Opposites Distract

Chapter One

“Can we get out of here?” Pryce moaned as he slumped into one of the couches set up around the lobby of the local GBLT center.

He threw an arm dramatically over his face as he faked his best woe-is-me pose. Other than one catcall, all his efforts received exactly zero response. Huffing out a sigh, he tried again, this time letting out a whimpered, “Please?”

“In just a few minutes,” Lee replied, barely glancing in Pryce’s direction.

Pryce sat up with a scowl. He should have known no amount of pouting or whining would get him out of this errand. Since they’d been friends since grade school, Lee was immune to all of Pryce’s tricks of persuasion. Worse even, they tended to annoy the other man.
“By then this place will have bored me to death.” Pryce flicked a dismissive glance at the numerous meeting rooms, art deco sculptures, and inspirational posters.

He really didn’t have anything against the center. Even a self-centered prince like him knew that the place did a lot of good for the community. It was just he didn’t want to be stuck there when there was so much fun to be had at other places. Everybody at the center was focused on causes, charities, group, blah, blah, blah… Nobody there seemed to have any interest in doing anything exciting or daring.

Now it would seem that even Lee had jumped on the let’s-make-the-world-a-better-place bandwagon. Jeez, didn’t anyone want to have fun anymore?

Pryce glanced down at his outfit. He’d worn his best, tightest jeans and favorite red silk shirt, and it felt like a total waste. Nobody other than the one catcaller seemed to notice him. Not even Lee was getting any second glances and his friend looked damn good, his dark hair meshing perfectly with his dark blue t-shirt and black pants.

“You’re doing this to punish me for posting that ugly picture of you on Facebook, aren’t you?” Pryce accused.

Lee rolled his eyes. “Will you stop bitching? Not every moment of your life has to be a party.”

“Hey, that’s not fair. You act like I’m some loser who can’t keep a job and still lives in his parents’ basement,” Pryce protested, hurt that his friend thought so little of him.

He knew that he may come off as shallow and a bit over the top at times, but that didn’t mean he was a total fuck up. He went to college full-time, plus worked as a pharmacy tech at one of the bigger Ohio hospitals. It’s just when he had some time off, he wanted to have fun.

“I know you’re not a loser, Pryce. However, you have to admit that everyone has to grow up eventually. Even you.”

Pryce waved his hands at a group of young men who were filtering out of a conference room. “If that means I have to be boring and a bad dresser like them, then you can forget it. I’d rather have fun at Ravens and be juvenile.”

“I’m sure Ravens can do without your presence for a little longer, “ Lee drawled. “Now, can you sit there and be good while I drop this paperwork off to the youth center? It’s just downstairs so it shouldn’t take me long.”

“Yes, I can behave myself. I even promise not to chew on the furniture or piddle on the rug.”

Lee shot him one more withering glare before he left. Pryce slumped back on the couch with another heavy sigh. He plucked at a stray thread on his shirt as he worried over Lee’s comments.

Maybe he did have a point and Pryce needed to take things more seriously. It’s just that his job could be so stressful at times that Pryce needed to unwind, and the best way to do it was drinking, dancing, and meeting guys.

The group of do-gooders was getting louder as they drew closer to Pryce. He lifted his eyes to shoot off a dirty look. And that’s when it happened…his gaze settled on the man that he never imagined could be of his dreams.

Appearing around twenty, with dark hair that was slightly spiked in the front, the guy was exactly the type that Pryce didn’t fall for. From his slightly baggy jeans to his dark-blue hoodie, Mr. I’m A Good Boy didn’t look like he’d know a party if it came up and smacked him on the face. Yet that still didn’t stop Pryce from wanting to get to know the man in every way possible.

“Hello, and who might you be?” Pryce muttered to himself, as his body hummed with excitement.

Now that was a community cause he could get into.

The mystery guy seemed oblivious to the fact that he was playing front and center to Pryce’s lustful thoughts. The man didn’t glance around as he continued to talk to his buddies, his rich voice making Pryce shiver with appreciation.

“Come on, look over this way,” Pryce whispered.

However, the guy insisted on being stubborn. He kept his attention focused on his conversation. Pryce let out a growl of frustration. He didn’t want to resort to making a spectacle of himself by waving his arms and calling out a whoo-hoo, but it was beginning to look as if he might have to do that. Then, just as he was about to give up all hope, the man waved to his buddies and headed for the bathroom.

Pryce felt a triumphant grin spread over his face. Yes! He had the mystery man right where he wanted him. Alone and ready to be snapped up. Pryce stood, smoothed out the wrinkles in his shirt, and made his way to the bathroom.

He figured it would take him three to five minutes tops before he had his target. He’d never failed to get someone once he wanted them, and he had no doubt this time wouldn’t be different.