Chapter 97

The blue in his eyes caught the light, under rumpled brown waves. He waited for Jason to finish, not pushing.

“I just,” Jason said. “I don’t want you to have to…they’re kind of…also I sort of never brought a guy around…they’ll love you. I love you. Never mind.”

“I do understand.” Colby reached out, took both Jason’s hands, simply held them. “It’s not simply about me. It is, of course—we know about me and, well, the difficulties of me—but it’s also important for you. It’s different when it’s not theoretical, bringing someone to meet your friends. But I’m here for you, as well. The way you’re here for me.”

Jason stood there in Brick’s driveway, sunshine warm on his shoulders, and held Colby’s hands. Was purely in love.