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Man-to-Man Coverage #1
Man-to-Man Coverage
Dear Author,
These boys are two of America's most popular NFL heart throbs. They've been eyeing each other for months now. The sexual tension between them is so intense, they're shocked their teammates haven't noticed yet especially with their unconscious desire to touch as much as possible. They can't help but undress one another with their eyes but whenever they get into talking range they always end up taunting each other about who's the best quarterback and always end up pissing each other off.
Please, Author, tell me how these two get together and make a relationship work when they play for separate teams, live in separate states and work in a 'man's' industry where being gay is a career killer. How have they managed to hold back their desperate desire for each other when they're both possessive and jealous of anyone who touches the other and all they want to do is fuck like bunnies?
P.S. Contrary to my last sentence, I don't want this filled with lots of sex. I want to feel the sexual tension but with very minimal sex (sex would include anything that allows them to get off, FYI - handjobs, bjs, frotting, etc.). I would like a sweet but intense love story. No girl bits, cheating, menage, open relationship or too much talk of other sexual conquests. Unless they are boasting on the field. I would like banter, please, and lots of it. I wanna see them pissed off to the point they aren't sure whether to punch the other or kiss him.
*We all know who these guys are but names need to be changed to protect the innocent.*
Photo Description: Two brawny quarterbacks share a post-game moment on the field. They’re well-known adversaries, but is the tension between them simply rivalry...or is it something more?
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love is Always Write" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.
Download the story, read it online or find it in Love Is Always Write: Volume 6.
__________
Genre: contemporary
Tags: gay-for-you; first time; athlete; bromance; football; sports; opposites attract; enemies-to-lovers; frottage
Warnings: none
Word Count: 16,058
These boys are two of America's most popular NFL heart throbs. They've been eyeing each other for months now. The sexual tension between them is so intense, they're shocked their teammates haven't noticed yet especially with their unconscious desire to touch as much as possible. They can't help but undress one another with their eyes but whenever they get into talking range they always end up taunting each other about who's the best quarterback and always end up pissing each other off.
Please, Author, tell me how these two get together and make a relationship work when they play for separate teams, live in separate states and work in a 'man's' industry where being gay is a career killer. How have they managed to hold back their desperate desire for each other when they're both possessive and jealous of anyone who touches the other and all they want to do is fuck like bunnies?
P.S. Contrary to my last sentence, I don't want this filled with lots of sex. I want to feel the sexual tension but with very minimal sex (sex would include anything that allows them to get off, FYI - handjobs, bjs, frotting, etc.). I would like a sweet but intense love story. No girl bits, cheating, menage, open relationship or too much talk of other sexual conquests. Unless they are boasting on the field. I would like banter, please, and lots of it. I wanna see them pissed off to the point they aren't sure whether to punch the other or kiss him.
*We all know who these guys are but names need to be changed to protect the innocent.*
Photo Description: Two brawny quarterbacks share a post-game moment on the field. They’re well-known adversaries, but is the tension between them simply rivalry...or is it something more?
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love is Always Write" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.
Download the story, read it online or find it in Love Is Always Write: Volume 6.
__________
Genre: contemporary
Tags: gay-for-you; first time; athlete; bromance; football; sports; opposites attract; enemies-to-lovers; frottage
Warnings: none
Word Count: 16,058
36 pages, ebook
First published July 11, 2012
207 people are currently reading
237 people want to read
About the author
Nico Jaye
21 books180 followersNico Jaye is a fan of all things HEA and has dragged her romance collection along for her moves from San Francisco to Los Angeles to Chicago to New York and back. She thinks reading is awesome and loves that she can hang out night after night with crinoline-wearing debutantes, brawny firemen in suspenders, and werewolf shifters with Scottish brogues. An overall feline enthusiast, Nico secretly (or not so secretly?) adores Hello Kitty, cat GIFs, spontaneous traveling, pretending to be crafty, emoticons, hot menfolk, and parenthetical statements (not necessarily in that order). Her favorite stories are those that marry smut and fluff (a.k.a. smuff) into a gooey ball of HEA and fuzzies.
You can find Nico chit chatting about cats, popcorn for dinner, impulse trips to Iceland, and crocheting four scarves in one night at any of the following:
Website: www.nicojaye.com
Twitter: @nicojaye
Facebook Profile: Nico Jaye
Facebook Page: Author Nico Jaye
Pinterest: NicoJaye
Tumblr (NSFW): nicojaye
Happy reading!
You can find Nico chit chatting about cats, popcorn for dinner, impulse trips to Iceland, and crocheting four scarves in one night at any of the following:
Website: www.nicojaye.com
Twitter: @nicojaye
Facebook Profile: Nico Jaye
Facebook Page: Author Nico Jaye
Pinterest: NicoJaye
Tumblr (NSFW): nicojaye
Happy reading!
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
February 5, 2017
It seemed to be way longer than it actually was. No heat, no sexual tension (though it was a pronounced request in the prompt), too many descriptive parts for a short story, cheesy and unlikely dirty talk.
See Bubbles Hunty's review for more.
See Bubbles Hunty's review for more.
September 4, 2016
Very nice Nico! I'm proud of you girl! This was a cute short about two football players falling for each other. Did it follow the prompt? Not exactly, but that didn't bother me at all. I enjoyed it for what it was, which was a nice, hot, sweet story. I thought the author did a great job developing the characters and setting the stage for their relationship. A wonderful freebie.
January 6, 2017
One of my favourites by Nico Jaye. This was utterly adorable.
August 13, 2013
Being that the NFL insists on confusing me with the preseason schedule and not having MNF on Monday night when there should be football for cripes sake, I can be thankful that Nico Jaye and Man to Man Coverage exists.
This was such a great short story and ticked all my sports story boxes. I love the rivals/opposites to friends to lovers story and this one had it all and did it well. Both MC's were likable and very different but totally complimentary to one another. The pacing was really well done and I liked that you could sense the friendship and connection between the two before the red hot smooching commenced. Oh the sweet tension and build up to the first kiss was great. Not long, but it didn't need to be. And I was so glad neither (meaning Brad) freaked out about them being together and they (he) kept the perspective that what they had together was so special and was meant to be.
Loved it and off to read the next!
This was such a great short story and ticked all my sports story boxes. I love the rivals/opposites to friends to lovers story and this one had it all and did it well. Both MC's were likable and very different but totally complimentary to one another. The pacing was really well done and I liked that you could sense the friendship and connection between the two before the red hot smooching commenced. Oh the sweet tension and build up to the first kiss was great. Not long, but it didn't need to be. And I was so glad neither (meaning Brad) freaked out about them being together and they (he) kept the perspective that what they had together was so special and was meant to be.
Loved it and off to read the next!
July 11, 2012
The start was slow for me. Something about Brads "voice" or maybe the style just keeps me from connecting with the story.
I hate brads annoying female girlfriend. I don't see what the point of having her here is at all.
I'm at 60% and there is no connection or tensions between the guys. They are just friends and there's no heat or passion between them.
The time line is also a little jumpy and has random little memories/flashbacks.
At 80% after Things finally end with the annoying pointless girlfriend, the day the break up he just completely out of the blue wants Cam. There was no build up at all. Up to this point it's been a MF. It's the guy, his annoying Girlfriend and his best friend. Until 80% then just randomly after one paragraph of "I've never liked guys before" and then he just does. The lack of a build up just makes this seem extremely random and wtf
Then there is 15% sex scene (gay at least) and a short morning after.
But you don't know cam at all. Especially about his sexuality. You don't know how their relationship will work. Will they come out? What about their teams? The media? The pointless relationship with the slutty gf was never actually resolved. He turns gay out of the blue no issues arise from that? Family? Friends?
I don't understand the references to the model parties but sounds like he's a druggy for some designer drug I haven't heard of.
The story had to much going on and the actual guys especially Cameron just fell in the back ground. It me times lots of random stuff and story lines to never wrap up or connect them. Like the one boy being hit by a car. The others basketball game. Dinner out where they show them order food and it skips ahead. No need to see them talk I guess? The whole 80% of a story with his girlfriend an her sex tapes side story. And all the football crap was written for people that watch football. If you don't follow football plan to e confused by the football games and team division statistics.
After rereading the prompt I don't thinks this answered it very well at all either. Like the part where it says they've wanted each for months and have tension between them. Or like where it says no girlie bits. This was just two friends hanging out until at 80% the one guy kind of ends his relationship with the girl and then it's just insta love and want you.
I was really looking forward to this story since I love this series of photos and remember talking with N about her prompt.
[image error]
I hate brads annoying female girlfriend. I don't see what the point of having her here is at all.
I'm at 60% and there is no connection or tensions between the guys. They are just friends and there's no heat or passion between them.
The time line is also a little jumpy and has random little memories/flashbacks.
At 80% after Things finally end with the annoying pointless girlfriend, the day the break up he just completely out of the blue wants Cam. There was no build up at all. Up to this point it's been a MF. It's the guy, his annoying Girlfriend and his best friend. Until 80% then just randomly after one paragraph of "I've never liked guys before" and then he just does. The lack of a build up just makes this seem extremely random and wtf
Then there is 15% sex scene (gay at least) and a short morning after.
But you don't know cam at all. Especially about his sexuality. You don't know how their relationship will work. Will they come out? What about their teams? The media? The pointless relationship with the slutty gf was never actually resolved. He turns gay out of the blue no issues arise from that? Family? Friends?
I don't understand the references to the model parties but sounds like he's a druggy for some designer drug I haven't heard of.
The story had to much going on and the actual guys especially Cameron just fell in the back ground. It me times lots of random stuff and story lines to never wrap up or connect them. Like the one boy being hit by a car. The others basketball game. Dinner out where they show them order food and it skips ahead. No need to see them talk I guess? The whole 80% of a story with his girlfriend an her sex tapes side story. And all the football crap was written for people that watch football. If you don't follow football plan to e confused by the football games and team division statistics.
After rereading the prompt I don't thinks this answered it very well at all either. Like the part where it says they've wanted each for months and have tension between them. Or like where it says no girlie bits. This was just two friends hanging out until at 80% the one guy kind of ends his relationship with the girl and then it's just insta love and want you.
I was really looking forward to this story since I love this series of photos and remember talking with N about her prompt.
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August 15, 2013
"gay-for-you; first time; athlete; bromance; football; sports; opposites attract; enemies-to-lovers; frottage" yes, all of that and more packed into 36 pages of M2M romantic goodness.
I loved the progression from enemies to friends, then lovers. Score, Nico Jaye!!
Highly recommended FREE short story.
I loved the progression from enemies to friends, then lovers. Score, Nico Jaye!!
Highly recommended FREE short story.
December 6, 2013
Nico you are a rockstar! Loved it!
April 8, 2017
** spoiler alert ** VERY raw notes, may contain spoilers but probably nothing major. I write my reviews on my smart phone so autocorrect sometimes does interesting things. You've been warned.
August 1, 2020
Very enjoyable short story with great characters, just the right amount of sports and an enemies to lovers plot. A lot packed into a short amount of space and there's a follow up which I'm off to read now.
May 29, 2013
I actually liked this one. It didn't exactly follow along with the prompt I requested but considering this is the author's first attempt at a story, it came out good.
It was entertaining and I liked the connection between Brad and Cam and I liked that they weren't obnoxious. I was hoping for more sexual tension between them but I did like the build up of their friendship. A bit too much telling instead of showing but there were a few moments that were so cute I couldn't help but smile.
Overall, a nice enjoyable story. I'm looking forward to the sequel!
It was entertaining and I liked the connection between Brad and Cam and I liked that they weren't obnoxious. I was hoping for more sexual tension between them but I did like the build up of their friendship. A bit too much telling instead of showing but there were a few moments that were so cute I couldn't help but smile.
Overall, a nice enjoyable story. I'm looking forward to the sequel!
May 21, 2018
Yay!! This was great. I loved the progression of their enemies-to-lovers relationship.
I was excited and happy. Low-key to no-key angst but lots of happy feels by the end. Can't wait for the follow up.
Thanks Nico!!
I was excited and happy. Low-key to no-key angst but lots of happy feels by the end. Can't wait for the follow up.
Thanks Nico!!
March 26, 2015
I really enjoyed this enemies to lovers story. Two quarterbacks on rival teams become friends and then lovers. Well done :)
April 3, 2020
Cam searched Brad’s gaze for a moment before a smile broke out across his face. “Sometimes I just can’t believe this is happening.” - Nico Jaye. Man-to-Man Coverage (Kindle Locations 759-760).
Well, that's two of us, Cam.
But the gay-for-you almost worked until the very end when the sudden transformation of QB Brad seemed just a little too painless. Still, a wholesome take on the sub-genre, particularly on the sexual end.
Well, that's two of us, Cam.
But the gay-for-you almost worked until the very end when the sudden transformation of QB Brad seemed just a little too painless. Still, a wholesome take on the sub-genre, particularly on the sexual end.
June 11, 2016
Ok so really this is a very sweet bromance between two quarterbacks in the NFL. But it doesn't have a lot of angst or dramatics to give it a ton of depth. I'm curious about the next book in the series because this is really just a beginning for these two and all the difficult stuff is still ahead of them.
This would have been a 4 star read for me as it was very sweet, but it loses half a star leaving it at 3.5 stars as it hit one of my personal pet peeves. Most people who know me know I'm a die hard sports fan and football is by far the top of all that. I'm perfectly fine with you creating fake team names rather than using the established NFL, especially because you did it for all the teams and didn't try to mix it up. But I'm sorry, NO ONE has a bye the last week of the season. Everybody plays that day not only because it increases tension for those teams still in the hunt for a playoff berth and tv loves drama, but to have played 16 weeks without a breather would be agony on the guys. It's a little thing but it irked the crap out of me.
This would have been a 4 star read for me as it was very sweet, but it loses half a star leaving it at 3.5 stars as it hit one of my personal pet peeves. Most people who know me know I'm a die hard sports fan and football is by far the top of all that. I'm perfectly fine with you creating fake team names rather than using the established NFL, especially because you did it for all the teams and didn't try to mix it up. But I'm sorry, NO ONE has a bye the last week of the season. Everybody plays that day not only because it increases tension for those teams still in the hunt for a playoff berth and tv loves drama, but to have played 16 weeks without a breather would be agony on the guys. It's a little thing but it irked the crap out of me.
September 11, 2013
These books were perfect shorts for an Autumn evening. I loved the characters of Cam & Brad. I loved that they started as rivals, but as they got to know each other the romance blossomed between them. I love it when a romance starts as friendship, it gives something extra to the relationship in my opinion.
As well as writing two fabulous main characters and a great supporting cast, I loved the detail Nico Jaye writes into her stories with regards to the American football game. I know nothing about the sport but, without boring me, she manages to make it real for me.
I enjoyed the first story so much, I had to read the follow up before I went to sleep! Really lovely short stories for those who love, love.
As well as writing two fabulous main characters and a great supporting cast, I loved the detail Nico Jaye writes into her stories with regards to the American football game. I know nothing about the sport but, without boring me, she manages to make it real for me.
I enjoyed the first story so much, I had to read the follow up before I went to sleep! Really lovely short stories for those who love, love.
July 15, 2012
This is a nice story but I have to agree that it's not quite what the prompt asked for. Instead of the story about two gay men trying to hide their attractions for each other, it is about GFY story.
The tension was not from the narrator (I guess it was implied). But the story end just when the relationship began to bloom.
I would be interested to read how will Brad and Cam manage to keep their relationship while being on different teams and live in different states.
The tension was not from the narrator (I guess it was implied). But the story end just when the relationship began to bloom.
I would be interested to read how will Brad and Cam manage to keep their relationship while being on different teams and live in different states.
wrote-it-o__o-gasp
September 10, 2012The sequel is now available as a free download here on GR.
Man-to-Man Coverage: The Extra Point
Download the PDF, MOBI, and/or EPUB version HERE.
Enjoy!
Man-to-Man Coverage: The Extra Point
Download the PDF, MOBI, and/or EPUB version HERE.
Enjoy!
January 3, 2013
A cute, sweet short story. I can't tell you how much I appreciate the fact that Brad and Cam take the time to get to know, and like each other BEFORE all the one true love talk.
June 24, 2017
Really cute!
January 19, 2013
I seriously do not know how this story does not have a higher rating. This is seriously one of my favorite stories in the m/m genre (or any other genre for that matter.) it is just so darn good! AND FREE! Hello!
The whole man-to-man series is phenomenal and these stories are an incredible tale of love and friendship and physical and emotional connections! I sure hope there is going to be more in this man-to-man series. I would seriously LOVE to read more about Brad and Cam.
This is basically what I wanted the story Heart in Hand to be, so if you liked that story, please read this! I don't see how you will be disappointed with this series (except that the third installment in this series is just too darn short and left me wanting more!) but that's a good thing!
So if you are looking for a friends-to-lovers story that will leave you feeling happy, then read this! And it's great because this story is the first part in a series, so you can follow these characters through more moments! This story is well written and You won't find any of those pesky grammar mistakes or typos that seem to be in so many of these m/m stories I read.
Bravo!
Cheers to you, Nico Jaye! You did a phenomenol job! Please write more :)
The whole man-to-man series is phenomenal and these stories are an incredible tale of love and friendship and physical and emotional connections! I sure hope there is going to be more in this man-to-man series. I would seriously LOVE to read more about Brad and Cam.
This is basically what I wanted the story Heart in Hand to be, so if you liked that story, please read this! I don't see how you will be disappointed with this series (except that the third installment in this series is just too darn short and left me wanting more!) but that's a good thing!
So if you are looking for a friends-to-lovers story that will leave you feeling happy, then read this! And it's great because this story is the first part in a series, so you can follow these characters through more moments! This story is well written and You won't find any of those pesky grammar mistakes or typos that seem to be in so many of these m/m stories I read.
Bravo!
Cheers to you, Nico Jaye! You did a phenomenol job! Please write more :)
October 7, 2015
I am not really a sports fan but I love books about men in sports.
I don't know, whatever.
So right there I wanted to read 'cause two quarterbacks, and then the only thing I love as much as friends to lovers is the enemies to lovers plot and Nico Jaye managed to sell both.
Whoo Loved it. You get to experience Brad and Cam's relationship change from rivals to good friends and then when things get interesting you buy it because you are already invested in their relationship. Then
I was like Wait What . Thank God there are two additional stories that completes the tale. Do yourself a favor and have those ready to go. You will want to go straight on to them and not have to pause to find and download.
I don't know, whatever.
So right there I wanted to read 'cause two quarterbacks, and then the only thing I love as much as friends to lovers is the enemies to lovers plot and Nico Jaye managed to sell both.
Whoo Loved it. You get to experience Brad and Cam's relationship change from rivals to good friends and then when things get interesting you buy it because you are already invested in their relationship. Then
I was like Wait What . Thank God there are two additional stories that completes the tale. Do yourself a favor and have those ready to go. You will want to go straight on to them and not have to pause to find and download.
December 4, 2012
For a first time story? This one was A-ok! It had a buildup of imagined tension, that turned into a friendship that went even farther. The couple in the story were rival football players, and that was something that was kind of funny to see. I was half expecting someone to be outed, but that never happened. I would say that it's a story of boy has no clue of fan boy's existence, then meets fan boy and makes a complete ass of himself. Said ass decides to be an ass more often but then shows that he can be a decent guy. The developing friendship starts at that point and continues. There's not really much more to say; again, as a first time? Nice!
August 5, 2016
Two college football rivals become professional football rivals and the intensity of that rival seems only to increase right along with the level of play. But what if there's something underneath the tension that means something more?
I thoroughly enjoyed this. The dynamic between Brad and Cam is wonderful and the transitions in their relationship are portrayed masterfully. I'm left looking to pick up more by Nico Jaye in the future and immerse myself in the worlds she creates.
I thoroughly enjoyed this. The dynamic between Brad and Cam is wonderful and the transitions in their relationship are portrayed masterfully. I'm left looking to pick up more by Nico Jaye in the future and immerse myself in the worlds she creates.
January 9, 2016
I don't think that really respects what the book was supposed to be about. No girlie bits yet we have the annoying, prone to pout gf, they were supposed to be banter and sexual tension but really there was none. I don't know where that bits about the kids come from. There was just a lot of pages wasted on nothing related to the two guys.... I didn't like it. The synopsis is better than the story itself and I don't think the author did a good job respecting it.
July 19, 2012
This is the author's first attempt at writing? It was fantastic. The characters were clever and had great chemistry. It had everything I like in my short stories! I'll definitely follow Nico Jaye's writing!
wrote-it-as-nico-jaye-o__o-gasp
September 10, 2012The follow up to this story is now available for download here: Man-to-Man Coverage: The Extra Point.
August 26, 2012
I've read this one a couple times now and I'm sure I'll read it again in a few months just because it leaves me with a goofy grin. The MCs are fantastic, sweet, and realistic. Banter is great, and this has one of my most favorite first time scenes, very hot and very sweet. Great read.
October 26, 2013
Oh yes - this story is great for a short GFY hit. I love good sports stories, especially with some initial friction/rivalry. I'm certain I'll read this again, and I'm definitely looking forward to more in this series :)
June 5, 2015
Every one thinks they enemys rivals even these guys think so . Both play football and have eyes fr each other they see each-other in an different light, There will be struggles especially when u are in the media eyes will these guys get through it.
April 18, 2015
4.5 - Loved it!!! Thank you Nico Jaye, for donating your story, time and talent.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews