Backstage

iam Ashby, a 32-year-old gay man, has recently returned to his hometown of Mason City, Iowa after ten years in Boston. Following his father's death and a breakup with his boyfriend Justin, Liam now lives in his childhood home and works as a bartender.

When Arthur Graves-father of Hollywood superstar Benjamin Graves-dies, the town is flooded with media. During an impromptu interview with H! Television reporter Jesse Clinton, Liam inadvertently reveals his long-standing attraction to Benjamin, whom he remembers from high school. To his embarrassment, the interview airs nationally.

Through his workplace connection, Liam and his friend Sue are hired to serve at the Graves family funeral reception. At the reception, Liam encounters Benjamin, who surprisingly remembers him from their high school days as fellow runners. The funeral reveals tensions between Benjamin and his mother, which Liam overhears.

Days later, Benjamin secretly appears at Liam's bar in disguise. Though initially angry, Liam agrees to talk with Benjamin about their shared experience of losing fathers. After heavy drinking, Benjamin passes out at Liam's house. The next morning, Liam discovers Benjamin naked in his bed, though Benjamin later claims to have no memory of this.

Benjamin continues reaching out to Liam, inviting him to the Graves estate for a run. Their relationship grows increasingly complicated as they swim and exercise together, with Benjamin's constant flirting confusing Liam. Benjamin insists they're "just friends" while behaving in ways that suggest otherwise, claiming he isn't gay but acting in ways that contradict this.

Throughout these encounters, Liam navigates complicated relationships with his mother Colleen and his judgmental aunts Marie and Margaret. His friend Gregg calls from Boston, warning Liam against repeating his pattern with Justin-falling for men with ambiguous sexuality.

As their connection deepens, Benjamin asks Liam not to tell anyone about their friendship, claiming he values having someone in his life with "no strings attached." Liam agrees but wonders if he's setting himself up for heartbreak with another man who won't acknowledge his true feelings.

John Argos was raised in Mason City, Iowa. After graduating from Saint John's University in Minnesota, he moved to Boston where he began a career in the insurance industry and built a community. Backstage is his first novel. He and his husband continue to live in Massachusetts, splitting their time between Boston and Truro.