Love's Not Up For Debate: The Chance Encounters Series, #77

By Monica Moss

Two rival student council candidates, Noah Smith and Oliver Jones, find themselves inexplicably drawn to each other, turning their public debates into private banter and eventually, a secret romance. But both guys aren't out as gay and afraid of coming out.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Short and Sweet Publishing
• Release date: Jun 23, 2024
• ISBN: 9798227480927

Monica Moss

Monica Moss is a short contemporary romance author. She's always loved romances and short stories. She writes short gay romances about chance encounters, love enduring prejudice, and taking the leap of faith for the love you deserve. 

Book preview

NOAH

I stood in the bustling school courtyard, my campaign posters fluttering in the breeze as students hurried past. My name, Noah Smith, was emblazoned in bold letters across every available surface, a constant reminder of my ambition to become student council president. I couldn't help but feel a surge of determination as I glanced at the cluster of students gathering around my rival’s table.

Oliver Jones. Just the thought of him made my blood boil. He was standing there with that infuriatingly confident smile, charming everyone with his easy demeanor. I watched as he handed out flyers, laughing and chatting as if he didn't have a care in the world. It was as if the election was just a game to him, while to me, it was everything.

We couldn't be more different. Oliver's campaign was all about fun and popularity, while mine focused on real issues, on making a genuine difference. Every time we clashed in debates or meetings, it felt like a battle of ideologies. And every time he smiled at me, it felt like a personal challenge.

But there was something else, something deeper that made our rivalry more complicated. Beneath my irritation and competitive drive, there was a part of me that couldn’t ignore how attractive he was. It was confusing and maddening, especially since I was dealing with my own struggles.

I hadn't told anyone that I was gay. It was a secret I guarded fiercely, terrified of what it would mean for my campaign, for my life. I could only imagine how my parents would react, how the other students would treat me if they knew. So, I buried those feelings deep, focusing instead on the election and my plans for the future.

But every time I saw Oliver, those buried feelings threatened to surface. It was ironic, really. Here we were, rivals in the public eye, both of us hiding the same secret. I wondered if Oliver struggled with his own identity, if he ever felt the same fear and uncertainty that I did.

I shook my head, pushing those thoughts aside as I plastered a confident smile on my face and approached a group of students. There was no room for doubt or distraction. I had a campaign to win, and nothing—not even Oliver Jones—was going to stand in my way.

Yet, as I glanced over at him one last time, I couldn't shake the feeling that our story was far from over.

OLIVER

I stood at my campaign table in the crowded school courtyard, the sun casting a warm glow over everything. My name, Oliver Jones, was printed boldly on the flyers I handed out to passing students. I smiled and chatted, my confidence unwavering. This election meant everything to me, and I was determined to win.

Across the courtyard, I caught sight of Noah Smith, my biggest rival. His campaign posters were everywhere, a constant reminder of his relentless ambition. Just seeing him made my blood boil. He was always so serious, so focused on making a difference. It was like he thought he was the only one who cared about this school.

We couldn't be more different. My campaign was all about bringing people together, making school life fun and engaging. Noah, on the other hand, was all about policies and reforms. Every debate we had was a battle, each of us trying to outdo the other. And every time he spoke, it felt like a personal attack.

But there was something else that complicated things. Beneath my frustration and competitive spirit, I couldn't ignore the fact that Noah was...attractive. It was confusing and frustrating, especially since I was dealing with my own secrets.

I hadn't told anyone that I was gay. It was a secret I kept close, terrified of what it would mean for my future, for my reputation. The thought of how my family and friends would react kept me up at night. So, I buried those feelings deep, focusing instead on the campaign and my goals.

Yet, every time I saw Noah, those feelings threatened to break free. It was ironic, really. Here we were, rivals in every sense, both of us hiding the same truth. I often wondered if Noah struggled with his own identity, if he felt the same fear and uncertainty that I did.

I shook off those thoughts as I plastered on another smile and handed a flyer to a passing student. There was no room for doubt or distraction. I had a campaign to win, and nothing—not even Noah Smith—was going to stand in my way.

But as I glanced at him one last time, I couldn't help but feel that our story was far from over.

NOAH

The day had finally arrived. Campaign kickoff. The courtyard was buzzing with excitement and anticipation as students gathered around the various tables set up by the candidates. My table, adorned with bright banners and posters, stood proudly at the center. I had worked tirelessly to get everything perfect, knowing that every detail mattered.

As I handed out flyers and greeted students, I couldn't help but glance across the courtyard at Oliver's table. There he was, smiling and laughing with his supporters, his charm on full display. It irritated me how easily he seemed to attract people, as if he wasn't taking any of this seriously.

We locked eyes for a moment, and I felt a jolt of electricity. His smile faltered, and for a split second, I thought I saw something else in his eyes—something vulnerable. But then his confident mask slipped back into place, and the moment was gone.

The speeches began, and I took the stage first. I spoke passionately about my vision for the school, emphasizing my plans for real change and improvement. The applause was encouraging, and I felt a surge of confidence.

Then it was Oliver's turn. He bounded onto the stage with that infuriatingly effortless grace, his voice warm and engaging. He talked about unity and making school life more enjoyable, and I could see the crowd responding to his energy.

As he finished his speech, our eyes met again. There was no mistaking the tension between us. We were rivals in every sense, each determined to outshine the other. But beneath that rivalry, there was something unspoken, a connection that neither of us was ready to acknowledge.

I turned away, focusing on my supporters. This was just the beginning. I had to stay focused, keep my eye on the prize. There was no room for distractions, especially not ones that involved Oliver Jones.

OLIVER

Campaign kickoff day had finally arrived, and the courtyard was alive with energy. I stood by my table, surrounded by friends and supporters, my heart pounding with excitement. This was my moment to shine, to show everyone what I was capable of.

I glanced over at Noah's table and saw him busy rallying his supporters. His table was perfectly organized, just like him. Everything about Noah screamed precision and seriousness, and it drove me crazy. He acted like he was the only one who truly cared about this election.

Our eyes met, and I felt a strange mix of emotions. There