Chapter 9

He has tears in his eyes when we break apart and I wonder if the kiss was that bad, but his cheeks are flushed and the bulge between his legs tells me I have nothing to worry about.

I hadn’t realized it’s midnight. It’s Christmas.

Granted, I probably would’ve hardly noticed a midnight sun or an alien invasion.

The guy in front of me has my undivided attention.

He sits with his whole world locked inside himself because outside there’s nothing for him. He stares at me as if I’m something special and I want to tell him he’s wrong, I’m anything butspecial, but it’s Christmas and he’s too good a gift for me to refuse.

Lucas looks at me and opens his mouth. His face is flushed and I don’t understand what’s going on.

“What is it? Was it too much?” My voice trembles more than I want it to.

Lucas shakes his head and swallows.

And then it happens, something unexpected that takes away the last bit of my breath.

With a stunted voice, he says three words. “Thank you, Pete.”