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

“Hi!Nice to hear from you so soon,”Jon said.


“Hi Jon.Um…we need to talk,”I said,not exactly sure how to go about telling him I was with Jeff now.


“Uh-oh.”Jon sighed through the phone.“Give it to me.”


“After you left last night,Jeff and I got to talking.”


He blew out a breath.“He finally admitted he’s into you?”


Jon stayed silent for so long,I thought we might have been disconnected.“I can’t say I’m surprised.I know it’s what you wanted.I won’t say I’m not disappointed,but I understand.I kind of held out hope you were over him.”


“I’m sorry,Jon.”Shit.I sucked at this.I’d never had to break a date in my life.


“I’ll learn to love again,”he said with a chuckle.


I laughed,too,the tension between us easing somewhat.“You asking me out sort of put him over the edge.”


“Glad I could help with your love life,”he said with a hint of sarcasm.


“Hey,it’s not a big deal.I’d rather know now than later.”


Chapter 54