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

“I don’t remember it,” Vin said. His voice was hollow, far away.


“That doesn’t mean it’s not affecting you.”


“I spent a while in state care, and then the police found my grandparents. I knew she was dead; I didn’t know she was murdereduntil Marlin showed me the newspaper articles about it.”


Beau wormed his way into the circle of Vin’s arms, pulled him close. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”


Vin shuddered, then flung his arms around Beau’s neck and started to sob. Great choking, tearing sounds of grief, anger, anguish. Beau crushed Vin to his chest, holding on as tight as he could, letting Vin cry, murmuring nonsense words of such comfort as he could find, nothing sensible, just soothing Vin with his voice, his concern.


Chapter 55