I'm sick of being called Junior. Sure, I'm William Nicholas Martens, Jr., but I just want to go by Nick. I'm sick of my boyfriend mismatching his socks on purpose. And I'm sick of being in the closet.<br><br>All this changes when my band Taking Back Nick lands a record deal. My friends Casey, Kennedy, Levi, and I are about to make it big. In one night I come out to my parents and break up with my boyfriend. And then the hard part starts. Casey is my oldest friend, and I move in with him after my breakup. But things ... start to happen.<br><br>We skyrocket to fame, but Casey finds himself in the middle of some serious addiction issues. Combined with him showing me so much affection, I start to worry there's more going on than just the stress of success. Will Casey be able to overcome his addictions and find happiness? More importantly, will that happiness be with me?

Porch Light

I folded my arms over my chest. “No. I mean, maybe I used to be, but I really just feel differently. Like, he’s two different people. Drunk Casey really likes me and seems more like how I remember him. Sober Casey is…I don’t know. Something’s off, and I don’t really want to be around him like that. Which sounds horrible, right? I prefer my friend drunk? But he’s the most genuine when he’s been drinking.”


“Most people are. Their inhibitions are gone. Clearly, he has desires toward you. Maybe you should just drink with him and sleep with him to see what happens.”


I let out a sound of protest. “I could never take advantage of him like that. Besides, I like being here with you. I don’t need Casey to fill my needs that way.”


He seemed suddenly small and vulnerable. “So, I’m not just a replacement for him?”


God, I wondered if he believed me. I wondered if I believed me.


Chapter 48