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

Hec, though, had other thoughts, leaving himself draped over Beau’s limp form. “Well, that was just lovely.” He rubbed his face in Beau’s blond curls. “You?”


“I don’t know,” Beau said. “I mean, I enjoyed it and all, but…I was expecting…”


“Whips, chains, leather, and candle wax?”


“Nah, I only break out the stocks on the second date.”


Beau laughed, patted Hector’s arm fondly. “Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.”6


“No. You have to go back and tell them no.” Ann-Marie, blonde, gigantic, and furious, planted her hands on her hips and scowled.


Vin put on his best polite-human-being face. “You want me to demand that the school let us have an ‘offensive’ float?” He was tired of this argument. Like somehow this was his fault. As if he should be able to just magically wave a money-wand and fix everything.


That’s what you get for being in charge, he told himself.


Chapter 16