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

“Good.Again,Aaron,”Jeff said,his hand making slow circles on my back.


“What the fuck is wrong with this kid?”


I blocked out the man’s voice and concentrated on my breathing.Slowly the world began to come into view and I saw Jeff giving me a smile.


“Hi,”he said,his voice calm and soothing.


“Hey,”I said as I breathed out again.“Thanks.”I glanced across the counter and saw that a crowd had gathered.I wanted to shrink away,but I needed to get through this,so I straightened my shoulders and faced the unpleasant asshole.


“I apologize,sir.Let me get you a full refund and that additional ten you’re owed.Your popcorn and drink are on us tonight.”I figured it was worth paying for it myself in order to get him out of the way.


He watched me through narrowed eyes,as if trying to decide if I was being truthful.I opened the register and handed him the money.His only response was a grunt before he left.


“I have to get back to the ticket booth,”Jeff whispered.“I left Alicia up there alone.”


Chapter 61