Even the nicest of guys can decide to cut loose at some point, especially if he's at college and a frat brother invites him to a party. Unfortunately, that can end quite badly. Luckily for Dante ap Owen, it doesn't -- until he keeps needing to piss every few minutes and he sees blood in his urine. Another stroke of luck for him is the substitute professor, also a medical doctor he’s been crushing on, who happens to be there when he passes out in class and pushes him to come to his clinic.<br><br>But Dante and his beloved, critically ill mother are under the control of his bitter uncle, who also provides health insurance. If his uncle finds out Dante is being treated for anything, let alone what Dante fears is an STD, he's ... Dante doesn't want to think about that. So he flees the clinic before he has to make a follow-up appointment.<br><br>The good doctor shows up at his uncle's farm when phone calls do nothing. And when Dante's uncle invites the doctor to dinner and serves a meal worthy of Medea, the doctor urges Dante and his mother to leave. But will they? And will Dante realize the doctor wants him as much as he wants the doctor?

So Let Us Rejoice

“Dante?” Warm fingers gently slapped my cheek.


“Stop manhandling me,” I grumbled. I opened my eyes to look into startlingly blue eyes. “Dr. Autry?”


“Yes. Are you all right?” Those eyes actually appeared concerned, which was rather nice.


“I’m…Uh…I need to use the restroom.”


Fortunately, he didn’t say again? “Are you steady enough on your feet? Beekman, help Mr. ap Owen to the men’s room.”


How come all of a sudden I was Mr. ap Owen and not Dante?


“Because the entire class is watching,” he said softly, and I wanted to bang my head against the desk.


“I said that out loud, didn’t I?”


“I’m afraid so. Go on. I’ll talk to you after class.”


“Come on, ap Owen. I don’t have all day to babysit you.” What was Beekman pissed about?


I frowned at him. Come to think of it, he’d been at that party a week and a half ago—that was his name—and I vaguely remembered him being awfully chummy then.


Chapter 12