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

I stroked his hair and gave him a reassuring smile.“I’ll be honest.I did need you.I needed a friend.I needed your mom,too.You two were there for me when my life went to shit.I don’t know what I’d have done without your strength.But this thing that happened between us has nothing to do with that.”I paused and thought about my words.“Actually,I take that back.It does.The way you took care of me and supported me opened my eyes.I already knew you as a best friend.I knew we could have fun together.And it was hard to fight my growing attraction to you.But your strength showed me the kind of man you are.It’s like I already knew you,but I didn’t.Does that make any sense?”I laughed.“Probably not.I’m really bad at this.”


“No,you’re doing fine,”he said as he brushed my cheek with his fingers.


“I’m not with you because I need to be with someone,Jeff.I’m with you because I need to be with you.I don’t want anyone else calling me baby.”


Chapter 67