Change comes to all of us. For Theo Bascopolis, the first time is when he's fifteen. He finds his life falling apart when his father discovers Theo is gay and orders him to become straight or leave. Having no choice, in spite of what his father might think, Theo leaves. But where can a fifteen-year-old go? Especially when it starts to rain. He thinks things are looking up when he meets a striking man named Franky, who seems very attracted to him. However, once again Theo's life changes when he learns all Franky wants is for him to hustle. And so Theo becomes the rent boy Sweetcheeks. However, Franky underestimates Sweetcheeks, and the results of the ensuing fight sees Sweetcheeks fleeing to Washington DC, where he crosses paths with a group of rent boys who take him in. Finally Sweetcheeks has a family, a home, and an additional source of income in the form of apartments they're able to rent out. His life changes again a few years later when a mysterious tenant by the name of Mark Vincent becomes the reason behind the assault on one of Sweetcheeks's boys. Vincent visits the boy in the hospital, bringing with him his equally enigmatic trainee, William Matheson. The instant attraction blindsides Sweetcheeks. In spite of knowing love isn't for rent boys, he hopes Matheson can see beyond the body he's offered to so many. But Matheson has secrets of his own. Can Sweetcheeks overcome his insecurities enough to believe in the quiet man who's come into his life? Can Matheson keep his actual occupation a secret without it jeopardizing their budding relationship?

Pick Up the Pieces

The nightmare woke me the next morning—the fear and the knife and the blood. I lay there panting and shuddering, my hair clinging damply to my neck from the nervous sweat.


A soft snuffle to my right startled me, almost causing me to tumble off the bed and onto to the floor. I glanced cautiously in that direction.


It was Paul, the rent boy known as Pretty Boy. He was curled on his side, sound asleep. In his arms he cuddled a ratty stuffed dog.


I swallowed and licked my lips. My heart rate was slowing, and I needed to use the bathroom. I eased out of bed and padded down the hall.


The apartment was dim and very quiet. When I was finished, I flushed, washed my hands, and splashed some water on my face.


I couldn’t go back to bed, even though the nightmare had quickly faded. I wandered into the kitchen.


A Mr. Coffee was on the counter. I rummaged around until I found the filters and the coffee.


Chapter 12