – we wouldn’t.” I said with about as much patience as I could muster. I hated this time of year when there were more wet breaks than dry and everyone congregated in the common room. This latest onslaught had been going on for a fair few hours now, on and off, and I was really beginning to get pissed off. I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that Ben and I made the perfect couple – because we’d been the perfect couple for as long as I could remember – we just weren’t romantically involved – well, apart from a couple of random ‘moments’ anyway… The first being the day we got married when we were six and I, being the bride, made damned sure I got my kiss… I’ll get around to the second time a little later because at that moment Ben appeared, “’S’up guys?” he grinned. I felt happier almost immediately, “These guys are all crazy.” I said, “They’ve been trying to fix us up – can you believe that?” Please say you can… please say that Paris’s birthday party wasn’t just a drunken mistake… less

I stared at Dad with my mouth open, horror-struck. Gabriel Stewart was the captain of Springfield Academy’s football team and had been the object of my desire forever... Gabriel Stewart was my new step-brother…? “His name’s Gabriel,” Dad said unnecessarily, since I was already having a meltdown over the whole thing. My heart started to thump so hard I could feel it in my ears, “Gabriel Stewart.” I managed to murmur faintly... moreI stared at Dad with my mouth open, horror-struck. Gabriel Stewart was the captain of Springfield Academy’s football team and had been the object of my desire forever... Gabriel Stewart was my new step-brother…? “His name’s Gabriel,” Dad said unnecessarily, since I was already having a meltdown over the whole thing. My heart started to thump so hard I could feel it in my ears, “Gabriel Stewart.” I managed to murmur faintly. This is the third book in the Boys Next Door series, with a decent helping of adorable guys, a little drama and just enough naughty to bits to keep you turning the pages... less

Brooklyn was getting married to his childhood sweetheart Sandy… I had mixed feelings about it – Brooklyn was my brother’s best friend and I’d always had a bit of a crush on him – but he was three years older than me and therefore kind of out of my league – particularly with my brother breathing down his neck… Oh, and there was the small fact that he was also straight... moreBrooklyn was getting married to his childhood sweetheart Sandy… I had mixed feelings about it – Brooklyn was my brother’s best friend and I’d always had a bit of a crush on him – but he was three years older than me and therefore kind of out of my league – particularly with my brother breathing down his neck… Oh, and there was the small fact that he was also straight. We’d always got on really well though – and there was that kiss in the garden on my brother’s eighteenth birthday… I’ll never forget that – it gave me hope that maybe he wasn’t as straight as he thought he was. Anyway, of course I was invited – since my brother was to be the best man and I was, on the one hand, delighted to go – to share in the best day of his life – even if it was up there with the worst days of mine – Nana’s funeral… fluffy getting run over… Yes, I was in love with the groom; had been since I was thirteen and he was first brought round by my big brother after they met at college. This guy had been the man of my dreams since then and I knew I’d be in love with him forever – and he was marrying someone else… bummer huh? less

I fished out my mobile and scrolled through the contacts until I found the one person who would be able to sort my head out… My nearest and dearest cousin, Madison. “Well, hello gorgeous.” Came his almost immediate response to his phone ringing. “I need you. I need coffee and I need chocolate.” I blurted out desperately. “Mm-hmm... moreI fished out my mobile and scrolled through the contacts until I found the one person who would be able to sort my head out… My nearest and dearest cousin, Madison. “Well, hello gorgeous.” Came his almost immediate response to his phone ringing. “I need you. I need coffee and I need chocolate.” I blurted out desperately. “Mm-hmm.” I could see him in my mind’s eye nodding and stroking his chin thoughtfully, “Do you also need a big fluffy pillow, a foot massage and a box set of Ugly Betty?” “Yes.” I wailed down the phone. He chuckled, “Come on over, I’ll put the kettle on.” I knocked on his door and he immediately answered, gathering me in and fussing over me, “Oh, babe.” He said, “You look so stressed out – what’s the matter?” I allowed him to usher me through to the kitchen and I pulled out one of the chairs at the large kitchen table which dominated the room, “Oh, God.” I put my head in my hands and groaned. Madison came hurrying back across the room, armed with two hot chocolates – with extra marshmallows on mine to give me a boost – and sat down opposite me, “You’re freaking me out now, babe,” he said, “What is it?” I shook my head and looked up at him, “I may have a crush – on someone I have no business having a crush on.” His eyes almost popped out of his head, “A girl?” he asked incredulously. I nearly spat my chocolate across the table, “No!” I spluttered, “Don’t be ridiculous!” He grinned, “Well, who then?” “Lachlan O’Shea.” I breathed, “He’s gorgeous." Without You is number five in the Boys Next Door series, with the usual helping of adorable guys, a little drama and just enough naughty bits to keep you turning the pages... less

I blamed my parents. What sort of a name was Angel for a guy anyway? They’d set my future in stone with that decision. And no. I wasn’t gay... I just liked guys, that’s all. I liked the way they looked. I liked their bodies... It didn’t make me gay. “You coming, Angel?” I looked up. Harry, Justin and Brad were stood looking at me with perfectly matching frowns on their faces. I shook myself and nodded. Shit. I really had to stop zoning out every time we came to watch the ice hockey... moreI blamed my parents. What sort of a name was Angel for a guy anyway? They’d set my future in stone with that decision. And no. I wasn’t gay... I just liked guys, that’s all. I liked the way they looked. I liked their bodies... It didn’t make me gay. “You coming, Angel?” I looked up. Harry, Justin and Brad were stood looking at me with perfectly matching frowns on their faces. I shook myself and nodded. Shit. I really had to stop zoning out every time we came to watch the ice hockey. “Sure, sure.” I said as I gathered my belonging and followed them out to the foyer. Harry grinned at me, “Lusting after the captain again, huh?” he asked quietly. I snorted rudely, “Sod off,” I hissed at him, “I told you I found him attractive in confidence.” He nodded, “I know you did – I haven’t told either of those two – chill out.” I sighed, “I’m not gay.” I said. I was beginning to sound like a broken record... “Sure, sure.” He nodded, “I never said you were, mate – but you might want to consider the possibility that you’re bi-sexual if it’s less abhorrent to you, but you know, we are in 2016. It’s no great surprise to people anymore when guys come out – sooner or later no one will have to come out. It’ll just be normal – because it is normal, Angel. Anyone who says otherwise is just ignorant.” I nodded. I did know that – and I was sure I wasn’t homophobic... not really.... “Yeah, maybe.” I acknowledged. “But I really do love Kayleigh...” Kayleigh was my girlfriend and I did, I really loved her. We’d been best friends since we met in school when we were twelve. We’d decided to give being a couple a go at the end of school when we went to prom together and ended up kissing. It was great kissing her and feeling her up. She was all soft and lovely and it felt safe and nice... Yeah. I know, don’t roll your eyes at me, I do realise that’s not really enough... Harry scratched his neck and looked at me with a slight frown. “Have you guys, you know... done it, yet?” What sort of a question was that? I raised an eyebrow, “And that’s your business because?” I asked. Harry blushed, “God, sorry – yeah – you’re right, it really is none of my business...” I sighed. I knew he was only concerned about me. He was a great friend really. “No.” I said quietly, “We haven’t. We uh, we want to wait until it feels right.” Harry nodded, his face grave, “Let me give you a tip.” He said, “If you were really into her like that – it would already feel right. Your problem is that you’ve chosen the wrong team, mate – you’re into guys – whether you like it or not.” Oh, shit. Why did Harry always have to voice my worst fears...? less

Taylor and I have been friends for a long time – growing up next door to each and all – but we ruined it all by making the mistake of having a drunken ‘moment’ when we were at the 6th form prom – followed by me virtually running away and then almost immediately starting to date Greg Morton... moreTaylor and I have been friends for a long time – growing up next door to each and all – but we ruined it all by making the mistake of having a drunken ‘moment’ when we were at the 6th form prom – followed by me virtually running away and then almost immediately starting to date Greg Morton. It was all my fault, I can’t deny it – I shouldn’t have kissed Taylor – and I really shouldn’t have run away from him when he asked me what I was doing – and of course I shouldn’t have ever dated Greg… I told myself at the time that Taylor would be okay and he wouldn’t care – but I was so wrong – he took it all really badly and we hadn’t really spoken since. My dilemma now though, was that my grandma – who loves Taylor to pieces and was delighted beyond all reason when, in a moment of utter madness, I told her we were a couple – still thinks we’re together and now that she’s had a fall and become incapable of living alone – I can’t lie to her about him anymore – because she’s coming to live with us… I could have been honest – hell, I should have been honest about the whole thing but call me stupid – many do – I lied. I backed myself into a corner and now I had to go crawling to Taylor to ask him this massive favour… less

I ordered my drink and sat back in the bar stool watching the bubbles rising to the top of the glass. I rarely drank. Rarely got a day off if I’m honest – but you don’t turn twenty-one every day and so I’d gotten a whole weekend off. My attention was caught by one of the barmen. He was talking about one of the dancers but then the guy he was talking to mentioned a name.. moreI ordered my drink and sat back in the bar stool watching the bubbles rising to the top of the glass. I rarely drank. Rarely got a day off if I’m honest – but you don’t turn twenty-one every day and so I’d gotten a whole weekend off. My attention was caught by one of the barmen. He was talking about one of the dancers but then the guy he was talking to mentioned a name... “Did you know Leo could dance like that?” I heard the guy next to me at the bar ask his co-worker and a tingling sensation went through me from my head to my toes, “Would you look at that. I thought he was training to be a chef at that fancy restaurant in Stoney Croft – not to be a pole-dancer.” “Oh, wow.” The other one breathed, “I thought he was into motor sport, I had no idea he could move like that.” He was quite clearly admiring what he was seeing. I frowned. Leo? Okay so there had to be more than one Leo on the planet, but put together with the rest – being a chef at the only restaurant in Stoney Croft? And being into motorsport? Well, it was just too much of a coincidence. I turned around slowly and followed the line of sight that the guys behind the bar were looking – with their tongues hanging out of their mouths. My stomach nearly dropped through my arse, “Oh, holy hell.” I breathed as I took in the writhing sexy body wrapped around the pole on the central podium, “Leo...” Brad leaned across and whispered in my ear, “So, what about him?” he nodded towards Leo, “wanna spend the night dancing with him?” he asked. I didn’t have to even think about it, “Definitely.” I said, “I don’t want anyone else.” I never have... less

I could hear someone singing softly on the next aisle from where I was stood. He seemed to only be singing the verses to the song – as if he wanted someone to chime in with the chorus... well, I was happy to oblige. I waited until he came to the end of the next line and then I started to softly sing the chorus. I stopped and waited to see if he’d continue the song. He did. This was kind of fun. I pulled out a book and peered through the bookshelf... moreI could hear someone singing softly on the next aisle from where I was stood. He seemed to only be singing the verses to the song – as if he wanted someone to chime in with the chorus... well, I was happy to oblige. I waited until he came to the end of the next line and then I started to softly sing the chorus. I stopped and waited to see if he’d continue the song. He did. This was kind of fun. I pulled out a book and peered through the bookshelf. My eyes almost popped out of my head when I found myself eye-to-eye with Jules.... Mum always reckoned that if she could stop singing and someone carried on the song – they were totally in tune with you – like you had a connection... and I was pretty damned sure I had a connection with Jules... Making him see that while he was still nursing a broken heart was gonna be a challenge... I could see that but I was also willing to give it a go... I still wasn’t sure if I was in love with Jules – or in love with the idea of being in love with Jules – and I guess I was never gonna find out unless I took the bull by the horns and asked him out. “Hi,” I said, “What are you doing in here?” He raised an eyebrow, “Why shouldn’t I be in here?’ he asked, “I like poetry.” It was my turn to raise an eyebrow, “Poetry?” He nodded, “Why, what’s on your side?” I looked at the shelves. I hadn’t really been taking much notice – I’d followed the sound of his beautiful voice if I was gonna be completely honest. “Motorcross and uh, BMXing.” He nodded, “Wow.” He said, “You’re into that?” I swallowed hard and shook my head, “Not really.” I admitted with my heart slamming against my ribs painfully, “But I’m into you.” less