Woodrow “Woody” Anker is an 28 legend -- the boy who lived. Orphaned at the age of three due to a car accident that killed his parents, Woody is taken in by the Zumpano family. He becomes best friends with Serge, the youngest boy, and looks up to Rafe, the oldest. As the years go by, Woody’s feelings for Rafe change into something else entirely. Except, Rafe is straight. And in denial about his alcohol abuse.<br><br>Rafe Zumpano, now the town Sherriff and Lothario-extraordinaire has been a heavy drinker since his teens, and it’s getting worse. He’s got a secret that he drinks away every night, but when the truth finally comes out, it ruins everything.<br><br>It will take a lot for both men to move beyond alcohol-fueled vitriol, self-doubt, and internalized homophobia to get to the part where they stop throwing punches and have their happy ending.

Norwegian Woody

Serge blushed. “Come on, it’s not that bad.”


“You’ve been obsessed with this guy’s cooking since he opened that place a few years ago. And I’ve seen the man. He’s wicked hot. Ask him out.”


My best friend’s eyes became saucers. “No way, man. I’m so out of his league. He studied in Paris and Belgium. He has a successful business. Look at me. I’m starting from the ground up. I have nothing to offer a guy like that.” Though, from the faraway look in his eyes, I bet Serge wished he did.


“Don’t give up when you haven’t even tried yet. Something will turn up. You’ll see.”


“This is why I love you like a brother. You make my head swell even when you’re lying through your teeth.”


I kicked his ankle and finished my pie.


As Serge played with his pie crust, he casually said, “I saw the sheriff as I was leaving the bakery this afternoon.” Serge had stopped using his brother’s name in conversation. I didn’t blame him, but it saddened me.


Chapter 8