John Dornbrook is forty-nine years old. He's been doing the same job for fifteen years and hates it. But when he’s laid-off, it hits him hard and his world turns upside down. When he meets Hollis Lombard, his neighbor’s grandson, the unexpected happens.<br><br>Hollis Lombard is determined to get John out of his funk, so he offers to take him on a summer road trip. They head out west in search of adventure, but John is touchy and lashes out easily. Hollis, aware of the attraction between them, doesn’t want to take any chances which could hurt their budding friendship.<br><br>It's all a frightful muddle, and it remains to be seen if they can overcome their issues in time to reach their final destination. Will the journey be worth it?

Unexpected Journey

I took a cab back to the motel and asked the guy at the front desk for a spare keycard to the room. He made me pay him ten bucks, the greedy bastard, before he handed it over.


As quietly as possible, I unlocked the door and stepped inside. Hollis was fast asleep in the fetal position on top of the blankets on the bed I’d claimed as mine. He wore one of my T-shirts, and I could see dried tears on his cheeks.


I leaned against the door and felt my heart flip over. He looked so vulnerable there, and I wanted to keep him safe and guard the innocence he still seemed to retain after the shitstorm of his childhood. I soundlessly grabbed my bag and walked into the bathroom, shutting the door so I wouldn’t disturb him as I showered.


Chapter 12