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

When he saw Ricky kiss Charlie, it was the last straw. Coming up behind him, he grabbed Ricky’s shoulder, swung him around and landed a hard punch to his jaw. “Keep your damned hands off of him.”


The only reason Ricky didn’t land on his ass was because Charlie was right there. As he caught Ricky, Charlie glared at Jace. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”


“Saving you from this mother-fucking son-of-a-bitch.”


“I don’t need saving. I’m here because I want to be.”


“Then you’re as crazy…” Jace didn’t get to finish his sentence because two of the club’s bouncers grabbed his arms.


“Leave him be,” Ricky told them, rubbing his jaw. “It was just a small misunderstanding. I’m fine.”


One of the bouncers looked at him askance. “You’re sure, sir?”


“Yeah. He got it out of his system. Right, Jace?”


Jace looked mutinously at him before deciding he’d better agree or be thrown out of the club. “Yeah, I’ll behave,” he muttered.


Chapter 17