The things that matter the most are often the hardest things to hold on to. When duty, love and honor collide, only the brave will survive. Jason "Clint" McClintock and Eric Look have been best friends since seventh grade. Despite Clint's talent for finding trouble and his ambivalence about his future, Eric never gives up on him. Last spring, a drunken brawl in a bar changes everything, including their relationship. The fires of turmoil spark something new between the men and their passion threatens to consume them both, despite bullies in the military and Clint's own father getting in the way. Is Clint strong enough to protect the one he loves from the darkness and violence of his life? Is he mature enough to put Eric's needs first, the way that Eric did for him for so many years? Will Eric trust Clint to be the man he needs when it counts the most? Somehow they must find a way to forge a love that won't be broken by the test of time, separation, or violence. When friends turn into lovers, lovers turn into enemies, and family turns deadly, how do you hold on to the love that matters most? Please Note: This book contains Adult Language & Steamy Adult Activities, it is intended for 18+ Adults Only. Novella, approx. 50,000 words in length. HFN (happy for now ending). Does not end with a "cliffhanger". Edition Notes: This is an early work, originally published as a series of short stories back in Summer 2015, then later revised & expanded as a novel in late 2015. This second edition has been re-edited, leaving the core story intact but fixing some small issues specifically pointed out by readers (such as POV issues) & grammatical issues previously missed.