Andy Howard dropped out of college to get away from his abusive father. When his longtime boyfriend reveals similar tendencies, Andy refuses to endure another moment of it, running away with nothing more than the cash in his pockets. He makes it to Virginia, where he's taken in by Scooter Stahl, a restaurant owner looking for an extra hand who's willing to be paid cash under the table.<br><br>Scooter's been struggling for years: to keep the beachside restaurant he inherited from his parents above water (both financially and literally); to live down the fact that he's gay in a small southern town; to get over the man who's owned his heart since he was fourteen. But he's never had to struggle as hard as he is now, to keep his hands off Andy.

Nights in Sandbridge

Maybe it was because Scooter was safe—he’d been very clear about his rules, the lack of intent toward Andy. Andy could fantasize, and it was harmless. Not risking anything.


Except of course that every time Andy looked at Scooter, now, he couldn’t help thinking about it. Couldn’t help wanting. Couldn’t help feeling the press of Scooter’s arm around his shoulders, which seemed to be happening more and more often, now that he knew Andy wouldn’t shake him off. When Scooter had put a hand on Andy’s hip to steady him, earlier, Andy had damn near popped a stiffie for all the world to see. Well, the part of the world that had been standing on the beach watching, anyhow: a gaggle of kids and his co-workers, which somehow made it worse.


So now Scooter was just on the other side of a flimsy, slightly warped door, naked and wet and…touchinghimself (Not that way. Probably. Maybe. Hopefully.) and Andy…Yeah, Andy was so, so screwed.


Chapter 22