A secret journal. A dangerous trek. A second chance that could cost them everything. Creed didn’t expect to arrive at the homestead this broken. His time in the military is over, but the nightmares aren’t—and watching his best friends find love only makes his isolation harder to ignore. Just as he starts settling into civilian life, his childhood friend Kayden calls with an invitation to go off into the wilds of the mountain terrain for a few days. Creed agrees, even if something about the timing feels... off. Kayden’s no seasoned outdoorsman, but he’ll take his chances in the wilderness if it means time alone with Creed. He’s never told his best friend he’s gay—or that he’s been in love with him for years. But when danger strikes on the trail and hidden feelings come to light, their friendship ignites into something neither of them saw coming. Then everything goes wrong. Kidnapped. Forced to cooperate with a ruthless enemy who wants the secrets buried deep within an old journal. With innocent lives on the line, escape is the only option—but even freedom comes with a price. As Creed and Kayden fight to survive and protect the vulnerable in their care, a deeper mystery unravels around them—one that threatens to upend everything they thought they knew about the mountain... and themselves. Will their bond survive the secrets, the danger, and the past that refuses to stay buried? Or will the fight to stay alive cost them their second chance at something real