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

“With an offer like that,” Jason started, glanced at Andy, and didn’t finish the thought. “How fastcan you walk?” He swatted her lightly on the ass and Kat didn’t even say goodbye before she was giggling and running through the dining area, Jason hot on her heels.


Andy laughed, and yelled, “Make sure the door locks behind you!” before turning back to finish the last few dishes.


He was just placing the last glass on the drying rack when Scooter came up behind him, big hands sliding onto Andy’s shoulders to rub out the ache there. “Hey,” Scooter said, soft in his ear.


“Nnng,” Andy managed, dropping his head forward. “That’s nice.” It was more than nice, really, andthe way Scooter’s breath tickled the hair on Andy’s neck sent shivers down his spine, but…it’d beenalmost a week, and Andy was beginning to wonder if he’d imagined that kiss, or if Scooter had changed his mind. The fire had been a huge stress, but…Scooter could’ve at least said something, right?


Chapter 49