Wounded by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan and suffering post traumatic stress as a result, Andy Johnson is given a medical discharge from the British army. Shunning attention, Andy lives a quiet and lonely existence on his pig farm in Yorkshire. His peace is threatened when his friends take him to the city for his birthday. They buy him a kiss from Luke Wales, a twink porn star. Overwhelmed and needing some air, Andy escapes outside. Luke finds him there. They talk and Andy begins to relax. It’s cold and Andy gives Luke his combat jacket. However Roger, Luke’s boyfriend appears and the momentary connection is lost. Weeks later, recently separated from Roger, Luke is back in the north of England. He decides to pay Andy a visit, using the excuse of returning the man’s jacket. A snow storm forces the two men to spend time together, and a tentative friendship begins. Neither man is convinced they are worthy of the other. It takes time, plus the encouragement of friends and Andy’s teenage nephew, Craig, to convince the reluctant couple that what exists on the surface only tells part of the story. Andy’s scars and Luke’s past employment shouldn’t stand in the way of them exploring what each feels for the other.

Surface Tension

For a moment he was back in Afghanistan.Panic had him in its frantic grip,and he couldn’t catch his breath.“Fucking hell,Tom!I’ve told you not to creep up on me like that.”


Andy felt his panic recede.“No,mate,I’m sorry.I just—”


“You okay?”Luke looked concernedly at Andy,who felt even more foolish at his outburst.


“Yeah.I…it’s just that I don’t deal well with surprises.”


“Afghanistan?”The single-word seemed to hold a world of understanding and sympathy.


“Have you,”Luke shifted his feet,but his eyes remained on Andy’s,“seen anyone about it?”


“Yeah,for a while.I’m all right most of the time.”


“But there is help out there,from the army I mean,if you need it?”


Andy was always uncomfortable when people talked about psychiatrists and the like.He knew the people asking meant well,but still…He was deeply relieved that Luke didn’t pursue the point.


Chapter 14