Michael Carmac is a small-town cop on the verge of a breakdown. After a split-second decision leaves an innocent child dead, Michael's reality unravels. Suffering from PTSD, he finds comfort in a bottle while struggling to find forgiveness.<br><br>Fellow officer Bertram Angel offers Michael support, and what starts as friendship turns into something deeper. Can the two men find love, forgiveness, and acceptance while moving forward and healing wounds that don't always show?

The Incident

“Sorry. You’ve got chocolate all over your face,” Michael said with a smile.


“Where?” Angel asked as he wiped the back of his hand across his face. “Did I get it?”


Michael leaned toward Angel, the cold pie plate the only thing between them. Michael’s heart was pounding and he could feel Angel’s breath soft on his face.


“No, it’s like right by your mouth, on the right,” Michael said.


Somewhere a night bird called out and the only reply was the incessant symphony coming from the insects in the neighboring woods, but Michael didn’t hear anything except his own tormented thoughts clashing against his physical desires. Sweat had begun to run down his back and he shivered as he felt his spine twitch with excitement.


“Did I get it?” Angel asked, making another swipe at his face.


Chapter 16