Chapter 56

Josh finished eating and tossed his garbage in the trash. He wished he could go in the pool, but he wouldn’t. There was no way he’d reveal the scars on his back and sides, courtesy of the bastard he’d thought he deserved because the one man he loved didn’t love him back.

He was doing better, though, no longer mooning over Tom like a lovesick fool. On the rare occasions he went clubbing, he made sure to hook up with someone who didn’t want anything more than what he was willing to give.

As he drained the last of his beer and then let the empty bottle dangle from his fingers, he unobtrusively eyed the pool. He’d been trying not to drool over all the pretty boys, when the prettiest one of all climbed out of the pool, dripping wet. He whipped a mop of unruly curls out of his face, and Josh moaned, “Momma, buy me that!”

“Billy Bob’s straight, buddy,” Tom told him as he handed Josh another beer and then took a sip of his Coke.