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

James stood up abruptly, his chair scraping against the tiles. His hand shot out and shoved Matt’s hand away from his shoulder, and Brian had already crossed the room by the time James squared his shoulders.


He took in the pained glint in his brother’s eyes before noticing James’ busted lip first and then the swollen gash above his eye. His left cheek and part of his chin harbored a harsh bruise, but it all faded for Brian as he took in the stricken look on his brother’s face at James’ harsh rebuke.


James’ head spun in Brian’s direction and he challenged him with a stare too. He balled his fists at his side and stared back at Matt.


“Your mom told me what happened,” Matt said softly. He stood close, too close to James, so that only the three of them could hear what was said. James’ chest heaved with his barely contained agitation. “Don’t worry about it. It’s no skin off your back.”


Chapter 74