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

He didn’t entirely remember getting back to his apartment after the party—everything was fuzzy with exhaustion and vodka and Scooter. He vaguely remembered an arm around his waist, half-holding him up asthey’d stumbled along the walkway from Scooter’s door to his. Had Trick gotten out then? Had he been out all night? Shit, shit, shit.


Andy grabbed a shirt at random and reached for the door, freezing as he realized he hadn’t locked the door or set the chain the night before. His heart started pounding, and he felt like he might throw up. He’d been completely unprotected all night, sleeping and—


Stop it, he told himself firmly. Nothing happened. You’re fine. You have to find Trick.


Right. Trick. Who had probably gotten out at—what, two in the morning?—and had therefore been runningalong the beach for…Andy checked the clock, and another jolt of panic slashed through him. He was hours late, the lunch rush was probably already done. Why hadn’t anyone woken him?


Chapter 33