Three young men from very different homes, just coming into their own sexuality, bond at a time when information about homosexuality is scarce to the average teen. Their strong connection cannot survive high school and heartache, however, and their triangle collapses under the weight of prejudice and a need to escape.<br><br>Ten years later, Tucker is bitter and hurt by all the tragedy in his life since those long ago happier days. Reclusive, somewhat animalistic, and completely content to stay that way, he’s brought up short by an unexpected confrontation with the past and feelings that won't stay buried.

Fur, Feathers, and Claws

But less than a minute later, he was ready to do it. Roy let him take charge. He shuddered when Tucker went under his shirt and rubbed up and down his taut belly—in the line of fur he’d come to dream about at night and would wake up hard over. Tucker pulled Roy’s shirt off over his head. He kissed his way down Roy’s chest, between the pectoral muscles, down the center rib bone, as the rain pounded against the metal roof of the van and the calico hid underneath it to stay dry.


“Yup.” Tucker kissed right down the trail that fascinated him, the tip of his tongue wetting the short strands, tasting them, feeling the slight prickliness against his tongue. “She’ll stay dry as a bone.”


“It’s weird how the animals come all the way out here from your house. Like they know where to find you, always.”


Chapter 42