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

But I was more afraid of being alone. In spite of Tim saying I could stay with them, he could still throw me out if I refused. I’d learned the hard way that people could change their mindsin the blink of an eye. “O-okay.”


I gave him a hesitant smile, and he tugged a lock of my hair.


Tim made a phone call to set up the appointment. I was hoping the doctor would tell him we’d have to wait, that he was all booked up until next week or the week after, but no such luck.


“Doc’s a friend of mine. He’ll see you before office hours this morning. Get your jacket, Sweets, and let’s get going. It’ll take us a while to get to his office.”


I took my jacket from the little closet, and a roll fell out of the pocket and onto the floor.


He rubbed my shoulder, not asking for an explanation. “You might want to leave those home. Unless you want to take them along for a snack?”


Chapter 13