Eighteen year-old Aaron Pickard is dealing with a lot: he’s falling for his straight best friend, his mother has ended up in the hospital after a violent assault by his father, and he’s trying to decide when to come out. Tack on the stress of an upcoming prom and graduation, a part-time job, and the possibility he could lose his best friend, and he’s an emotional wreck.<br><br>Aaron’s best friend Jeff Leaton provides a soft place for him to fall when his life is thrown into chaos, literally holding him each night as they fall asleep. As Jeff helps Aaron navigate through the mess that has become his new normal, Aaron’s feelings for Jeff intensify.<br><br>Aaron’s pretty sure it’s all going to end badly, but he’s holding on to hope.

Holding On

After a tense hour,the surgeon finally came through those double doors,smiling.My grandma started weeping with relief before he even spoke.


I listened,I really did,but I made out only about every other word.Something about“doing well,”“sleeping,”and“come back tomorrow.”We couldn’t see her yet,but my grandparents were smiling,so I knew it was going to be okay.


Grandma and Grandpa decided to stay at the nearby Hampton Inn for the night instead of making the forty-five minute drive back home.Pamela and I would stay with them,but I wasn’t looking forward to all four of us in a cramped hotel room.


Jeff grabbed my arm,pulling me aside.“Stay at my house,”he whispered.


I looked up at him.That was the best idea I’d heard all day.I’d stayed at his house all the time,so much so that I even had my own toothbrush there.


“Great.I’ll call my mom.She told me to invite you and Pamela.Oh,crap!I meant to invite your sister.”


Chapter 12