Chapter 2

Adam’s restaurant was closed now, as they were in the process of turning the old Vic’s Café into Captain Adam’s Seafood Shanty. None of the construction workers paid him any heed, which suited Leo fine.

When he reached the sandy path down to Stone Beach, Leo stopped his board, picked it up, and glanced around. It was late morning and most of the kids around were still in school, which was why a ton of them weren’t headed to the water on such an awesome day. He was about to start down the winding path to the sand when someone shouted his name.

Groaning, he turned around. Galaxy ran toward him from the direction of the restaurant. So much for the brief bit of freedom. He loved his brother more than the world, but he could be a real drag.

“Your session over?” Galaxy asked when he caught up to Leo. His brother righted the glasses that had fallen out of place on his run over.

Really, looking at the two of them, Leo figured most people wouldn’t see them as brothers. Galaxy was clean-cut, with sort of an absentminded professor or artist thing going on. Leo had more meat to his bones than his skinny older brother, kept his shoulder length hair black, had both his lip and eyebrow pierced and favored wearing black and purple

“I’m here, aren’t I?”

Galaxy raised an eyebrow. “Does that mean you went?”

“Yes.”

His brother smiled such a happy smile, Leo felt a twinge of guilt. He hadgone, true, but it wasn’t like the session was successful.

“Where are you off to now?”

“Going for a walk on the beach.”

Galaxy frowned. “Alone?”

Leo smiled patiently. “You see anyone with me?”

“Try not to be such a smart ass, Leo.”

“I do try.”

His brother rolled his eyes. “Uh-huh. Just be careful. And don’t go into the water if there’s no one around.”

“I don’t have any plans to go swimming.”

“Good. But be careful in general.”

Leo sighed. “Sutter’s Bay is safe.”

“For the most part, yeah,” Galaxy said. “But trouble can show up anywhere, Leo. All I’m asking is for a little caution.”

Leo put his hand into the pocket of his jeans, closed his fingers around an object, and pulled it out to show Galaxy. Pepper spray. “I got it covered. I don’t go anywhere without this.”

Galaxy nodded and patted his shoulder. “Okay, I’ll see you later.”

“See you.” Leo watched his brother trot back across the street to the restaurant. When Galaxy was back inside talking to the construction guys, Leo turned and headed down the winding path to the beach.

When he neared the end of the path, he stopped to slip out of his Vans. He always left them on the path so he wouldn’t get too much sand in them. Now, barefoot, Leo continued to the sand and toward the water.

Like he’d told Dr. Carew, he wasn’t suicidal. He had no wish to keep walking until the ocean swallowed him. He figured that would be too easy of an end for the predator who’d tormented him. He intended to make sure his stepfather lived with the knowledge for a long time of what he’d done to Leo. And maybe, if Leo could manage, he’d get the ultimate revenge on the bastard and live a good, full life.

He’d reached the part of sand that was wet from the waves rising up over it when he noticed movement to his left. Turning, Leo shielded his eyes from the late morning sun. Some distance down the beach, sitting amongst rocks and sand, was a young blond man similar in age to Leo.

The guy, whoever he was, leaned his head on his bent knees. He looked kind of lost and Leo realized he was walking toward the guy.

The closer he got the more Galaxy’s words played in his head. Trouble can show up anywhere.

This one, this guy with the soft, pretty features and sad puppy look, was definitely going to be trouble. He looked up at Leo’s approach and Leo was struck by the prettiest pair of light blue eyes he’d ever see.

Fuck.

“Hi,” he said, standing just to the right of the guy.

Pretty boy blinked. “Hello.”

“I hope you have protection.”

“Huh?”

Leo smiled. “Sunscreen. You’re fair-skinned. Looks like your skin’s already turning pink.”

The guy just stared at Leo as though maybe he didn’t speak English. Leo was starting to feel stupid for coming over to talk.

“I’m Leo. Leo Winthrop.”

Since the blond had that definite rich, preppy-type look going on, with his expensive salon styled hair and soft, nearly beautiful features, Leo figured he’d have one of those soap opera style names like Chad or Austin or something.