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

Since Jason had his sketchbook out anyway, he took advantage of what he called “the artistic lighting” and started roughing out the room and everyone in it. The conversation continued in fits andstarts, more quietly now, until Arthur fell asleep in his chair and then startled awake at another crash.


“Time for bed,” Scooter said, nudging at Andy. “Get up. You’ve put my legs to sleep.”


“You and Andy can take the guest room,” Kat said. “And there are sleeping bags and air mattresses in the closet.”


“I’m sleeping on the sofa,” Arthur said, nearly pushing his sister on the floor until she vacated her spot, dragging D’ante with her to go pick through Kat’s sleeping supplies.


“Take Trick with you,” Jason told Andy. “He can probably do without a walk tonight, but if he has to sleep in that crate, he’ll keep us all up complaining.”


Chapter 88