Twin brothers Brian and Matt Walker went to live with their mother’s brother after the death of their parents at an early age. Brian is still wracked with the guilt he carries around from a young age and sees the world through a distorted lens of self-loathing. When he meets a sexy and interested college-aged guy at the beginning of his senior year of high school, he may have finally found someone who can help him escape his mundane existence.<br><br>Matt has his life all planned out -- he longs for a solid career in journalism after graduating college. But his tenuous hold on family life threatens his dreams of independence, as does the attentions of a closeted new transfer to their school.<br><br>Can Matt pull away enough from his family to come into his own? And will Brian finally get to grips with his past and allow his twin to chase his own happiness?

Twice the Hands to Hold

“That’s what you have a trashcan for,” Matt said.


“Did you really want to talk to me about my beating off etiquette?”


Matt sighed and tore his stare from the mess on Brian’s floor. “Drop the attitude, please.”


“Fine. But I’m on a clock, so you better get it out.”


“Uncle Jake is letting you go out after last night?”


“I’m not a kid,” Brian said too defensively and then immediately regretted snapping. “Sorry. My head’s a bit cluttered. I haven’t asked him yet.”


“No more than usual.” He sounded defeated, but he’d accepted his place in life long ago. Matt was the golden boy, which he really was. Brian was the mess who always seemed to do the wrong thing even though he just wanted to exist.


His brother stared at him with knowing eyes, as if reading his thoughts. “Don’t go there, please.” His brother’s voice was pleading.


“I’m not heading anywhere. It is what it is.”


“You’re not a loser. And no one perceives you that way, so stop it.”


Chapter 20