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

When we pulled up to valet parking at the hotel,I grinned.“Fancy.”


Jeff reached behind his seat,pulling out his blue duffel bag.


He waggled his eyebrows,grinning.“Come with me and find out.”


I slid out of the truck and waited for him to hand over his keys and get a ticket.Jeff grabbed my hand as we headed inside.


A large sign on an easel announced the Stone Gate High School Prom in the Chariot Ballroom,with an arrow pointing to our left.But Jeff headed right.


“The prom’s the other direction,”I told him.


He pointed to another sign on the wall—Check-in.


We were spending the night?In a hotel room?I joined him at the counter.


A young woman with long bleach-blonde hair and way too much blue eyeshadow greeted us.“Checking in?”


I blushed as she glanced at the two of us.


“Yes.”He pulled out his driver’s license when she asked for identification,and gave her his debit card as well.


Chapter 68