Once the star of his high school basketball team, Nathan Gayle has played the field for years. Now in his twenties, he's getting tired of one night stands and heated hook-ups with strangers; he wants something more. Was that asking too much?<br><br>Wes Roberts has had a fierce crush on Nathan since high school. A chance encounter at prom created a memory Wes still cherishes, one perfect moment in time. His current relationship with Roger pales in comparison, but he's been with the man for eight months now and they've settled into a routine that's not exactly comfortable.<br><br>When Wes and Nathan meet up again years later at a friend's party, the spark between them is rekindled. But there's Roger, who wrestles with anger and drinking problems. Roger, whom Wes is still dating. Though the choice between the two men seems obvious, breaking up with Roger may be easier said than done.

Crushed

Wes woke to the sound of the TV,turned down low.His back and head ached,his neck was stiff,his arms sore,and as he stretched,he wondered if it was too late to just crawl into his bed now.Every time he slept on the couch,he woke up feeling like shit.You’d think I’d learn my lesson by now.


He heard the shuffle of a newspaper and rolled onto his back as he opened his eyes.A thin shaft of sunlight slanted into the living room through a gap in the closed curtains behind him,casting a bright line across the middle of the TV screen where the color drained away and made everything pale beneath it.From the other side of the room,he heard the newspaper again,someone turning the page,and the faint clikclikof the dog’s nails on the kitchen floor as she circled once before lying down.


Then Roger’s soft voice asked,“You getting up sometime today?”


Chapter 13