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

He shook his head.“I’m…not ready.”


I gave him a smile.“Let me know when you are.”


He cleared his throat.“You’d really do anything with me?”


Surprised he wouldn’t know that,I kissed his lips.“Of course.I trust you completely.”


With a sharp intake of breath,he trembled.“I trust you,too.”


I cuddled against his chest,not caring we smeared our mess all over ourselves.We’d clean up in a few minutes.This seemed important to Jeff.To both of us.“Now tell me,my sexy alpha man,what is it you want?”


He trembled.“I like that…what you just called me.”He gave a nervous laugh.


“My sexy alpha man?You are,Jeff.I’ll confess something also…I love that you take control most of the time.I don’t mean I want to becontrolled,like with whips and chains.I just like that you’re more dominant.Does that make sense?”


His lips came down in a crushing kiss.I threw my hand around his waist,stroking his back,where I loved all the muscles.


Chapter 62