Two men with nothing in common except friendship. One man is Darren Cameron, a cop who patrols the streets nightly. After his divorce -- because he revealed to his wife he was gay -- he gained full custody of his son, Jesse. Jesse is now twenty-one, living with his girlfriend, and trying to play matchmaker between his landlord, Malcom, and Darren. The other is Rob, a homeless war veteran living on the streets, who has adamantly resists all Darren's efforts to help him start his life over. When Rob is attacked, Darren finally has what he needs to help his friend get off the streets. Despite Rob's wariness, he moves into Darren’s home under the guise of protective custody ... much to Jesse's dismay. Can Darren and Rob handle what comes next, including their growing attraction for each other? Or will Rob ultimately reject Darren's help and return to his former life?

Lonesome Men

Darren helped him take out the sofa, a dresser, and the small kitchen table, replying as he did, “If he isn’t, he isn’t. Jesse, in case you haven’t gotten it, I’m not in the market for a housemate once you’re gone. Even if I was, and if I found him interesting, and vice versa, he lives here because he owns the building so—” he looked hard at his son as they carried the sofa into the lobby, “—he’s out as a housemate. Yeah, maybe I’ll date, if I find someone who might be interested. That might not happen. I’m well past dating age, and I’m a cop. Not exactly the greatest combination.” He smiled wryly. “Ask Nigel about the cop part. That’s the reason things only lasted a few months.”


“Yeah, well Nigel was an idiot. The next guy you meet won’t be. You’re older and wiser now.”


“Yep. Wise enough to know I won’t find someone for anything other than companionship for dinner or a movie.”


“Not with that attitude,” Jesse muttered.


Chapter 7