Noah grew up with Charlie. They’d always been friends, if not close. Noah becomes the only friend that sticks around after Charlie practically becomes a hermit. Determined to get through to Charlie, Noah invents an identity on the computer. And while Charlie still keeps Noah at arm's length, he opens up to his new computer buddy. Noah's dream finally comes true when his friendship with Charlie changes to include sex, but each time they are together, Charlie withdraws afterward. Every time Noah tries to get through to him, Charlie grows even more distant. Then Charlie tells Noah's disguised internet persona that he doesn't have a boyfriend, merely a neighbor with whom he has sex. Crushed and heartbroken, Noah thinks it’s time to give up and forget Charlie ever loving him the way he loves Charlie. But is pulling away from Charlie too much for Noah to take?

Pulling Away

Noah blew out a breath. “Did you hear what I said?”


“Sure, you bought a sex toy.” Charlie finally turned to look at him. “Look, Noah, I don’t want to be rude or anything, but I’m kind of tired tonight. I just want to veg in front of the computer, okay?”


Noah swallowed disappointment. All right, so Charlie had dismissed him two nights in a row. No big deal. “No problem,” he somehow managed to say.


Charlie smiled. “Thanks. Call me tomorrow.”


The pathetic thing was, Noah probably would. He sort of waved, but doubted Charlie even saw it because he’d gone back to the damn online game. Noah was really starting to hate that thing.


It was only just after six, but being December it was already dark outside. Not that Noah was afraid of the neighborhood or anything. Having lived in this particular Los Angeles suburb for so many years, he knew it was safe. But it was also unusually chilly, so he ran to the house across the street and two doors down from Charlie’s.


Chapter 2