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    Controlled Burn
    Controlled Burn
    Controlled Burn
    Ebook65 pages51 minutes

    Controlled Burn

    By Laura Harner

    3.5/5

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    About this ebook

    Twelve years ago, it was the beginning of the end of their relationship when Robby was outed to his ultra conservative parents by his college lover, Scott.

    A lifetime later, a tragic accident has drawn Robby back into Scott's life, but time and experience have created a chasm as big as the Grand Canyon. Not that Robby is trying to keep secrets from his old lover—not exactly. It's just with so many assumptions between them, sometimes it's hard to know where to begin. How do you make an old friend see you for who you really are?

    Trained as a firefighter, Scott has spent his life rushing headlong into dangerous situations and examining the consequences later. Now he’s surrounded by reminders of his impetuous nature. Despite the choices he’s made in the past, fate has given him a chance to start over—if he can only show Robby the truth, they can finally have the life Scott envisions.

    One man is certain they can work things out—the other knows why they can’t. Only one of them can be right.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherLaura Harner
    Release dateMar 15, 2014
    ISBN9781937252786
    Controlled Burn
    Author

    Laura Harner

    Laura lives on waterfront property in Arizona because she's always wanted to be an oxymoron. She once enjoyed hobbies such as gardening and travel—now the characters in her head compel her to tell their stories, so she writes. (It doesn't actually help quiet the voices—but it keeps the folks in the white jackets at bay.)She shares her home with an ever-revolving cast of characters—some of whom are actually real—and is living her dream of building her own version of the Willow Springs Ranch.With over fifty published novels and novellas, Laura is an international bestselling author of erotic romances, romantic suspense, urban fantasy, and Highland romances. Her books can be found at all major online retailers.Connect with her online at:http://lauraharner.com

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      Book preview

      Controlled Burn - Laura Harner

      Controlled Burn

      Fighting Fire

      Pulp Friction 2014

      Laura Harner

      Controlled Burn is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

      Copyright © 2014 by Laura Harner

      Cover Art by Laura Harner

      All rights reserved.

      Smashwords edition published in the United States by Hot Corner Press.

      ISBN: 978-1-937252-78-6

      Warning: All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without written permission, except for brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

      The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to five years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

      Contact the publisher for further information: Hotcornerpress@gmail.com

      Acknowledgements

      Thank you to Havan Fellows, Lee Brazil, Tom Webb, Christy Duke, and Will Parkinson. Your help is greatly appreciated.

      The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following trademarks mentioned in this work of fiction:

      Blue Moon: MillerCoors LLC

      Harvard: President and Fellows of Harvard College Charitable Corporation

      La-Z-Boy: La-Z-Boy, Inc.

      Maglite: Mag Instrument, Inc.

      Mutt and Jeff: De Beaumont, Pierre S.

      National Park Service: United States Department of the Interior

      US Army: Department of the Army

      Contents

      Acknowledgements

      Chapter One

      Chapter Two

      Chapter Three

      Chapter Four

      Chapter Five

      Chapter Six

      About Pulp Friction 2014

      Mountain Shadows Map

      About the Author

      Also Available

      Chapter One

      The old man stood, the creases in his after-work khakis as sharp as the Army uniform he’d worn for over twenty years, his shoulders squared, his face white with rage.

      "How dare you? For the last three years, we have invited you into our home because you were Robert’s roommate. I would never have permitted my son to remain in the same apartment if I had suspected for one minute you were a queer. I know what you people are like—I know. Don’t try to pervert my son—he was raised to know better. Goddamn you—don’t you realize because of your sickness—if the background investigators discover he was living with a homo—he’ll never be able to get a security clearance. This hint of scandal could cost him his Army career. I expect you out of the apartment immediately. Your family must be so ashamed. Leave now, and never return." With that pronouncement, Robby’s father twisted away, moving stiffly, literally turning his back on Scott.

      Scott knew it was the dream come back to haunt him, because the next sound was the slamming of the front door, closing off his mouth before his words had a chance to escape.

      Scott pushed himself awake. If only he could have taken them back that day.

      Roger Hammond had already begun his slow slide into dementia by then…they’d all seen the signs, the forgetfulness, the periods of confusion. Why had Scott insisted the man see his son for who he was?

      "Robby’s not joining the Army—he’s gay, too, and I love him. Are you going to hate us for that?"

      Roger had screamed, spittle flying, face turning red as his blood pressure soared.

      You need to go now, Scott, Robby had said as he rushed to help his mother lower his father back into the La-Z-Boy.

      His best friend and lover never even turned to look at him…just dismissed Scott so he could care for his sick father. As was right.

      When Robby returned to their apartment hours later, he would only say that his father had been medicated and was sleeping. From that moment on, the subject of his family had been off limits, and although they lived together another year, Scott knew it had been the beginning of the end.

      It had been an unforgivable thing to do—to out Rob to his parents. His friend had always been reticent to share much of his upbringing, but after three years together and a few shared meals at the Hammond house, Scott had a fair idea. Roger had been on the short list for an important Pentagon assignment when the annual physical turned up enough questions to eventually earn

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