Shawn Lane

Kevin Flaherty’s life really sucks. Laid off from his job and facing homelessness, he doesn’t think things can get worse. Forced to work a low-paying job at a car wash, he’s embarrassed to even tell his closest friends. Hotshot lawyer Michael Bennett comes in to have his Maserati cleaned. Kevin knows Michael well. When Kevin was fifteen, an openly gay twenty-one-year-old Michael was Kevin’s dream man. But when the teenaged Kevin made a move, Michael rejected the then too young Kevin. But nine years have passed, and Michael is surprised at how gorgeous and haughty Kevin has become. When he learns of Kevin’s situation, a smitten Michael makes it his job to clean up the disaster Kevin’s life has become. But his take-charge, bossy attitude rubs sensitive Kevin the wrong way. Things look dismal for Kevin once more, but can he find a way to let Michael see the true beauty behind his sass?

Car Wash

“Hey, beautiful,” Kevin said, forcing a cheerful note into his voice he definitely did not feel.


“Listen, babe, I hate to cancel on you and all, but I can’t make it over tonight.” Noah had invited him a week or so ago to come over and have dinner and maybe play some poker. Kevin wanted to go, but without his motorcycle he really couldn’t find a way to get to Charlie’s house. The stops for the city buses were just too far.


Kevin felt bad. He heard the disappointment in his friend’s voice. He’d canceled a lot lately on plans they had. He closed his eyes. Sooner or later he would have to admit he’d lost his job. He knew he would. “Yeah. Sorry, babe, something’s come up.”


“You guessed it. I can’t pass up a chance to get laid, now can I?” The levity in his voice sounded forced even to him. But, man, the perkiness was tough today.


Chapter 3