Marcus was just passing through Texas when he met Kent. In his cowboy hat, low-riding jeans, and black boots, Kent looks like the type of guy Marcus desperately wants to love.<br><br>But two years later, he's discovered Kent is cold and distant, the quintessential American cowboy, and spends more time drunk than sober. Marcus can never predict his mood and blames himself for the flailing relationship.<br><br>Then, one day when Kent rides into town, Marcus finds a young runaway hiding in their barn. Luke is warm, loving, and quick to please ... everything Kent is not. Though the answer seems obvious, Marcus finds himself torn between the boy who demands his love and the man whose love he craves.

Cowboy

When I close the fridge, I hear Kent’s


drunken slur from outside, and at first I’m almost sure he’s


talking to me. “I don’t like you, kid,” he says loudly, as if he


wants me to overhear. Me?I want to ask, my heart in my


throat—that would make it so easy, wouldn’t it? If he didn’t like


me anymore, if he wanted me to leave, he’d be making the decision


But he’s not talking to me. He means Luke, I


realize this when he adds, “I don’t like freeloaders.” His words


fade in and out like the tide, and I tiptoe up to the screen door


so I can hear better. From his spot against the railing, Luke


glances up at me before turning his attention back to Kent, who


can’t see me where I’m standing. “You run off from home,” he’s


saying, “that’s your business. Don’t bring it in here. Just keep


Luke doesn’t respond—what’s there to say?


I don’t like you…I fiddle with the tab on the top of the


Chapter 51