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

I straightened my shoulders and joined them.I explained what Dyer had offered to let us do,and my grandma immediately put her arm around Pamela and pulled her close.


“It’s not a good idea,”she insisted even as Grandpa voiced his approval.


“Honey,why not let them do this today so they can move on?It might be some sort of closure.”


“I don’t want that monster near our grandkids,”she said,her voice elevating with each word.


“Grandma,we wouldn’t be alone.I don’t really want to see him,but if Pamela does,I won’t let her go without me.”


She hugged Pamela tighter.“Do you want to see him?”she asked.


“Yes,”Pamela whispered,looking embarrassed,as if asking for something she shouldn’t.


“The kids should go,honey.He’s their father,no matter what,”Grandpa urged.


“He’s not mine,”I huffed.“I’ll see him today,but there is no way in hell I’ll evertalk to him again.The only time I plan to see him again is at the trial.”


Chapter 43