Never Just Friends

Roo: Five years ago, I walked away from Sunbury, Oregon, and left my best friend behind. The move was supposed to get my life on track. I even had a list: Life changing epilepsy surgery. Check. See the world. Check. Get over my straight best friend... Not exactly. No matter where I go or who I meet, I can't let Tanner go. I'm back to tell him how I feel. To get the closure I need once and for all. Only now I'm here and falling for him all over again, it's getting harder to say the words. Because once I have my closure, I'll be gone. And this time it will be for good. Tanner: When my best friend, Roo, left for Australia, it was the worst day of my life. I thought we'd have each other always. But Roo needed the surgery so I let him go, thinking he'd come straight back. Five years is a long time. Now he's here, all I want is to hold on tight. I need to show him what he means to me. The problem is, I'm not exactly sure what that is. My draw to him has always been confusing and different-everyone in town says so. But I struggle to understand it. All I know is I won't survive him leaving again. And I'll do anything to make him stay. Contains mature themes.

Rowan Five years ago, I ruined the best thing I had in my life and ran. Now, I'm finally back to make things right. I need Circus's forgiveness, and then I can finally move on. I'll leave Sunbury for good this time and never look back. Maybe then I can finally live life as an out gay man-without my family ever finding out. But earning his forgiveness isn't as simple as I hoped it would be. He's going to make me fight for it. And I don't blame him at all. Circus I never wanted or expected to see Rowan Harvey again. When he shows up in Sunbury, begging for forgiveness, I'm tempted to give it to him just so he'll disappear. Instead, we make a deal. I need an extra model for a swimwear shoot, and none of my friends are available or fit the brief. I'll forgive him, if he helps me. Then he has to leave. For good. Because his request for anonymity during the shoot proves he's still living in his dark closet. I'm not going to make the same mistakes I did when I was a teenager. I won't let myself fall for him again. Because after how things ended between us, he doesn't deserve a second chance. Contains mature themes.

LEON When I'm looking for a hook up, I want three things: Big, thick, and rough. So it doesn't make sense that I can't get my new hire out of my head. He's a tiny guy with big ideas... and he's my apprentice which means he's completely off limits. But he's already under my skin. And for the first time with any guy, I don't think I can hold my own against him. Physically, yes. Emotionally, no. Auggie makes me weak. AUGGIE Growing up, I always wanted to go into the family business and follow in Dad's footsteps. Until in my senior year of high school when he told me to find a new dream. No one would let a small, clumsy guy like me on a construction site. And after trying and failing for years, I was starting to believe him. Then LJ Constructions calls me for an interview and when I meet Leon, he becomes my new dream. He's hot as hell, self-made, and instead of putting me down, he sees what I've always seen in myself. But I'm not dumb enough to throw away this one chance, not even for him. Not even if I really, really want to. Contains mature themes.

Rafe It started in high school. We grew apart. Bit by bit, then all at once. The friend who was my ride or die suddenly wanted nothing to do with me. Now Cam's back from college, living in the house next door, and pulling stupid pranks just to annoy me. Between my intense family and my failing relationship, I'm struggling enough without his antics. But Cam won't go away. And I'm not so sure I want him to. Cam It started with a smile. A touch. A shared look of mischief. Rafael Ortega stole my heart before I realized it was mine to give away. We were best friends from the time we were in diapers right up until the unthinkable happened: he started dating. I put distance between us to save myself, but now I'm back, willing to do anything for his attention again. Because the only thing worse than Rafe breaking my heart . . . is him not getting a chance to. Contains mature themes.