About The Name
Written by Willa Okati
115 pages / 45600 words
ISBN: 978-1-934166-76-5, 1-934166-76-6
Available file types - html, lit, pdf, prc, paperback
Seth's a gorgeous hunk of a cop, but off-limits to his roommate Clay, who's desperately trying to find a way to stop thinking about a man who's straight and dating Sophie, the bitchy, possessive, girlfriend from hell. When Seth decides to dump Sophie by pretending to be gay, it's Clay he turns to for help in his game of deception. And with Clay's friend Anthony pushing him into playing the dating game and helping Seth, Clay's relationship options suddenly go from zero to a full hand.
But there's still only one man for him, and as Seth begins to discover just what it's like walking the other side of the line, the two men begin to break all the rules.
Review
Kiernan Kelly, author of Riding Heartbreak Road, writes: Poor Clay. He’s tall, handsome, owner of a brand new six-pack, and totally alone. Disillusioned with dating, he’s lost patience with gay bars and the sharks that cruise them, and has no interest in the private parties where booze and drugs cloud good judgement, and has had some disappointing experiences with online dating services. He’s about to give up on ever finding someone.
His only saving grace is his good friend Anthony, a bundle of energy and sage advice who is determined that Clay get back on the dating horse, whether Clay wants to or not.
Anthony’s answer to Clay’s problem is speed dating, where men register through an online service, then meet in person for fifteen-minute speed dates. Unfortunately, the men aren’t quite what Clay’s looking for – because none of them are Seth, Clay’s friend and housemate. Clay harbors a secret love for Seth; a love that Clay knows will never be reciprocated – since Seth is as straight as a two-by-four.
Seth, meanwhile, has a few problems of his own. The most pressing of which is his girlfriend, a shrewish, spoiled, bigot of a woman. Looking to rid himself of her, Seth decides to pretend to be gay, and looks to Clay for instruction. Things get complicated quickly as Seth throws himself into the role and finds it a better fit than he’d ever imagined.
Willa Okata has done it again. In The Name of the Game, we’re treated to characters that will wrap themselves around your heart and squeeze tight, not letting go until the very last page. The story will suck you right in and have you rooting for Clay while wanting to smack Seth upside the head until he sees the light. Moreover, The Name of the Game shows us that happily-ever-afters are not reserved solely for those under thirty. This book was fabulous – don’t miss it!
Sample
Okay, so, brain... you want to let me know just what the hell happened in there? Seth frowned to himself as he shut the bathroom door. Habit dictated that he leave it open, letting the steam billow out into the house and sending Clay into a hissy fit -- good old-fashioned teasing -- but just then, he wanted the thing closed.
Fact one: he'd just kissed a guy.
Fact two: the kiss-ee had been his housemate.
Fact two-B: his housemate was gay.
Fact three: he'd kind of li... whoa, there, brain. Retreat and regroup.
Seth juggled the figures around in his head a few times, but always came up with the same conclusion -- he was screwed. Aw, man. The idea had just been a way to get rid of Sophie, the Siren who was Sucking Out his Soul. He'd never intended it to go even this far on the physical level.
Why, then, had he gone and kissed Clay?
As kisses went, it hadn't been anything to write home about, barring the male factor. No, really, it wasn't, Seth insisted to himself. A nice kiss, sure. Dry but gentle, almost tender. Not the wet, squishy smack he'd planned on, or the backup dry peck he'd had as a contingency plan. It'd been a regular smooch, the kind he'd have given a... good friend. Who happened to be male. Who happened to be gay.
Seth prided himself on being a decent guy. A clean-nosed cop, even if he did have to get down and play dirty in Undercover. He liked his pranks, and when a relationship was headed for the Dumpster he'd do what it took to get out with his skin intact, but he didn't lead people on.
More, he had two eyes in his head. He'd seen Clay watching him. Always from a distance, very politely, never closing the gap between them on the gay-straight equator. He'd always known that if his bread were buttered on that side, Clay would have made a move right away.
There'd always been that nice, safe distance, though... That was, until he went crashing through it, lips first, and threw everything out of whack.
I seriously don't know what was going on in my head at that moment, Seth admitted to himself. He just prayed Clay would take it in the spirit intended, like the advanced form of a handshake, and not read in any further meaning.