From the farms of Tennessee, Beau Watkins had it all in high school: the cute girl, the popular jock lifestyle, a loving family. As a rising freshman at an out-of-state college, he's determined to find out who he really is behind the fake it 'til you make it attitude. He joins Rainbow Connection, the gay student alliance, hoping to find himself. Instead, he meets Vin Reyes. Raised by his grandparents and the heir to a prosperous company, Vin has been out of the closet since he figured out what that meant. He has it all: fashionable clothing, fancy cars, huge houses, and a real party lifestyle, even a bodyguard. Most of all, he has a secret. Uncomfortable with Vin's generosity, Beau fights his growing attraction for the president of Rainbow Connection, instead chasing a series of shallow affairs. Vin's never been denied anything he wants, though, and now he wants Beau. But it isn’t until an old rival puts Beau in the hospital that Vin realizes Beau means more to him than a simple affair. Can the two of them bridge the gap between their worlds and roll with the all the punches life throws at them?

On a Roll

And here they came. Beau tracked four, no, there was a fifth who had skipped ahead to perch on a chair directly in Beau and Vin’s path.


“Hold this for a second, would you, Vin?” Beau handed Vin his drink cup. As far as Beau could tell, Vin hadn’t even glommed onto the incoming—how was that possible? Was he really that clueless? Or did he feel that same sheep-safe sense of security that most people did, and Beau was only noticing because he was on edge?


There went the out-stretched leg from the guy who’d dashed ahead, aiming to trip Vin and let him fall in the mess of leftover pasta and sauce. Without missing a beat, Beau kicked the guy in the back of the knee, steering the chattering Vin—still oblivious—around the obstruction.


A second guy, hands out as if to grab, appeared directly in their way. “Where d’you think…” Beau didn’t wait for him to finish.


Chapter 4