Bill Cascade knows what it’s like to have nothing, so it’s easy for him to recognize another human being on the brink. When Bill visits his favorite bar one night, he comes across Thorn Blackstone, a twenty-something hottie who has everyone eating out of his hand. A fight breaks out and Bill comes to the rescue. Thorn, however, doesn’t want Bill’s help and pushes him away, at first.<br><br>When Thorn finally shows up on Bill’s doorstep, he’s dirty, hostile, and starving. Bill ignores all of that and gives Thorn a chance to start over. Trouble is, Bill wants Thorn for his own, but thinks he isn’t good enough for someone with such a bright future ahead of him. Naturally, Thorn thinks that’s hogwash.<br><br>What’s a guy to do when the love of his life won’t take no for an answer? Hold on and never let go.

He's So Heavy

I attempted to soothe him. “Don’t worry about paying me back right now. When you get a job, and start earning cash, then we’ll talk about it.” But I wouldn’t take his money, no matter what.


He deflated. “I…I don’t know what to say. Things like this don’t happen to me. Ever.” He picked at a hole in his shorts, pulling on the thread.


“Well, they do now. Let me shower right quick, and we’ll go eat.” I left him there and returned ten minutes later in a short-sleeved polo shirt, pants, and sandals. “Ready?”


“I love it out here,” I said as we sauntered along in the late-afternoon sun, people scattered about in the distance on the beach. “I’d never even seen such a large body of water before I arrived here. It’s so peaceful, compared to what I was used to on the streets. It seemed so…clean, you know?”


Chapter 8