Abe Cooper is starting over. For fifteen years he's lived the life that was expected of him, but not anymore. He's packed up his things, bought himself a cabin in Northfield, and managed to secure a job at the local high school teaching gym and coaching the football team. But his new beginning didn't include running into Crazy Joe on his first trip to the grocery store.<br><br>Jonas Raghnall has everything he needs -- good friends and a job he loves. He's worked hard to get over what happened sixteen years ago, but one run-in with his past and all the memories come flooding back. Seeing Abe Cooper, The Abe Cooper, sets everything out of balance.<br><br>Abe had pictured a fresh start with no ties to his past, but now that Jonas is there, he wants nothing more than to be close to the man who had butterflies filling his belly when he was in high school. Jonas doesn't want to come face to face with his past, but if he sees Abe every day, it's not really meeting up with your past, is it? It's more like a date with your future.

Crazy Joe

Abe waved at the kid but kept an eye on Jonas. “Do you want to go grab a cup of coffee?”


“I’m…eh…” He ran a hand through his hair, and Abe tried not to smile. “I don’t know.”


Abe nodded at the kid, who looked like he wanted to be anywhere but where he was. “I think we need to talk.”


“So after work, yeah? We could go out for a pizza.” Abe grinned and did his best to look relaxed. He was asking Jonas out…again. Last time—He blocked the memory as soon as it began to form. “Come on, Jonas. You need to eat, right?”


“Erm…see you later, Mr. Raghnall.” The kid waved and backed away.


“See you later, Kenji. And don’t let anyone else try to take your part, you’re my Romeo.” Jonas winked and Abe could’ve sworn the kid grew several inches.


He took a step closer, wanting to inhale the scent of Jonas, and lowered his voice. “Does six work for you?”


Chapter 7