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

We didn’t talk about Casey drinking two drinks to our one. Or his multiple trips to the bathroom, where he would return all invigorated.


“Let’s dance!” Casey stood and grabbed me and Kennedy, pulling us onto the dance floor. Levi followed reluctantly. Soon we were all laughing in a group, showing off our various moves.


Kennedy was making eyes at a young guy by the bar, and soon disappeared to go talk with him. Levi went to sit back down, and then it was just me and Casey on the dance floor to ring in the new year.


The countdown started, and I couldn’t help but look at Casey hopefully. But he exchanged a glance with a nearby blonde girl. They gestured to each other and gave a thumbs up. It hit midnight, and they kissed. And everybody around me kissed. I walked back over to the table to sit with Levi.


We clinked our glasses together while I laughed. “Happy New Year, Levi.”


Chapter 57