Insightful to a fault, Gabe Ashton knows Nick Flynn’s gay even if Nick doesn’t. And after seeing how the townie looks at his “buddy,” Gabe knows Nick is in love with a guy who’ll never love him back. So Gabe invites Nick to campus parties and to hang out with new people. But soon their friendship turns physical, and Gabe wonders if he’s in just as much denial as Nick is.
Nick’s straight—or so he’s always assumed. But he can’t deny that the things he’s doing with Gabe are hot. More than that, he likes Gabe in a way he’s never liked anyone else. Well, anyone else except his high school friend, John.
The hardest thing to give up is a fantasy, and the hardest thing to face is the truth. But if Nick wants the man standing in front of him, he’ll have to give up the one he never had.
Gabe is positive that the guy he noticed in his class is gay. The problem is that none of his gay friends believe him – but he has a sixth sense about these things and makes an effort to get to know Nick. Gabe realizes almost immediately that Nick is so far in the closet that HE doesn’t even know he’s gay but that doesn’t stop Gabe from noticing that fact that Nick has it bad for his best friend John.
Gabe and Nick get to be friends and since Nick lives in town Gabe offers up his place in case Nick ever needs to crash after a party. Nick takes Gabe up on his offer after a party that they both attend. No one is tired after they get home so they put in a movie. Gabe gets Nick to jack off with him (no touching of course) and Nick’s ok with it. They begin a physical relationship but Nick is still in denial about the fact that he’s gay. As long as he doesn’t go all the way he’s not gay, right? Ug. How frustrating for Gabe who has deep feelings for Nick.
It almost takes an anvil over the head for Nick to realize that uh, yeah, he might actually be gay but then he has to face his feelings not only toward Gabe but also face his long time friend John and the feelings he has for him.
Wow. I don’t think denial is a strong enough word for Nick. Seriously that boy was closeted – in another world. Opening the wardrobe and falling into Narnia comes to mind. lol I wasn’t actually sure that Gabe was gonna get Nick to see the light there for a while. I loved how Gabe eased Nick into the physical part of the relationship but never did anything that Nick didn’t want to do. Nick was a sweet guy but oh, so confused.
Gabe – oh my heart hurt for that boy. He was so gone on Nick and Nick was struggling so much with his identity and who exactly he was that Gabe just kind of had to sit back and watch. He didn’t sit back entirely but I really felt for his and admired him for his patience.
Townie and the Twink (although I personally didn’t think of Gabe as a twink ) was a very good story and I’m glad I read it. Next up is Player and the Prude which has Brooks – a character in this story who had an attitude issue – as one of the leads. Can’t wait!
Rating: 4 out of 5
I didn't think Gabe was a twink either!
Glad I wasn't the only one. 🙂