Scene designer Charlie Cox is in a clandestine relationship with the theater's lead actor, Ricky Moore. Charlie knows it will never be more than that because Ricky is too egotistical to want to be seen in public with a man who has deep burn scars on one arm. Not that Charlie blames him, since he's certain he’s a freak in almost everyone's eyes. Jace Parish, the scene shop boss, is in love with Charlie but will never let him know. Jace thinks he’s uninteresting because he’s thirty and starting to bald, which makes him look middle-aged. He also has never admitted to anyone he works with that he’s gay. Liam Dolan owns the gym where Jace comes to work out his anger and frustration. Liam has been drawn to Jace from the beginning but believes Jace is straight, so has never revealed his feelings to Jace. Ricky Moore knows he is using Charlie for his own selfish ends. What Ricky can't figure out is why, when he can and does have anyone he wants in his bed, he keeps coming back to Charlie. These four men have preconceived ideas about themselves and each other. What will it take for them to realize love is possible, if they will only give it a chance?

Hell, Look at Me

Ricky shrugged. “If I pay for their drinks before taking them home, yeah. Did I guess right?”


Puzzled, Ricky wanted to know. “Then how could I be doing anything to them?”


“Because they…they want you to notice them and they know it won’t happen. It’s tearing them up inside. At least I think it is. I’ve watched them watching you. It hurts.”


Ricky almost joked, “You mean there’s a woman in the company I haven’t slept with?” He refrained because he suddenly got it. “It hurts because you’re in love with her. Damn, Jace.” He thought for a moment. “It’s Merianne. Right? I’ve seen the two of you together. Does she know?”


To Ricky’s surprise, Jace laughed. “No, it’s not Merianne. We’re just good friends and trust me, she thinks you’re the scum of the earth.”


Chapter 11