We're Not Fighting

by J.M. Snyder

Jack knows he’s a flirt. He’s a hit with the ladies -- and men -- but it means nothing to him because he’s with Aiden. They’ve been together in a committed relationship for years now, and in Jack’s mind, no one else matters. So when a new girl in the office named Leslie flirts back, Jack thinks nothing of it.

Aiden, on the other hand, is pissed.

The worse part is Jack won’t tell Leslie he’s with someone. He doesn’t think he has to. Soon the tension between the two men starts to wear them down. Jack just wants the whole thing to blow over, but it looks like Aiden’s about to blow up.

When Jack finally says something to Leslie, will it be too late to satisfy Aiden?

Genres: M M Romance, Contemporary, Short Stories, M M Contemporary

14 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 11, 2012

About the author

An author of gay erotic/romantic fiction, J.M. Snyder began in self-publishing and worked with Amber Allure, Aspen Mountain, eXcessica, and Torquere Presses.

Snyder's highly erotic short gay fiction has been published online at Amazon Shorts, Eros Monthly, Ruthie's Club, and Tit-Elation, as well as in anthologies by Alyson Books, Aspen Mountain, Cleis Press, eXcessica Publishing, Lethe Press, and Ravenous Romance.

In 2010, Snyder founded JMS Books LLC, a royalty-paying queer small press that publishes in both electronic and print format. For more information on newest releases and submission guidelines, please visit JMS Books LLC online.

Reviews

[Ro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack is a flirt, plain and simple. He enjoys the attention of people, and enjoys the give and take. This is not to say that he isn’t 100% committed to his partner (and coworker), Aiden, because he is. Jack’s philosophy is “You can look but you can’t touch. That was all there was too it”. The problem with his philosophy is Aiden has to bear witness to the flirting, which Jack considers nothing (he figures especially with the new office girl – she’s a GIRL. Wrong parts for him). But it’s hurting Aiden. What will Jack do?

This story just hit the right notes for me. I can picture Jack thinking it’s harmless, it’s nothing, he’s not doing anything wrong. Really? He isn’t. But I can also see Aiden’s side, that it’s hurtful. There is a part at the end, my lord, I wanted to just scoop him up and hug him tight. This is a sweet story about perception and love. They are such a good couple.

[Mandy*reads obsessively* · Rating 2 out of 5]

The MC is a jerk, he admits he flirts to get ahead and be successful, his lover works in the same office and sees this day in and day out, but finally things become too much when Leslie a new lady at work starts hitting on him!
His boyfriend tells him repeatedly that it bothers him, to tell her to stop, and all the MC says is ' she's just being nice'!
The MC has never said ' I love you' to his partner in front of anyone and he doesn't tell anyone at work they are together, no wonder everyone is hitting in him! She's calling him on his cell phone and he still doesn't tell her who he's in a relationship with. He is hurting the person he supposedly loves and knows it, but since he doesn't see the problem, there must be one!
At the end he grovels a bit, but it just doesn't make up for being such an asshat!
And the other one, for putting up with all that crap for so long!

[Susan65 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am so disappointed. I was so looking forward to this story, i loved the blurb but all you get is 14 pages of an idea. I feel cheated and wish that it was made known up front that you are not actually buying a story.

[Deeze · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this, but it was far too short.

Aiden was a bit too sulky for me, and Jack I could forgive his flirting, but why did no one else in the office know of his relationship to Aiden? But my main niggle was I didn’t get to see the Bitch get put in her place lol.

[Candice · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was not bad, but this was so short that there really isn't much you can say about it.

[Pete W · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was an ok read but left me feeling like it was a half-done story. In the end, Jack *still* didn't get to say 'I love you' to Aiden in office or in public. And really, they have been together for 15 years and somehow it seemed like the whole office didn't realize they were a couple? If that's the case then Aiden had every rights to be pissed.

And on further reflection, why would Jack not also flirt with his boyfriend instead of random office staffs. I guess that's what make the story.

Jack only care that he felt it was nothing and disregard Aiden's feeling that he was not ok with it.

[Sadonna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like these two guys. Jack and Aiden are a good couple and I'd like to see more of them.

[Query · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quintessential telling, not showing.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun short read.

[Simone · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 stars