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

Dimly, in the background, Beau heard Chris taking out his rage on the truck. Glass shattered. The bat wreaked havoc on headlights, left dents in the body. Beau let his eyes slip shut and went away.


He woke up cold and moaning. Shivering made his wounds scream with agony, but he couldn’t stop shivering. He fumbled his hand down, looking for his jacket pocket. His clothing was wet and sticky. Phone, phone. There. He drew in a breath as his fingers closed over the device. Unlocking his phone took more energy than he thought he had left. He touched speed-dial.


“Hmmmm?” The voice was muzzy and sleep-filled.


“Could. Use. Some help.” Beau managed to say. He coughed, wet and bubbling, tearing pain through his back and ribs.


“Beau?” Sharper, panic lancing through the sleep.


“East Franklin lot.” Beau let the phone slip from his grasp. It clattered against the pavement. “Help.”


Chapter 36