Schoolteacher Julian Reynolds is disillusioned with the seedier side of gay life in New York City with its self-absorption, vanity, and preoccupation with sex. When his long-time relationship with his high school sweetheart ends, he returns to his hometown and vows to live a simple life free of the extremes of the gay lifestyle and romantic entanglements. With that end in mind, he rents the carriage house next door to a large Tudor-style home.<br><br>Tate Butler, a former student of Julian’s, lives in the big house with his mother. Tate is bitter and withdrawn after losing a leg while serving in the Marine Corps during the war in Afghanistan. Fearing rejection from his mother and blaming himself for his father’s death, Tate stays firmly in the closet and punishes himself by refusing to learn how to walk again.<br><br>Can Tate and Julian help heal each other’s pasts and forge a real and lasting future together? Or will the driveway that separates their houses prove too wide a gulf to cross?

The Marine Next Door

“I know it must be difficult,” Julian said. Without thinking he laid his hand on Tate’s leg. Tate didn’t pull away.


“Gross, huh?” Tate said looking down at Julian’s hand on his thigh.


“No.” Julian gave Tate’s leg a squeeze. “You need to focus on what you’ve got, not that small part of you that’s missing.”


“Tate, you’re handsome, Lord knows you’ve the body of a Greek god. You’re bright. I remember you to be witty and fun to have in class. Those things haven’t changed just because part of your leg is gone. You’re still the same person you were before the accident.”


Tate raised his head and stared toward the windows. It seemed to Julian he wanted to say something. Finally he turned his head and looked into Julian’s eyes. Julian saw longing edged with fear on the young man’s handsome face.


Chapter 18