[AVA]The quietness of the room felt suffocating, almost too heavy to bear. The only sound was the gentle beeping of the machines, marking each heartbeat and breath of Kian. I took a seat beside his bed, feeling the weight of exhaustion creeping up my spine. Brian sat across from me, looking stoic and silent, lost in his own thoughts.Sean came in and joined us, his eyes bloodshot and his face haggard. We sat in a solemn silence, each lost in our own thoughts about Kian’s condition. Sean and Brian discussed his state in hushed tones, occasionally glancing at Kian. I couldn’t help but feel a lump in my throat as I watched Kian’s chest rise and fall steadily, the machines beeping a reassuring rhythm.Time seemed to stretch on endlessly, and I found myself staring at Kian’s still form, willing him to wake up. But the medication had rendered him unconscious, and we could only wait and hope for him to come back to us.Max arrived about half an hour after Sean did. He sat next to Kian, and
[AVA]“I think I’m gonna do it,” Sean said, his voice firm and resolute. I could see the determination in his eyes and knew he was serious about coming out to his dad.I couldn’t help but feel excited for him. “Are you serious? What happened to needing more time?”Sean shrugged, absentmindedly tapping the straw in his virgin mojito. “I don’t know. I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately. And if someone like Brian is okay with me being gay, then maybe Dad will be too. They’re friends and have known each other for a long time. Who knows, maybe they’ve rubbed off on each other, and Dad won’t be the hard nut to crack that I’ve always imagined him to be.”I couldn’t help but feel a surge of pride for him. Coming out to his dad was a huge step, and I knew it would take a lot of courage. But at the same time, I couldn’t shake the nagging worry that lingered in the back of my mind. What if his dad didn’t take it well? What if their relationship was irreparably damaged?Despite my reservation
[AVA]I stumbled backward, my heart hammering against my chest. The sound of my mom's voice, high-pitched and panicked, filled my ears. I could barely make out her words, but the tone was enough to set my nerves on edge.I rushed toward my bedroom, fumbling with the knob as I tried to get inside. I could hear her footsteps approaching, getting closer and closer.Finally, I got the door open and slammed it shut behind me. My mom was yelling my name now, and I could hear her pounding on the door.I stood there for a moment, catching my breath and trying to process what I had just witnessed. This was not real. This was not real. This was not real. I kept chanting to myself. My mind was racing, and I couldn't seem to focus on anything.Then, the reality of the situation hit me like a ton of bricks. Beau Edwards, my best friend's father, was having an affair with my mother. My stomach turned at the thought, and I felt sick to my core.I looked around my room, trying to find something to ho
[BRIAN]As I sat in my car, tapping my fingers on the steering wheel, I couldn't help the mixture of excitement and nervousness coursing through my veins.It was unlike me to be so impulsive, but when Ava texted me earlier, I knew she needed a break.And I wanted to be the one to give it to her.I couldn't quite explain why, but it felt like the right thing to do. Despite my attempts to label it as the worst decision ever, I couldn't convince myself to really believe it.What if this was too much for her? What if she didn't want my help? But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't shake off the feeling that I had to be there for her, even if it meant stepping out of my comfort zone.And waiting outside her apartment building, while the rest of the world was fast asleep, waiting to whisk her away from her troubles, was completely outside of my comfort zone. In that moment, I felt like a different person entirely. The Brian Reinhold that the world knew would never do something so impulsi
[AVA]I woke up to the sound of birds chirping outside my window. It took me a moment to remember where I was, and then the events of the previous night flooded my mind. I sat up and looked around, taking in the rustic charm of the cabin.I still couldn’t believe he brought me to his safe haven, or at least, that’s what Val used to call this place. When he told me yesterday that he had a surprise for me, I never expected it to be this cabin. But it was a pleasant surprise, so much so that I couldn’t hold back my tears as Brian struggled with the lock and key.I stretched and yawned, feeling the warmth of the morning sun seeping through the window. This was already proving to be a welcome change from the clusterfuck of the previous day. I had no clue how I would have dealt with everything if I were back home, from confronting mom without having a meltdown to looking at dad’s obliviousness without feeling like I wanted to murder someone.So instead, I took up Brian’s invitation and pack
[BRIAN]My mind was racing as I felt her lips on mine. I knew I shouldn't have kissed her back, but the feeling was too overwhelming to resist. Her lips were soft, and her touch was like a wildfire that ignited every inch of my body.I knew that this couldn't work out between us. It was forbidden, and even if it wasn't, there were so many obstacles in our way. Her father—my mentor, my son, the difference in our age, my guilt, and my broken heart. But at that moment, none of it seemed to matter. All I could think about was the taste of her on my lips and the warmth of her body against mine.As our lips touched, I was hit with a wave of desire. I couldn't help but deepen the kiss. It was slow at first, almost tentative, as if we were both afraid of where this would lead. But as the passion between us grew, the kiss became more urgent and desperate.I could taste the sweetness of her lips, a tantalizing mixture of cherry and vanilla. It was intoxicating, and I couldn't get enough. I ran
[AVA]As we walked back to the cabin, my mind was racing. I couldn't believe what just happened between Brian and me. The way he had touched me, kissed me, and made me feel alive had been nothing short of amazing. I had always known that there was something special between us, but I never thought we would act on it.I stole a glance at Brian and saw that he was lost in thought as well. His face was flushed and he looked dazed, as if he couldn't believe what had just happened either. I wondered if he regretted it or if he wanted more.When we reached the cabin, Brian opened the door and motioned for me to go in first. The air inside was still and quiet, and the only sound was the soft hum of the refrigerator. I stood in the middle of the room, unsure of what to do next.Brian closed the door behind him and walked towards me. He reached out and took my hand, pulling me towards him. Our eyes met, and I felt my heart skip a beat. His gaze was intense, filled with a mixture of desire and u
[BRIAN]As I lay beside Ava, watching her sleep, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of contentment wash over me. The events of last night were still fresh in my mind, and I couldn’t believe how incredible it had been. She was so beautiful, so passionate, and I couldn’t get enough of her.As much as I was enjoying the moment with Ava, a small voice in the back of my mind kept reminding me of the potential consequences of our actions. It was as if I was walking on a tightrope, and the slightest misstep could send everything crashing down.I was finding it hard to shake off the worry that once we stepped out of this place, reality would hit us hard. The dream we had been weaving since yesterday would shatter, leaving us to deal with the harsh consequences.But another truth was that I couldn’t deny the intense feelings that being with Ava stirred inside me. It had been so long since I had experienced such a strong, passionate connection with someone. Even with Georgina, my ex-wife, I had n