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

“Good one,” Vin said. Camilla bounced cheekily and flipped him off as she left the room.


Beau took another swallow of wine, feeling pleasantly warm and comfortable. There was something nice about the sibling-like interaction between Vin and his household staff, something that made the whole weird, rich vibe a little less discomforting. And he was suddenly staring, confused, into the empty bottom of his cup.


“Here, let me top that off for you,” Vin said. “You drink like a pro.”


“Um, thanks?” The wine tasted better with every sip. The room was rocking back and forth pleasantly and without really thinking much about it, Beau leaned against Vin, drawing his friend’s arm around his shoulder. On the screen, a man in a dirty shirt was threatening someone with a gun. When had Vin turned on the television? Beau decided it didn’t matter.


Chapter 41