Denial. Longing. These best friends discover their feelings for each other won't stay buried.

After recent events that had his life flashing before his eyes, Jamaican gang leader Israel Storm is re-evaluating everything. His friends. His priorities. What's not going to change is the deep connection he's developed with best friend Reggie Turner. Their bond can survive anything. Except the kiss Reggie plants on him out of nowhere.

Reggie doesn't bat for his own team, but the more time he spends with Israel, the more Reggie loses sight of labels and where he fits. All he knows is there's something between them Israel won't ever acknowledge. One kiss lands Reggie in the ER and sends Israel digging through his darkest memories in search of himself.

In the midst of passion and self-discovery, these two find it's not just their hearts on the line. An unknown enemy is set to make an example of Israel and his weapon of choice will leave this Rude Boy bloodied...and bodied.

Features pining, angst, best friends-to-lovers, double first times, slow burn, forced proximity.