Broken Homes, Broken Boys

Nic's world is upended by his parents' divorce and his mother's spiraling depression, while Cade, the golden child of his own fractured family, resents the intrusion of his new stepbrother. Both boys are forced into proximity by their parents' choices, each carrying wounds: Nic's are visible in his vitiligo and self-inflicted scars, Cade's in his desperate need for approval and belonging. Their first interactions are hostile, marked by jealousy, bitterness, and a sense of being unwanted by the adults who should protect them. The seeds of their complicated relationship are sown in these early years, as they learn to survive in a home that feels like enemy territory.

Roommates and Old Wounds

Years later, Nic and Cade are thrown together again as college roommates, a move orchestrated by their parents for convenience and cost. Both are older, but the old animosities remain raw. Nic is withdrawn, haunted by his mother's decline and his own mental health struggles, while Cade is reeling from the loss of his best friend and unrequited love, Liam. Their shared space is a battleground of passive aggression, unresolved trauma, and simmering attraction. The forced proximity reignites their rivalry, but also exposes the vulnerabilities and needs each tries to hide.

Rivalry Rekindled, Tension Ignited

Working together at a diner, Nic and Cade's rivalry intensifies. They compete for tips, attention, and dominance, their interactions laced with sarcasm and physicality. What begins as petty sabotage and one-upmanship soon turns into something more charged. The line between hate and desire blurs as their confrontations become increasingly physical, culminating in moments of violence that are as erotic as they are aggressive. Both are confused by the intensity of their feelings, unsure whether they want to hurt or have each other.

Choking Games and Power Plays

The boys' antagonism escalates into choking and rough play, both at work and at home. Cade discovers an unexpected arousal in being dominated and degraded by Nic, while Nic finds a sense of control and relief in exerting power over Cade. Their dynamic becomes a twisted dance of consent, pain, and pleasure, with safewords negotiated and ignored. The violence is both a symptom of their brokenness and a means of connection, allowing them to express needs they can't articulate in words.

Club Nights, Jealous Hearts

A night out at a gay club exposes the boys' insecurities and desires. Cade, newly out and eager for validation, flirts and hooks up with strangers, while Nic watches with a mix of disdain and longing. When Nic is dared to kiss a stranger, Cade's jealousy boils over, leading to a confrontation that blurs the line between possessiveness and care. Their sexual tension erupts in mutual masturbation and dirty talk, each using the other to chase away loneliness and shame.

Bleeding Boundaries, Unspoken Care

After a night of drinking and self-harm, Nic's physical wounds force Cade to confront his concern for his stepbrother. Their usual antagonism gives way to moments of genuine care, as Cade tends to Nic's injuries and tries to understand his pain. The boys begin to see past each other's defenses, recognizing the trauma and need for connection that underlie their hostility. These moments of vulnerability are fleeting, quickly masked by sarcasm and bravado, but they mark the beginning of a shift in their relationship.

Hate Sex and Humiliation

Their first sexual encounter is raw, rough, and humiliating, with Nic degrading Cade and Cade begging for more. The act is less about love than about power, control, and the need to feel something—anything—other than pain. Both are left shaken and unsatisfied, their emotional wounds as raw as their bodies. Yet, the experience binds them together in a way neither can deny, making it impossible to return to the status quo.

Secrets, Scars, and Surrender

As their sexual relationship intensifies, Nic's scars and history of self-harm come to light, forcing Cade to confront the reality of his stepbrother's suffering. Nic, in turn, is forced to acknowledge his own need for care and acceptance. Their dynamic shifts from pure antagonism to something more complex, as they begin to rely on each other for comfort and validation. The secrecy of their relationship becomes both a source of excitement and a heavy burden, as they struggle with shame and the fear of discovery.

Family Ties, Family Lies

The boys' parents remain oblivious to the turmoil in their sons' lives, focused on their own happiness and new beginnings. Nic is excluded from family events, his pain ignored or minimized, while Cade is pressured to play the role of the perfect son. The wedding of their parents becomes a flashpoint, exposing the deep rifts and resentments that have never healed. Both boys are forced to confront the reality that their families will never be what they need.

Christmas Alone, Together

Left alone during the holidays, Nic and Cade find solace in each other. Their shared loneliness becomes a source of comfort, as they create their own rituals and traditions. The intimacy of their time together deepens their bond, blurring the line between necessity and desire. For the first time, they begin to imagine a future that isn't defined by pain and rejection, but by the possibility of love and acceptance.

Bruises, Bans, and Beginnings

Their relationship is marked by bruises—both literal and metaphorical. Each sexual encounter leaves new marks, but also brings new understanding and trust. Cade's ban on Nic from the childhood treehouse is lifted, symbolizing a tentative acceptance of their shared past and uncertain future. The boys begin to talk about what they want, what they fear, and what they might become together.

The Wedding No One Wants

The wedding of their parents, scheduled on the anniversary of Nic's mother's death, becomes a symbol of everything that is wrong in their family. Nic refuses to attend, sinking into depression, while Cade is forced to choose between loyalty to his mother and care for his stepbrother. The event exposes the selfishness and neglect of the adults, pushing the boys to rely on each other more than ever.

Depression, Distance, and Desperation

Nic's depression deepens, leading to withdrawal and the use of their safeword to push Cade away. Cade, desperate and afraid, seeks help from their parents and friends, but finds little support. The boys are forced to confront the reality of their mental health, the limits of their relationship, and the need for professional help. Their love is tested by the weight of their trauma and the fear of abandonment.

Confessions at the Grave

On the anniversary of his mother's death, Nic visits her grave, leaving behind a locket from Cade as a symbol of love and remembrance. Cade finds him there, confessing his love and his willingness to choose Nic over family expectations. The graveyard becomes a place of both mourning and hope, as the boys finally admit their feelings and commit to facing the future together.

Choosing Each Other

Cade walks away from his mother's wedding, choosing Nic over the approval of his family. The boys decide to be open about their relationship, regardless of the consequences. Their decision is met with resistance and disbelief, but they find strength in each other. For the first time, they are not just surviving, but actively choosing the life and love they want.

Vegas Vows, Unlikely Ever After

In a move that is both reckless and romantic, Nic and Cade elope to Las Vegas, marrying in a ceremony that is as unconventional as their relationship. The act is a declaration of independence from their families and a commitment to each other. Their marriage is met with mixed reactions, but for the boys, it is a hard-won happy ending—a promise that they will no longer be each other's last resort, but first choice.

Four Years Later: Still Us

Years later, Nic and Cade are still together, having built a life that is messy, imperfect, and deeply loving. They have found careers, friends, and a sense of belonging that once seemed impossible. Their scars remain, but they are no longer defined by them. The boys of apartment 13 have become men, and their story is one of survival, resilience, and the transformative power of choosing each other—again and again.

Characters

Nic (Nicolas Aldana)

Nic is the product of a broken home, marked by his mother's mental illness, his father's abandonment, and his own struggles with depression, self-harm, and chronic pain. His vitiligo and scars are outward signs of the trauma he carries inside. Nic is fiercely intelligent, deeply sensitive, and profoundly lonely, using sarcasm and aggression to keep others at bay. His relationship with Cade is both a source of pain and healing, as he learns to trust, accept care, and ultimately love. Nic's journey is one of learning to believe he is worthy of being chosen, not just tolerated.

Cade Howard

Cade is the favored son, the one who seems to have it all—looks, charm, and a loving mother. But beneath the surface, he is plagued by insecurity, jealousy, and a fear of being unwanted. His unrequited love for his best friend Liam leaves him adrift, and his antagonism toward Nic is rooted in both resentment and attraction. Cade's need for validation leads him into risky, degrading sexual dynamics, but also pushes him to fight for the people he loves. His growth comes from learning to choose for himself, to stand up to his family, and to accept love that is messy and real.

Tracey (Cade's Mother)

Tracey is the architect of the blended family, eager to create a new life with Anton and their sons. She is loving but often oblivious to the pain of those around her, prioritizing her own needs and desires over those of her children. Her insistence on family unity blinds her to the damage she causes, and her inability to see Nic's suffering is a source of ongoing hurt.

Anton (Nic's Father)

Anton is a man who has moved on from his first family, unable or unwilling to confront the consequences of his choices. He provides material support but little emotional presence, leaving Nic to fend for himself. His attempts at reconciliation are often too little, too late, and his failure to remember important dates (like the anniversary of Nic's mother's death) is emblematic of his neglect.

Liam

Liam is Cade's childhood best friend and the focus of his early romantic feelings. His own journey of sexual awakening and new relationship with Sebastian leaves Cade feeling abandoned and replaced. Liam represents the life Cade thought he wanted, and his eventual happiness with someone else forces Cade to confront his own desires and move on.

Baby (Francis Holbrook)

Baby is a flamboyant, sharp-tongued roommate who provides levity and perspective. He is unafraid to call out the boys on their bullshit, and his own struggles with love and acceptance mirror those of Nic and Cade. Baby's presence is a reminder that chosen family can be as important as blood.

Jax

Jax is a peripheral friend who becomes an unlikely companion to Cade during moments of crisis. His relentless chatter and lack of boundaries are both irritating and endearing, and he serves as a foil to the boys' intensity. Jax's own search for love and belonging adds depth to the story's exploration of loneliness.

Sebastian

Sebastian is Liam's boyfriend, initially seen as a rival and threat by Cade. His presence forces Cade to confront his own feelings and insecurities, and his eventual acceptance of the boys' relationship is a sign of growth and maturity within the group.

Carrie (Nic's Mother)

Carrie's presence is felt throughout the story, her absence shaping Nic's every decision. Her struggle with mental illness and eventual suicide are the source of Nic's deepest wounds, and his journey is one of learning to grieve, forgive, and move forward.

Corby

Corby is a college acquaintance who represents a path not taken—a more conventional, less fraught relationship. His presence highlights the uniqueness and intensity of Nic and Cade's bond, and his friendship is a reminder that healing can come from unexpected places.

Plot Devices

Dual POV and Time Jumps

The novel alternates between Nic and Cade's points of view, allowing readers to see the same events through different lenses. This structure exposes misunderstandings, internal conflicts, and the ways each boy misreads the other's intentions. Time jumps between past and present provide context for their trauma and growth, deepening the emotional resonance of their journey.

Physicality as Communication

Much of the boys' relationship is expressed through physical acts—fighting, choking, sex—rather than conversation. These acts serve as both barriers and bridges, allowing them to connect in ways they cannot verbally. The use of safewords, negotiation of consent, and exploration of pain and pleasure are central to their dynamic, reflecting their need for control and vulnerability.

Family as Both Obstacle and Mirror

The failures of their parents are a constant backdrop, shaping the boys' sense of self and their ability to trust. The wedding, holidays, and family gatherings serve as crucibles for their pain, forcing them to confront what they want and what they are willing to sacrifice.

Symbolism of Scars and Gifts

Nic's scars and Cade's bruises are outward signs of their internal struggles, but also become symbols of survival and intimacy. The locket Cade gives Nic, engraved with a picture of his mother, is a turning point—a gesture of understanding and love that transcends words.

Subversion of Romance Tropes

The novel plays with familiar tropes—stepbrother romance, hate sex, redemption arcs—but refuses easy resolutions. The boys' relationship is messy, fraught, and often uncomfortable, challenging the idea that love can fix everything. Their happy ending is hard-won, requiring honesty, vulnerability, and the willingness to choose each other over and over.

Analysis

Lover Boy is a raw, unflinching exploration of trauma, desire, and the messy, nonlinear path to healing. Through the lens of a taboo stepbrother romance, Brianna Flores interrogates the ways in which family, mental illness, and societal expectations shape our capacity for love and self-acceptance. The novel refuses to romanticize pain, instead presenting it as both a barrier and a bridge—something to be survived, not glorified. Nic and Cade's journey is one of learning to see and be seen, to ask for what they need, and to accept that love is not always gentle or easy. Their story is a testament to the power of chosen family, the necessity of boundaries and consent, and the possibility of building something beautiful from the wreckage of the past. In a world that often tells broken boys they are unworthy, Lover Boy insists that they can be each other's first choice—and that, sometimes, is enough.

Last updated: June 19, 2025