Two men trapped in an elevator are about to discover they have more in common than the inconvenience of lost time. Dr. Mason Grant recognizes Parker Collins, whom he had loved during their senior year in high school, but Parker does not immediately recognize Mason. Maybe it’s the passage of time that has dulled his memory ... or maybe it’s the wheelchair in which Mason is confined. As the two wait to be rescued, Mason recalls their six month love affair -- its uncertain beginning, its athletic highs both on and off the field, its romantic peacefulness spent at the Grant’s remote lake cabin, as well as its painful lows and horrific conclusion. The teenage Mason realized there were two sides to his lover -- the confident Parker, an athletic hero popular with both teammates and female students, and the private Parker, who is unsure, sexually submissive, and needs to be cuddled and petted. All Mason wanted then was for Parker to love him, and not diminish what they shared by giving in to the social pressures that demanded he play out the role of football jock and studly lady killer. Now that they’re grown men, what happens when Parker sees past Mason’s wheelchair and realizes who’s trapped in the elevator with him?

Trapped Nerves

“Here we are,” Parker said, stopping outside


a heavy, solid-looking door. “This is home.”


The inside of the apartment was clean, but


cheaply furnished with mismatched second hand items. Mason made a


determined effort not to stare too obviously at his


“Mom has to work two jobs, and she won’t get


back till later,” Parker said, hobbling to the kitchen. Climbing


the stairs seemed to have made his pain worse.


“I’ll dish up, you go and sit down,” Mason


said, seeing how uncomfortable it was for Parker to remain


“You sure you shouldn’t have seen the coach


“It’s my ass. Nah, I’ll go to bumps and


bruises on Sunday morning. Once I’ve soaked in the tub, I’ll be


Mason sighed, knowing this wouldn’t have been


the first time Parker had sustained such injuries.


“Come on, bud, get that food over here.”


“Sorry.” Mason looked in a couple of


Chapter 5