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

Shit,this day had been crazy.Jeff had called my“incident”a panic attack.I was lucky he’d been there because it scared the crap out of me.I’d had some basic panicky feelings before,but today had been really awful.I dragged my fingers through my hair as I paced the hallway and waited for him.


Officer Dyer came around the corner,my grandparents following close behind.Pamela hurried around the officer and ran to my side.


“Hey!Are you already done?”Pamela asked tentatively,her nerves clearly getting the best of her.


“Yeah.It was easy.”I gave her a reassuring smile and darted my gaze to my grandpa.“Um,could I talk with you a minute?”


“Sure.”We walked to the end the hallway where we could be alone.“What’s going on,Aaron?”


Chapter 42