Bridges Barfield is a man of rigid standards and stern demeanor. He finds it hard to relax and accept new things, though he gives it his best. He’s still recovering from the end of a bad relationship, but he’s not letting it stop him from searching for love. Then he meets Trenton LeDoux and they hit it off, despite their differences. Meaning, Trenton’s magenta hair, lip ring, and free spirit.<br><br>Trenton is forthright, refreshing, and not afraid to go after what he wants. But the fact that he can’t seem to get past his grief and possible guilt over his husband’s death makes it difficult to move forward. It doesn’t help that Bridges suffers from foot-in-mouth syndrome, which earns him a slap across the face when he says the wrong thing to Trenton. Which is often.<br><br>When they finally get beyond the angry words, will their union be truly heartfelt?

Heavy Metal Heartfelt Blues

“Ten years.” His response was clipped.


What the hell had happened here, I wondered.


In a short time, there were two steaming cups of tea in front of us as we sat at the table. I sipped, not sure what to say or how to act since Trenton seemed so subdued and off-kilter now that he was in this house. It was strange.


“Everything okay?” I ventured after five minutes of nothing but silence. “I can call a cab if you want me to go. I don’t want to cause you discomfort or—”


He cut me off. “I’m sorry, Bridges. Maybe it’s too soon.”


My brow furrowed. “What’s too soon?”


He gestured in a vague way. “This house belonged to my husband. I moved in with him before we got married in Iowa. He died a year ago. I thought I was ready to date again, but…”


Ah. “Is that why the walls are bare?”


He nodded, though I could tell there was more to the story. “Everything reminded me of him, and I couldn’t bear it. Especially since his death was my fault.”


I was shocked into saying, “You can’t mean…”


Chapter 3