Dire Straights by L.A. Lambert

Maddox – As a freshman at BBU, I have my pick of parties and girls, but I still feel pretty stressed and unfulfilled. I can’t stand my moronic teammates on the swim team, and devoting so much of my time to swimming is starting to take a toll on me. I’m over everything, until I get paired with this socially awkward dweeb named Ren Suzuki in one of my classes. He follows me around like a puppy and wants to show me off to his weird friends. I feel protective over him, like I’d fight anyone who looks at him wrong, but I don’t like guys that way. But then why do I feel jealous when he talks to other people? And why do I want to spend all my time with him?

Ren – It’s hard for me to believe that someone like Maddox Holmes likes hanging out with me. He’s cool and athletic and looks like one of those male models on a magazine cover. Jocks have never been nice to me, but I know right away that he’s different. I’ve never liked a guy before, but I can’t help but develop a crush on someone like him. And even though my evil ex-girlfriend drilled it into my head that I’m too weird and annoying for anyone to like, I’m pretty sure he’s starting to feel the same way. Does he like me enough to make this a real thing, even if coming out as bi will make everything harder for him?