Six years ago, Jarrett Kessel helped his best friend’s little brother deal with his family’s rejection when he came out. He saw potential in the tempestuous teenager. Talent. Then, they both moved on with their lives.<br><br>Now, the FBI needs Jarrett’s help. Sketch artist Eli Locke is their only lead in finding a killer, but he’s nowhere to be found. Though the Feds are convinced Jarrett is the best way to lure him out, he’s not so sure. Until they show him the web comic Eli has created, with a superhero who bears a striking resemblance to Jarrett.<br><br>When Eli gets an email out of the blue from the man who changed his life, he doesn’t even consider saying no to a meeting. Jarrett is even more amazing than he remembers, and the fact that he’s all right being the role model for the one thing that means the most to Eli is just icing on the cake. But the truth about the murder comes out, and even though he had nothing to do with it, Eli wants to run. It’s up to Jarrett to keep him from ruining his life for good, before the killer finds them both and does it first ...

Outlined in Ink

“We have a lot of getting to know each other to do,” he said. “I don’t think this week counts except to prove we can work together in a time of crisis.”


Eli’s rich laughter rang out. “I think you mean it proves you can put up with my bullshit long enough to keep us from turning into the five o’clock news.”


“You sell yourself short. Your bullshit is surprisingly entertaining.”


Jarrett caught Eli’s hand and pressed it flat against his leg, forcing him to pay attention to the sincerity of his next few words. “I haven’t wanted to spend time with someone the way I do with you, for a very long time. When I say we have a lot to learn about each other, it’s because I’ve spent the past twenty-four hours wondering how I got so blindsided, so fast. Because it’s not just about how hot you are. It’s about who you are, too. Who you’ve become, even if you can’t see it. I want to be a part of that.”


Chapter 70