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

“You fucking—”Andy started to say.


Roger broke free and ran off down the street,dropping the few things he’d earlier picked out of the boxes.


Andy turned to Luke,who looked as though he was about to collapse.He pulled him into his arms and snuffled the top of his head,murmuring calming words to his trembling lover.


“It’s not true,what he said about—”Luke started to say.


“Shush.I know it’s not.”He continued to make soothing noises until Luke calmed.“Craig,can you mind things out here for a few minutes?”He then led an unresisting boyfriend down the area steps and into the flat.


Luke seemed to bounce back pretty quickly,much to Andy’s relief.Andy thought the prospect ofnever having to see Roger again played some part in Luke’s recovery.He had listened while Luke talked about Roger,privately hating the man even more at every new revelation.But he kept his opinions to himself.


Chapter 42