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

“What?”He sat up and removed the condom,which he tossed into the trash can with a wad of Kleenex.


He entered the bathroom and ran the faucet for a moment.When he returned,he had a wet washcloth.He cleaned me off before using it on his chest.He also wiped away all the extra lube on my ass,then tossed the washcloth toward our discarded clothes.


He lay next to me and pulled me into his arms.“Tell me why you frowned.”


I tried glaring at him,but couldn’t.He knew everything about me,so he might as well know this.“It’s embarrassing,but when you pulled out”—my face heated—”I missed having you inside.I felt empty.”I said into his chest.


He squeezed me and kissed the top of my head.“I don’t think that’s weird.”


Jeff gave me a sincere smile.“Not at all.”


His words comforted me.“When you’re inside me,it’s like you’re a part of me.You filled me up and it felt…right.”


Chapter 72