Easy-going Sebastien divides his time between working as a cleaning technician, caring for his widowed father, and running off to the park for soccer practice. Coasting through his existence, he's convinced he doesn't have much going for him.<br><br>That isn’t what his best friend Jack thinks. Quick-witted and passionate, Jack is fascinated by art and history, but the greatest book or painting could never compare to how he feels when he's alone with Sebastien.<br><br>In the last five years, Seb and Jack have shared everything, sometimes even a bed. Yet though their chemistry is smoking hot, Sebastien keeps Jack at a safe distance. But when the two move in together to lower their living expenses, that distance gets smaller and smaller, until Sebastien and Jack are standing so close, they can't see what's right in front of their eyes ... the love of their life.

Auguries of Summer

“Are you at the police station right now?”


“No, because they already picked up one of the guys and he told them everything. He was an ex-student of Valencia’s. Can you believe that shit?”


“You’re not hurt? You could have internal bleeding. You could have a concussion. You could have—”


“Jack, they didn’t hit me. I’m okay. I’m really all right.”


Amadeo now stood nearby, waiting. He was dressed in black, his eyes bright in the sheen of the lamppost light. I realized he looked a little like James Dean. He must have been quite the popular guy in his home town of Florence, him being a painter and all.


“Look, Amadeo’s gonna drive me home. I guess it’s better that way. I’m a little shook up. So, I’ll see you later?”


“Yes, I’m coming home right now. I’ll be there before you get there.” Jack inhaled sharply. “Are you sure you’re all right? You sound so calm. Toocalm. What if you’re in shock?”


Chapter 25