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

Tucker was in orange briefs and nothing else. Chad had his hands on them, about to take them down. Things were obviously about to progress. Herb Alpert was next on the mix tape that Chad had made: one they’d listened to dozens of times. Some of the 45’s were damaged over the years, some Roy had and some of Tucker’s, from the heat and cold in the van. But Chad had managed to replace the songs that had meant the most to them.


Just as “You see this guy…” started, a knock came on the door.


“I can’t answer the door with a hard-on,” Chad said.


“It’s Roy, Scooter. I was going to ask Tucker to lunch.”


“What do you think?” Chad asked it with his eyebrows and a twist of the head, not really in words.


“Hey, Animal,” Roy said, zeroing in on the pointed bulge in the crotch of Tucker’s underpants. “What you doing home, Red?” He stepped back and glanced at Chad, bare-chested, obviously aroused.


Chapter 101