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

“Dennis,”Andy said,looking the boy over.He didn’t like him.He looked older than Craig,though he couldn’t have been much older if he was still in school.His eyes were too close together,or at least his eyebrows met in the middle.Andy remembered his grandmother would take an instant dislike to anyone she thought had eyes that were too close together.


Dennis flicked his cigarette butt to the tarmac before grinding it out with his boot.When he looked over at Luke,his attitude changed from brooding tough-guy to…something more predatory.Andy’s body went on full alert.


“Craig’s talked a lot about you,”Dennis said to Luke.


“Oh,I’m sure none of it was true.”


Craig hasn’t said anything about you,Andy thought,giving the youth another once over.Turning to Craig,he asked,“You ready to go?”


Craig gave Dennis an awkward hug that Dennis didn’t seem to return.“I’ll see you Monday,all right?”


Chapter 32