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

“I don’t suppose you speak the gift language,” Scooter said, peering into his tiny freezer. “All I’ve got in here is a very sad-looking bag of frozen broccoli.”


Andy grimaced, an endless parade of gifts marching behind his eyes. He knew gifts for you were late and I threw your laptop across the room and I didn’t mean to humiliate you in front of a room full of peopleand I didn’t want to hurt you but you just make me so damn mad. He even knew a few for I need you to be grateful and fawning. He wasn’t sure how to say I’m sorry I didn’t trust you.


On the other hand, Kat had always been very clear about how best to suck up to her. “How do you not have any chocolate or wine up here?” Andy wondered. “I’d think you’d just keep a stash ready at all times.”


Chapter 76