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

Late the following week, JR called. “Hi, Theo. I hope I haven’t called at a bad time.”


“Not at all. Wills isn’t home yet.”


I could hear his sigh over the line. “I tried calling him at work, but it went to voice mail. Ileft him a message, but I had to talk to someone.”


“I’m here, JR. What’s going on?”


“That fucker next door got away with just a hundred-dollar fine.”


I was so stunned I didn’t think to call him on his language. “That’s all?” Never mind that as a purebred, the kitten was worth a lot of money. There was also the emotional damage done tothe entire Matheson family.


“Oh, he’s got to muzzle General Custer whenever he takes the dog out of the house, even if it’s just into the backyard.”


I heard the key in the door. “Hold on, I think Wills has just come home.” I went into the foyer.


“Wills, did you check your messages?”


“Yeah. I have one from Jar, but when I tried to call him, the line was busy.”


Chapter 101