I support my weight on my arms as I roll on top of him, breathing heavily. “We can go slow…” I trail off as he slips his hand down the front of my boxers, gripping me firmly.

My cock jerks with need and I’m seriously about to fucking lose it before we even get started.

He swallows nervously and shakes his head. “No. No more Ferris Wheel.”

I can’t help myself. Laughter erupts from my chest.

He grins proudly. “That really was a good one, wasn’t it? And I didn’t even plan it.”

I shake my head, still laughing a little, but the laughter swiftly fades as he starts moving his hand up and down.

I struggle to breathe, needing to know, “Are you sure you’re sure? I promise we don’t have to do this now… I know you’ve had to deal with a lot lately. I don’t want to push you into anything.”

“Greyson, I’m sure. Trust me. I’m more sure about this than anything else.” Then he pushes up on his elbow and seals his lips to mine.

Chapter 18

Seth

I hate that I’m still afraid. For a moment, I put up my walls and fall straight into my usual defense mechanism, cracking some absurdly inappropriately timed joke about Ferris Wheels. Still, it gets Greyson to laugh and helps me breathe just a little bit easier.

We start off slow, allowing our hands and mouths to search each other’s bodies. His skin is so soft, his body so amazing, and he tastes like mint and chocolate, completely delicious. I get lost in it. Him. Everything that is him. Nothing about the situation is funny, and I don’t want it to be.

My nerves start to get the best of me when he rolls the condom down his length, but then he kisses me and everything is okay. Just. Like. That.

“Are you sure?” Greyson checks for the millionth time, simply because that’s the kind of guy he is.

He’s the guy who always makes sure I’m okay, who is by far the most patient person I’ve ever met, who makes me feel safe, and who puts my needs before his own. Of course, because I’m the slightest bit vain, I have to add how incredibly sexy he is to the list.

Since I’m nervous beyond belief, I open my mouth to tease him about asking me again, but not wanting to ruin the moment, I decide just to nod. “I love you.”

His lips tug to a lopsided grin. “I love you, too.”

Greyson spent a long time preparing me and once he’s inside me, I wonder what I was so afraid of to begin with. It’s better than I ever imagined, completely opposite of the one-sided fumbling I experienced before. It’s a perfect balance of give and take and give and take as he grips me in his hand, rocking into me while I kiss him with all the pent up desire I have in me. We completely lose it together, kissing all the way to the end.

Greyson climbs off of me, cleaning both of us before we lie down in bed together wrapped in each other’s arms. It remains silent for a while, the soft moonlight trailing through the window and across his face.

“What are you thinking about?” I ask as I slide my knee between his legs.

“Something my mom said.” He turns his head, slides his hand around the back of my neck, and plays with the hair at my nape. “She made this prediction that I was going to meet someone while I was here.”

“So, you believe her now about being psychic?” I ask as he slips his other arm under my head.

“No, I think us being together… that was all us. Yeah, it hasn’t been easy, but it’s worth it.”

“Yeah, it is.” I stare at the bracelet he gave me. The thing is hideous, but what it represents is the most beautiful thing in the world. Every time I look at it, I’ll remember that not all the world is ugly and full of hate. That there are people out there who firmly believe that no one should ever be afraid to love. That love is simply love, and that regardless of the form in which it arrives, that there’s beauty in it all. “I’m going to try to do better. I know it might take me a while to completely be myself in front of everyone, but I promise I’ll get there.”

“I know you will. And you want to know why?” He grazes his fingers along the scars on my arm. “Because you’re seriously the fucking strongest person I’ve ever met.”

“I wouldn’t go that far. Just wait until you try to get me to exercise, then you’ll realize how weak I am.” He shakes his head and I smile. “I’m kidding. Seriously, thank you for saying that. It means a lot.”

We kiss until we fall asleep in each other’s arms, and I drift into the most peaceful dreams I’ve had in a long time.

Chapter 19

Three weeks later…

Seth

For once in my life, I actually feel like I’m being myself. Now that I’m not so afraid, I’ve started opening up more. Sure, I still crack jokes sometimes to cover up my feelings, just like I sprinkle my flamboyant opinions wherever I see fit.

Greyson and I are officially together and a lot of people know about it. Yes, it’s terrifying when someone makes some snide comment or stares at us when we’re holding hands, but I’ve mostly felt the love, more than I thought I ever would. And no matter what happens, Greyson, Callie, and, yes, even Luke and Kayden have been super supportive.

I’ve even decided to start dipping my toe into the world of sports. Granted, I find it rather boring, but Greyson seems into it, which is enough for me to go sit on the bleachers and pretend not to smell the stench of sweat that seems to permeate the air whenever anything athletic is involved.