Woodrow "Woody" Anker is an urban legend—the boy who lived. Orphaned at the age of three due to a car accident that killed his parents, Woody was taken in by the Zumpano family, where he became best friends with Serge, the youngest boy, and looked up to Rafe, the oldest. And as the years went by, Woody’s feelings for Rafe changed into something else entirely.

Now, Rafe is the town sheriff and Lothario-extraordinaire. He is also a heavy drinker, and it’s getting worse. But he drinks to keep a deep, dark secret at bay.

In the heat of an argument with Woody and Serge, a drunken, belligerent Rafe spews hateful words and gay slurs against Woody, who is devastated and feels betrayed. But while he will do what he can to bring the brothers back together, he feels there’s no way he can forgive Rafe, not even when the drunken man suddenly kisses him.

It will take a lot for both Woody and Rafe to move beyond alcohol-fueled vitriol, self-doubt and internalized homophobia to get to the part where they stop throwing punches and can kiss again. For real, this time.