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

“I suggest we eat dinner,” Jesse said, hopping to his feet. “You will stay, won’t you, Malcom.”


“Of course, if Rob doesn’t mind. As I said, it’s Leah’s cooking that kept me coming back even after I figured out what you were doing, Jesse.”


“I’m okay with it,” Rob said. “I promise not to pick a fight with you.”


“You could try, but I won’t respond,” Malcom said. “I’ll admit, I might be the only one in the family who’s glad to know where you are, and that you’re all right, but I am. Glad, I mean.”


“Promise not to let the rest of them know,” Rob replied darkly. “I lived with Mom and Dad’s hate for too long before I walked away. Yeah, they didn’t kick me out, you know that, but for damned sure they wanted to. Remember what happened a few days after I told them? Or the night I came home late and they laid into me…”


“Because they were sure you’d been out picking up some guy.” Malcom’s scowl matched Rob’s. “They were hateful and I’m sorry.”


Chapter 25