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

“You still asleep?” Mason asked softly.


Climbing into the bed, Mason propped himself


up on an elbow and leaned down to kiss his boyfriend on the cheek.


“I know you don’t feel the same, but I’ve fallen in love with you,


Parker Collins.” Mason sniffed back a tear.


The first thing Mason became aware of when


his mind began to drift into wakefulness was the smell of bacon.


Opening his eyes, he quickly closed them again. The drapes had been


drawn back, letting in the morning sunlight, which at that


elevation and time of year, meant the sun was shining directly into


his eyes. He didn’t have long, however, to gather his wits before


“Rise and shine,” Parker announced in an


“After nine, and the day is half over.”


Mason still had his eyes shut, wondering who


had stolen his boyfriend and replaced him with this


“I made breakfast,” Parker said, when Mason


Chapter 16