Rasheed knew moving back to his small hometown in Virginia wouldn’t be smooth sailing, especially since he refused to so much as visit for twenty-five years, but he isn’t prepared for the level of vitriol he gets from the person he’s most anxious to see—his high school sweetheart, Percy. His best friend. His closest confidant. And the reason he’s returned. Once upon a time, Rasheed chose his reputation over their relationship, and now, Percy makes it clear he isn’t the least bit interested in renewing their friendship, let alone anything more. Rasheed’s determined to show Percy he’s a changed man, and won’t make the same mistake twice. But Percy’s changed, too, and as Rasheed learns more about him, and what it means to be out and proud in this town, he questions if he’s as ready as he thought. Percy’s worth it, though, and after breaking his heart the first time, Rasheed’s on a mission to prove himself worthy of a second chance.

Years ago, Cookie Pearson ran off the love of her life, Tommy, because she couldn’t accept his sexuality. She’s learned since then, and after drop-kicking her philandering cad of a boyfriend to the curb, all she wants is a second chance with the one who got away. But her family’s not so understanding, either of her breakup with their hand-picked suitor, and definitely not of her plans to reunite with Tommy. They’re still mired in the same headspace they’ve been her whole life, determined to bring her down with them. And she’ll be damned if she lets that happen. That means defending herself, him, and them, something she’s never done before. But if it means a chance of getting—and staying—in Tommy’s arms, it’ll be well worth the inevitable fallout.