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

“Like I know shit about beer,” Beau said. He leaned in closer, sneaking an arm around Vin’s waist.


More customers boarded, mostly het-couples, and one large gaggle of women for a bachelorette party, most of whom were already three sheets and the drinks kept on rolling in. The pirate crew, in addition to being costumed actors, apparently also knew how to sail, because they got the ship ready and out into the lake in short order.


“Are they actually using the wind?”


Beau put his hand against the railing. “Probably they have a motor; we wouldn’t want to get stranded out in the middle of the lake, right? I mean, we only paid for a three-hour tour.”


Vin choked on his pot sticker. “I ain’t playing Gilligan to your Skipper, Beau.”


Chapter 70