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

“Quit thinking about Jeff that way!Just enjoy hanging out with him at the pool,”I ordered my reflection.Unfortunately,that only made me wonder what it might be like to have his arms around me in the water.Not off to the best start.


When I reached the bottom of the stairs,I gasped.Jeff was leaning against the door frame into the kitchen,his arms crossed with a bright orange beach towel slung over his shoulder.His new navy blue board shorts fit him perfectly,dipping a little in the front.He was shirtless,and when I saw all that curly dark hair on his chest,I immediately wanted to skim my fingers through it.


My cock sprang to life,tenting my trunks.I placed my towel in front of my crotch just in time as he noticed me.He grabbed a T-shirt from the entryway table and slipped it over his head before we headed to the street.


I swallowed hard.“Yes.”More than you know.


Chapter 21