Eighteen-year-old Justin Quinn has had it pretty rough. His father dies unexpectedly. His first big crush loves him, but only as a little brother. His relationship with his high school boyfriend is mostly platonic and ends when they decide to go to different colleges. While working a summer job, Justin starts a relationship with a coworker, but soon discovers the other guy is only in it for the sex.
Justin has always believed his gaydar to be infallible. So he’s disappointed and conflicted to learn his hunky, muscled, and friendly college roommate Bailey Stone is straight. Frustrated, Justin finds a boyfriend who dumps him when Justin wakes up after a party, hung over and sore.
Justin knows he needs someone steady, reliable, and solid in his corner. Might Bailey be Justin’s rock, or will he continue to drift through college without an anchor?
After putting down his duffel, he looked around the room that would be his home away from home for the next year. The windows were open, and there was stuff piled on one of the beds, desks, and dressers. Obviously his roomie had already arrived, though he was nowhere to be seen. Then he heard something behind him. Whirling around, he saw the big guy who’d been hugging his mother in the parking lot.
Sticking out his hand, he said, “Hi. I’m Justin Quinn. And I’m gay.”
Wearing a maroon T-shirt, long, baggy tan shorts, and sandals, the hunk smiled at him, squeezed his hand, and said, “Hi, Justin Quinn. I’m Bailey Stone. I’m straight. Is that a problem?”
Justin couldn’t help laughing.
“No, dude, I’m pretty tolerant.”
Chuckling in response, Bailey said, “I think we’re gonna get along just fine, roomie. Now, let’s go get the rest of your shit. I saw you in the parking lot as I was saying goodbye to the folks.
With Bailey’s help, it only took a couple more trips to carry Justin’s things from the car up to the room. Justin enjoyed watching his new friend, who was built like a football lineman. He must have weighed 225 and was about six feet tall. He had beautiful brown eyes and dark brown hair. He wasn’t handsome in the celeb mag way, but his cleanly shaven face had a pleasant look about it.
One of Justin’s first thoughts was that it was a shame Bailey was straight. Still, he seemed friendly enough, and it was good that he’d said he had no problem with Justin’s being gay.
Both young men had brought their computers, of course. Bailey had also brought a TV with a built-in DVD player.
“I’ve got a stereo, but I didn’t bring it until I found out what you’d brought.”
“Do we have to wait until Thanksgiving to get it? ‘Cause I’ll be going home some weekends. I live in Strongsville, which isn’t too far away.”
“No, dude, I live in Higgins.”
“Where’s that?”
“About twenty miles west of here.”
Bailey’s smile came slowly but was very sweet. “Cool! So you can bring the stereo next time you’re home. My dad gave me money for us to go to Walmart and get a small fridge. I assume you know where a Walmart is.”
“Oh, yeah. I’ll have to be your guide to Colby. But you gotta let me pay for half of the fridge.”
“It’s a deal.”
They worked side by side unpacking, putting things away, and setting up their computers, making little housekeeping decisions as they did.
They finished about 5:30.
“Wanna go get something to eat?” Justin asked.
“Sure. Where’ll we go?”
“Burgers okay?”
“Yep. I suppose there’s someplace on campus where we can get a burger?”
“I suppose. But my car’s still out back. I can’t leave it there. We can drive someplace and then put it in the freshman lot. If that’s okay with you.”
There was that slow smile again, making Justin’s breath catch when it spread across his new friend’s face.
