Kevin Baker is a banker, fifty-eight years old, but tells anyone who seems interested that he’s fifty-five. He regularly visits his gym in order to keep in shape, as well as to scope out the hunks. One particular hunk, Jake Whittiker is a leather-clad,muscled, tattooed, shaven headed biker. Kevin is infatuated with Jake and takes every opportunity to check the guy out. On the surface, Kevin and Jake couldn't be more different, however, they have certain things in common: both are gay and are seeking love in lieu of meaningless brief encounters. Both also have something they are hiding. Life for Kevin becomes increasingly complicated when passion and testosterone take over his normally reticent behavior. He agrees to go back to Jake’s house for sex. Here Jake’s secret is revealed and Kevin inadvertently confesses what he, too, has been holding back. The happy future for which both yearned seems impossible. Now the lies and omissions are revealed, can Jake and Kevin accept each others' imperfections and weave a new future with what's left?

Tangled Web

“What’s that, dear?” Gloria’s sleepy voice whispered.


Fuck, he said again. This time to himself. 


Kevin surprised himself Thursday at work. He was able to concentrate on bank business for maybe twenty minutes at a time, without either thinking about his letter to Derrick, or of his infatuation with Jake. 


As for the former, he hadn't a clue how to undo the impulsive, rebound inspired email he'd sent to the kid. He could just ignore the myriad of emails he knew would be coming, asking: What happened? Was there something wrong? Was he going to call? But, Kevin knew, understood, the loneliness of being gay and married. He had been where Derrick was. And wasn’t Derrick’s desperation a reflection of his own with regard to Jake? No, he would write to Derrick and say something to make him feel okay about the fact there was no way anything could come of their long-distance romance as soon as he had a chance. 


Chapter 7