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

“Brian! I’m going to kick your ass.”


“I’d like to see you try,” Brian challenged him before turning his attention back to James in the rearview mirror. “Don’t worry, I know you’re a closet queen. I won’t out you. So long as you keep your fucking hands to yourself.”


“You’re such a goddamn asshole, Bri.” Matt buried his head in his hands while shaking his head.


But Brian was already out the car and making his way to their porch.


“I’m sorry. He’s just pissed about something that’s happened. I’ll get it out of him eventually. He’s just not used to—”


James leaned over and kissed Matt full on the mouth, in view of Brian waiting on the porch. When he pulled away, James smiled at him. “Stop making excuses for other people. I enjoyed tonight,” he said with a finality that at once allowed Matt the escape he needed and also negate the guilt that weighed him down over how the evening ended. He opened the door and looked back as James spoke once more.


Chapter 25