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

By the time we left,hours had passed and I felt drained,but my grandparents insisted on taking us all out to eat.Four was a little early for dinner,but since we had skipped lunch,I didn’t really mind.They’d invited Jeff’s mom,who would join us at the barbecue restaurant.


Jeff had been quiet the entire ride to the restaurant,but Pamela had ridden with us and chattered the whole way,so his silence could be chalked up to not really having a chance to talk.When we pulled into the parking lot and saw my grandparents by the door,we dropped off Pamela with them and found a vacant spot.


He parked and turned off the engine,but kept tapping his fingers on the steering wheel.The silence stretched out and I finally gave in.


He rolled his shoulders and rubbed the back of his neck.“This is hard to say and I’m not sure how you’re going to take this.”


Shit.My guard came up and I sat up straighter.


“Fuck…I’m just going to spit it out.”


Chapter 44