Chapter 7

Matthew had never felt that with anyone and had been taken aback by the instantaneous attraction. They were both lost in the moment when he had heard a sound on the other side of the pool house, and he pulled back roughly, afraid of being caught. His heart raced and he couldn’t push away fast enough.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered to the boy, “I’m so sorry. Please don’t tell anyone. Please!”

The boy had stared wordlessly, trembling in the cold, his lips swollen from Matthew’s kisses. That image had been burned into his memory as he turned to run, fleeing the scene without another glance back.

That night had haunted him for years. He had always wondered about the teenager he had kissed. Even to this day, he dreamed about that kiss.

“Oh my God,” Matthew whispered, stepping closer, so their faces were only an inch apart, “it’s you.”

Tyler trembled and looked away. He swallowed hard before looking back. “You remember?” he whispered.