Out in the Offense: Out in College Book 3, Lane Hayes

Living a life he loves under circumstances that stifle him, Christian Rafferty finds himself pulled in two very different directions.  When his need for a tutor leads him to a man that makes him question the value in pretending, he finds the possibility of a future full of choice, freedom, and maybe love.  Rory has had his struggle with himself and his sexuality.  Now in a place where he fully accepts who he is, he finds strength in being himself no matter what.  He sees his past in Christian and despite his initial misgivings, he's drawn to the hesitant jock.  Soon they're falling, but the fallout might be enough to crush what they're building.

When we first met Rory in Out in the End Zone he was in a very difficult place.  It was an awkward, painful situation that ultimately led to Mitch and Evan's getting together.  I thought Rory's story would pick up from there, but instead we were treated to a self-assured, fantastic man in a place to guide, support, and fully love Christian.  We got to know Rory for all his brilliance, tenderness, empathy, and strength.  Going into this I wasn't sure if I'd like Rory but after a couple meetings, I was gone on him.  But we don't get his point of view.  I wish we had it.  A wealth of awesome and feels could have been had.

Christian was likable right from the moment we met him and he continued being the steady presence here that he was hinted at being previously.  Except just beneath his calm surface is a turbulent sea of fear, dissatisfaction, and anxiety.  He's trying so hard to live both the life he wants and the life that's expected of him and I ached for him at times.  Seeing him interact with Rory was like seeing a light from inside him and he suddenly became a whole person, someone I could genuinely enjoy.  His coming out "speech" was tender, heartfelt, and so honest.  I don't know that I'm a fan of his avoidance leading up to it, but once it came time to accept and stand up for himself, he spoke up and his confrontation was powerful.  What began as a general like for him as a character grew and deepened into love.  I cheered for everything Christian became.

One thing I will say, though, is that poor Jonesie seems to get the short end of the supportive stick every time.  Sure, he speaks before he thinks and has some socially conditioned views, but when the chips are down he's on his friends' sides all the way.  Someone needs to stop commenting on his lack of intelligence and choose him to be their friend and perhaps their go-to for support and acceptance instead of judging him so harshly.  I'm a fan of the poor guy.

Again, Lane Hayes has a winner here.  Though I do have a couple issues.  First, there's no alternating POV.  We got it before, why not now?  Rory has such a deep story and perspective and I wanted his words so much!  And then the vandal was never caught or punished.  Perhaps this is supposed to be like the dividing line between a Shakespearean tragedy versus a comedy and the bad guy gets his off screen?  It just seems like a  let down.  That the event could have the positive outcome despite its intention should really have stuck in the "bad guy's" craw, like another element of justice served, but we don't get anything.  Maybe the person is going to get their own story and this event will be revisited?  One can only hope.  Aside from that, this book was steamy, sweet, well-written, and such an entertaining read.

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