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

“I’ll be in touch with you as soon as I get the results. If you’ve been using condoms…” I looked away, and he sighed. “You kids think you’re invulnerable. I’ll put a rush on this. Get dressed now, Sweet…. What is your name?”


He sighed again. “Very well. Get dressed, Sweetcheeks, and we’ll get Tim in here.”


Tim was reading a People magazine. He put it down and rose. “Everything okay, Sweets?”


My lip quivered. Before I’d left Florida, I’d never thought about my health, but now…. Franky was the only one who took me without a condom. Had he used one when he’d had sex with Jaybird? I started to feel sick again. I remembered that last night, when he’d smelled of sex. Could he have given me an STD? Or worse, AIDS?


Dr. Rosen pointed it out, and I made a dash for it, getting to the toilet just in time to vomit up the breakfast I’d enjoyed making.


Chapter 14