Out of the Ashes — A.J. Jarrett

Being the victim of a high school bully has left a bitter taste for his hometown in Joe Bowman's mouth. But after a bad breakup, Joe decides moving back home is his only option. He's not there a day before his past comes crashing into him. He learns his best friend is now dating his high school tormentor, and runs into the one man he thought was always out of his reach. Little does Joe know Jackson McGhee's been harboring secrets of his own. After the death of his mother, Jackson returns to Kearney, Missouri, to try and regain that sense of familiarity he had in his youth. Taking a job with the local fire department brings him face-to-face with the one person he can never have. Joe lives in the open while Jackson hides in the shadows. When push comes to shove, Jackson needs to decide if living a lie is worth losing the love of his life.