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

Jeff was already in the room and looked surprised to see me in a towel.“Hey,”he said as he sat on the edge of the bed.“I thought you would already be asleep.”


“Yeah,I decided I needed a shower.”I pulled out a clean pair of boxers.I almost grabbed a shirt,but noticed that Jeff wasn’t wearing one.I decided to follow suit.I began to turn away to get dressed,but paused.“Hey,we forgot to pick up your regular body wash.I used that other one.”


“Why didn’t you use yours?Didn’t we bring it from your house?”


“Shit.”I laughed.“Completely forgot it was even in there.I just grabbed yours.”


A smile tugged at his lips.“Admit it,Aaron,you just want to smell like me.”


He teased,but deep down,I knew he was right.My face heated.“Whatever,man.”


He laughed as he climbed under the covers.


I waited until he turned away before I dropped the towel and pulled on the boxer briefs.I climbed into bed and slid under the covers,facing away from him.


Chapter 19