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

He gave me a look that told me he didn’t want any thanks. “I’ve routed the feeds for them—”


“The cameras are no good if you can’t see what they’ve taped. Anyway, I’ve routed them to your closet, Sweetcheeks. It seems to be the most organized. No offense, Pretty Boy, but I’veseen your closet.”


Pretty Boy gave a sniff. “My clothes aren’t wrinkled, and that’s the most important thing.”


“Yeah. I’ve set the tape to loop every twenty-four hours. I’d save them rather than tape over them, but that’s me. The TV and VCR are on the top shelf. Consider it a going-away gift.”


“Uh…thanks.” I didn’t bother asking how he’d gotten into the apartment to do that. He’d changed the lock, which had been guaranteed tamper-proof.


“This is a rough business, and I don’t want to read in the paper that one of you got hurt.”


“But you’re here to protect us.” Pretty Boy flirted his lashes at him.


Chapter 28