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

My heartbeat thundered in my ears and heat spread down my neck.Jeff went pale and looked ridiculously guilty.How did mothers always figure things out?Even mine had known before she passed.


“Jeff?”Her tone brooked no argument.


She sighed.“I can’t say I didn’t see this coming.”She rubbed her brow and gave us a smile.“I’ve watched you two dance around each other for years.”


“First of all,you’re both eighteen and about to graduate.I like you,Aaron,and I think you’re good for each other.So don’t take this the wrong way…”


My heart sank.Was she going to insist I stay with my grandparents?


“Let me finish.I’m fine with you dating.More than fine,actually.I’ve thought for years this might happenBut I don’t think you should be roommates in college.That’s an awful lot of pressure on the two of you when you’re both so young.”


Chapter 58