Chapter 65

Russell Adams was having a party at the downtown hotel where prom was being held and had invited us.I didn’t even ask how he was able to rent the room.He was Russell Adams.Things always seemed to go his way.

When I’d talked with Jeff about stopping by the party after prom,he hedged around the question and never really answered.It was weird,but I’d let it go.

Now,as I dressed in my room,I couldn’t stop smiling.I’d never told anyone outside of my family that I loved them.But I had no doubt about how I felt about Jeff.Maybe prom would be the perfect night to say the words.The more I thought about it,the more excited I became.I loved him so much and it was important he knew.

I also knew I wanted to finally give myself to him.We’d been moving toward that every time we’d been intimate,but we’d never crossed that line.I enjoyed everything we did and wanted to finally be one with him.

That night when we got home from the dance,I would share my plans with him.

At a knock at the door,I called out,“Not ready yet.”

“Okay.I’ll meet you downstairs,”Jeff said.

“Couple more minutes.”

We were heading to dinner first,but he hadn’t told me where.He was being so mysterious.I mean,I knew it was prom,but he was almost acting like it was our first date.

Oh,my God!It wasour first date.We’d been so busy with school,work,and dealing with my father and the death of my mom,we’d never really gone out on a date.Not a real one.My knees suddenly felt like jelly and I sunk onto my bed.

Our first date.Things had certainly changed quickly.But when I really thought about it,we’d been heading down this path for years.Can a person meet their soul mate in middle school?Can hearts find each other that simply?We had instantly connected,and no matter what happened in our lives,we’d both made sure to make each other top priority.

I had always loved my mom and would forever.And I certainly loved my grandparents and my sister.But I knew I’d always loved Jeff.Not romantically at first,yet still different than what I felt for my family.From the first time I’d met him,I knew he wouldn’t judge me.About anything.Deep down,I had known he would be okay with my being gay,even before I knew he was,too.It was my own fear that had kept part of my life hidden.Not sharing with him had been my own choice and there was no way I truly believed he’d stop being my friend.I might have told myself that and had used it as an excuse,but the reality was simpler—I was scared of my life changing.Scared of my father finding out.Scared of what would happen at school.

None of my fears had materialized.Well,my father sure didn’t take it well,but disappointing the man who killed my mother was the least of my worries.I was putting him in the past and moving on.

I had a lot to look forward to.For instance,the prom.I stepped in front of the full-length mirror on the back of the door.

It shocked me to see myself in a tuxedo.I looked…mature.I liked how the teal vest and bow tie popped against the black tux with shiny lapels and white button-down shirt.The satiny black stripe down the legs was a nice touch,too.I turned to see how it fit in the back and flipped up the jacket.The pants hugged my ass,but not too tightly.I couldn’t help grinning as I thought how Jeff liked to grab my ass.

One more glance,a quick glide of my fingers through my hair,and I felt ready.As I reached for the door handle,I took a deep breath.Something told me this evening would become a favorite memory.

As I descended the stairs,I took in the sight of Jeff waiting by the front door.My breath hitched.He looked sexy as hell in his matching tuxedo,with a teal bow tie and cummerbund.My body reacted as the image of all our tuxedo finery lying on the floor flashed through my mind.I wanted him so badly I’d happily skip the damn prom.

“Oh,you boys look amazing!”

I winced at the sound of Judy’s voice.I’d been so caught up in Jeff,I hadn’t seen her standing there.

She pulled me close.“You are so handsome,Aaron!”

My face heated at her praise,but her words and actions seemed so…motherly.I swallowed through the thick lump in my throat and blinked back the tears that sprang to my eyes.I wondered if my mom was watching me and knew I was going to prom.

Judy placed her hands on my shoulders.“Your mom would be so proud,Aaron.”

My heart fluttered;she knew exactly what I’d been thinking.I sniffled a little as she let go and stepped back.

Jeff came over and cupped my cheeks,his thumb wiping the stray tear that had started to fall.“She’s right.You dolook amazing.”

“So do you.”

“Okay,you two,I have to get some pictures.”

“Mom—”Jeff began to protest,but I put my hand on top of his,still on my cheek.This was an important night for us.I wanted a picture,too.He nodded his understanding and turned back to her.“Fine,where do you want us?”

She beamed.“Let’s do a few in front of the fireplace and some by the door.”

Jeff shot me a look of annoyance,but I shrugged and smiled.It felt good to have a woman fussing over me.I pulled him toward the fireplace.

By the time we finished with pictures,about thirty minutes had passed and my stomach started growling.