Brad can’t believe his luck when he finds the perfect place to live at the perfect price. It’s a pity his new landlord Douglas is such a miserable grump. It isn’t long before he wonders if it’s a good idea to be living in such close proximity to such a moody ogre.<br><br>Fortunately, his life at work is looking up with the arrival of a new employee named Enzo. Brad falls immediately in lust with the hot Italian. They start dating, though it soon becomes apparent there are going to be problems. Enzo starts exhibiting some unlikeable traits and, while Brad finds himself slowly falling in love with the man, he also realizes Enzo has problems not just with commitment, but also with his sexuality.<br><br>Brad has a dilemma. Does he persist with Enzo, tolerate his bad behavior, and pray for a miraculous, happy ending? Or will the love he seeks come from an entirely different direction?

The Grump

“I want the same thing you want, Brad. I want to feel close to someone, but there’s all this…this conflict going on inside me. I want to love another man, but I’m worried about what my family will think. And if I get close to someone and something happens, I’m scared of getting hurt.” He ran his hand through his hair. “I don’t feel like I can live my own life. Like I said, my mother hasn’t got over my divorce yet. She reckons she never will. Imagine what she’d do if she found out I’m a faggot.”


Brad grimaced. “Do you have to use that word? It’s so…abrasive.”


“Queer, then. Gay. It’s all the same to me.” Enzo looked at Brad. “What about you? Tell me something about you.”


Brad hadn’t finished processing all that Enzo had told him. He had, however, finally discovered the source of Enzo’s rage. The reason for his constant need to hide his feelings and the reason those same feelings came out in other, less savoury, ways.


Chapter 17