Pick Up the Pieces

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?

Tinnean

Not enough ratings

122 Chs

Chapter 67

“There’s no return address.”

“I noticed that.”

“Do you think it will explode if I open it?”

“No way to tell until you do,” I said innocently.

Paul flipped me off and then stuck his thumb under the flap, worked it open, and took out what seemed like an innocuous slip of paper. “Holy hell.”

I was on my feet and rushing toward him. “What is it?”

“It’s a cashier’s check.” He looked up at me, stunned. “For fifteen hundred dollars!”

Vince had said he’d see Paul got paid. I had no doubt he was behind this, and I’d ask him about it the next time I saw him. I wasn’t sure he would answer me, but I’d ask.

“What do you want to do with it?”

“Would you cash it for me?”

“You’ve got it, babe. Sign it, and I’ll stop at the bank first thing tomorrow afternoon.” I wouldn’t be working, but going to bed late and getting up even later was a hard habit to break.

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