First
Class Package
Title:
First Class Package
Genre:
contemporary gay romance, short story, free story
Author:
Jay Northcote
Word
count: 7377
Buy
links:
Blurb
A geeky science
writer has a crush on his postman—but will he ever make a move?
Working
from home suits introvert Jim until he gets a special delivery—an extremely
cute, temporary postman called Patrick. Jim’s drawn to his wide smile and sexy
legs, while Patrick can’t keep his eyes off Jim’s package.
Their
doorstep attraction seems mutual, so asking Patrick out on a date should be
easy. There’s just one problem—Jim could fit all the pick-up lines he knows on
the back of a postage stamp.
As
Christmas approaches, Jim knows the end of Patrick’s postal-delivery contract
is looming. Taking a chance might be worth it if it keeps Patrick coming to his
door.
Excerpt
The sound of the doorbell jarred Jim out of the article on climate
change he was working on. Having barely started his first draft, with a
deadline forty-eight hours away, he wasn’t too chuffed about being pulled out
of the zone. Sighing heavily, he set his laptop aside. As he moved to answer
the door, he realised how stiff he was. How long had he been sitting immobile
on the sofa? It must have been at least a couple of hours. He was still wearing
the ratty old T-shirt and tracksuit bottoms he’d slept in, he realised. But
that often happened when he was writing. Getting dressed was just another
distraction he didn’t need.
He spotted the flash of a red and navy uniform through the frosted glass
panel in the front door and opened it, expecting to see his usual postman
Keith.
But on opening the door, he found himself facing a stranger—an
attractive stranger with a cheeky grin and twinkly blue eyes under dark spiky
hair.
“You’re not Keith,” Jim said.
“Um… no.” Not-Keith’s grin slipped a little. “He’s off work for a few
weeks. Had an op on his knee.” He gestured down and Jim’s eyes followed the
movement, getting stuck on a delightful pair of muscular legs that emerged from
beneath the postman’s navy shorts.
Shorts, in the middle of December? Jim shivered at the thought of it. It was bloody freezing out there,
but sunny at least, he supposed.
Jim realised he was still staring like an idiot at the poor bloke’s
knees. He quickly looked up again.
“I’ve got something you need to sign for.” Not-Keith pressed a few
buttons on his electronic signature gizmo and held it out. A rainbow braided
bracelet slipped out from below his sleeve. “Give us your autograph then.”
Jim squiggled something that looked completely unlike his signature,
then took the parcel Not-Keith offered him. “Cheers.”
Not-Keith flashed him another devastating smile that did funny things to
Jim’s belly. “You’re welcome. Have a good day!”
He turned and hurried off.
Jim’s gaze dropped back down those bare legs: furry, muscular calves
over thick socks and boots. The sight of those did funny things a little
further south than Jim’s belly.
He shook his head as though to clear it. He didn’t have time to indulge
in dirty fantasies about his postman today. There was work to do.
Author Bio
Jay
lives just outside Bristol in the West of England, with her husband, two children,
and two cats.
She
comes from a family of writers, but she always used to believe that the gene
for fiction writing had passed her by. She spent years only ever writing
emails, articles, or website content. One day, she decided to try and write a
short story–just to see if she could–and found it rather addictive. She hasn’t
stopped writing since.
Links
My thoughts:
Jay
Northcote spoils us with this free holiday read. First Class Package is a fun,
sweet, touching and all-round wonderful short story.
I’m
not going to say a lot about the story besides what you can find in the blurb.
This is a sweet short story you should enjoy for yourself. Suffice to say I
enjoyed my time with Jim and Patrick, couldn’t help smiling at the cuddly toys –
especially the pink elephant – and adored the goofiness of these two young men.
The understated yet clear loneliness of both Jim and Patrick was sad without
being dramatic. Just as their mutual shyness was frustrating without being
irritating.
Jay
Northcote has made the ‘boy next door’ her own. You’ll recognise her
characters, will be able to hear their dialogue, and will be charmed by them. If you haven't read anything by Jay Northcote yet why don't you sample First Class Package and allow it to convince you to read more by this rather wonderful author.
