Can two broken men build one life? Ten years. That’s what Makai lost for a crime he didn’t commit. He’s been exonerated, but the abuse he suffered in prison isn’t so easy to leave behind. He heads to the one place he remembers being happy: Acker, Wisconsin, where he spent summers with his grandpa. Unfortunately, not everyone wants Makai there. Ten days. That’s how long Emil, now twenty-one, was held prisoner as a teenager. The mental and physical injuries he suffered at the hands of a drug trafficking ring still haunt him. Nightmares, anxiety, and PTSD challenge the connection forming between Makai and Emil, though together, they might find a way to move beyond their pain and into a future -- and a relationship -- that both had thought impossible. Now they just have to convince Emil’s father, the town sheriff. It won’t be easy with danger closer than they know ...

“Hey, Joey,” Makai called back with less volume.


The child was wearing jeans, the boots, and a T-shirt with some sports team’s logo on it. A boy day, it seemed. He also had a cap with Dory from Finding Nemoon it.


“What are you doing?” Joey asked, bouncing on his heels on the shore, staying away from the table and tools, and never approaching the dock, something Makai appreciated.


“I’m fixing the dock. There were a few rotten boards.”


“Hey,” Emil said finally, coming to stand next to Joey.


“Hi.” Makai smiled at him and took in the long-sleeved T-shirt and skinny jeans. Emil had a dark beanie covering most of his hair, and like the old man he felt he was, Makai wondered how he could wear such a thing when it was sunny outside.


“Ooh, I like this song!” Joey squealed, startling Emil.


Joey started to dance clumsily in his boots, and Emil smiled at him.


“Is this P!nk?” Makai asked, because the voice sounded familiar.


Chapter 27