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

“It was a hate crime.I was in a gay area of London and a group of yobs beat me up.They also stole a camouflage jacket that Andy had loaned me.”


“I told you,I don’t care about the jacket,”Andy growled.


“Maybe‘cause of the jacket the police might be able to trace whoever did it,”Craig put in.


“Well,uh.”Craig looked uncomfortable.“I’m not saying it has a homing device or anything sewn into the lining,but don’t you have your name,rank and all that on it somewhere?”


Andy nodded.“Though I imagine Luke’s attackers would have removed that.”


The conversation drifted to other topics,Andy relaxing as the focus moved further from Luke.Then Jessica piped up with,“Would it be all right if Craig stayed here this coming weekend?”


Andy glanced at Craig,who surprisingly didn’t seem excited or anxious.Instead he appeared sad,even a little angry.


“I can’t see why not.But why?”Something was going on,and Andy wasn’t sure what.


Chapter 24