As the summer came to an end, Hunter was more and more convinced that Jensen was straight. They had gone out a few times with Viktoriya and Jordan. Jensen was constantly touching her and laughing, and Hunter felt his heart break every time they smiled at each other. He knew Jensen still had feelings for her and it hurt him.

Jensen took Viktoriya’s hand. “I’m so glad you and Jordan are hanging out again.”

“Well, since he was here for the whole summer it was easier. You didn’t tell him, did you?” Viktoriya motioned to Hunter talking to Jordan.

“No, I don’t think I can. He’s never looks at me like that. He’s my best friend.”

“Whom you love.” Viktoriya hugged him. “Don’t waste time, Jensen.”

“Thanks for being here for me.” Jensen smiled and hugged her hard.

“I’d do anything for you, Jensen.” Viktoriya kissed his cheek.

Hunter couldn’t take it anymore. He said goodnight to Jordan and waved at them as he left the club.

“Where are you going?” Jensen ran out after him.

“Home. I’m tired.” Hunter pulled his keys out.

“You wanna spend the night at my house?”

“Nah. I should go home and spend some time with my dads. We leave in two days.”

“That’s my point.” Jensen took his hand. “I won’t see you until Christmas.”

“Maybe that’s a good thing.” Hunter unlocked his car door.

“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” Jensen pulled him around.

“Look, it’s obvious to me that we’re drifting apart, Jensen. We don’t want the same things anymore.”

“What do you want that I don’t?”

It was on the tip of his tongue to blurt out that he wanted Jensen. Had always wanted him.

“I just want to go home. ʼBye, Jensen.”

Jensen watched him drive off and pain washed over him. Hunter was his best friend and he had no idea what had just happened.

Most of Evan’s summer had consisted of trying to keep his hands off Ryan. It was exhausting. Evan was actually happy he would be getting a sixth-month break from being in Ryan’s close proximity. It was getting worse; every time he saw him he wanted to touch him and kiss him.

“Earth to Van.” Ryan had his head tilted, looking at him.

“What?”

“Where the hell were you just now?”

“Thinking about school, my friends.”

“Really? Because I was just sitting here thinking about how much I was going to miss you.”

“We talk all the time.”

Ryan took his hand. “It’s not the same.”

The way Ryan was looking at him turned his insides to mush. God, he wanted him so much but Ryan had never given any slightest hint he wanted him in that way. Evan needed to make a clean break.

“I think I’ll date this year. I can afford to now, my grades are smokin’.”

“Who are you going to date?” Ryan managed over the shattering of his heart. Neither one of them had ever gone out with anyone.

“I think I’ll flip a coin.”

“Well, that’s just great.” Ryan stood up. “I’m so glad you find this funny.”

“What is up with you?”

“We always talk about everything and you just spring this on me?”

“It’s a date, Ryan. It’s not brain surgery.”

“Well, I guess I’ll date too then.” Ryan smirked.

“Fine.”

“Fine!” Ryan walked in the house and slammed the door.

“What the fuck just happened?” Evan sat back.

Joshua arrived home just in time to see everyone leaving. When he got off the plane, Katarina crashed into him.

“I missed you!”

Joshua smiled and felt her face in his neck. “I missed you too.”

“Dude, this sucks,” Jensen complained.

“I know.” Joshua hugged him. “Call me.”

“You know it, big brother.”

Joshua hugged Evan. “Anything happen?”

“Oh, so much. Text you later.” Evan smiled.

Ryan hugged Katarina. “I’m going to miss you.”

“My little brother is leaving me.” Katarina cried as her brother held her.

“I’ll see you at Christmas.” Ryan kissed her cheek. He turned and told Evan, “I’ll call you.”

“You’d better.” Evan pulled him into his chest. “You know I love you.”

“I love you too.” Ryan felt Evan’s arms around him and wanted to cry. Six months until he would see him in person again.

Juliet hadn’t stopped hugging Conner since they had gotten to the airport. Now, she held his face in her hands and smiled.

“Call me, okay?”

“I will.” Conner brushed his lips across hers softly. “Bye.”

The dads were saying their goodbyes to the kids and Jensen asked Hunter, “We still friends?”

“We always will be.” Hunter hugged him hard. “Best friends.”

“I love you.” Jensen had tears in his eyes.

“I love you too,” Hunter whispered. He knew his love was different than Jensen’s. He was in love with him.

James and Theo arrived at Stefan and Jordan’s and Jake looked at them both, smiled, and shook Theo’s hand.

“I talked to my mom,” Jake said.

“Oh, really?” Theo looked nervous.

“Yes, after James brought you to meet her I called. She basically spanked me over the phone for being an ass. I’m sorry.”

Theo sighed. “Oh, thank God.”

“I told you she loved you.” James palmed his face.

“Yeah, well, I got the same verbal smackdown when Tomas took Leo home.” Dante chuckled.

“I guess you made a good impression,” Parker told Theo.

“Oh yeah, she went on and on about how gorgeous you were.” Jake rolled his eyes.

“Where are Tomas and Leo?” James looked around.

“On their way.” Dante smiled.

 

Tomas had parked the car on a back road and was in the back seat making love to Leo. Leo was hanging onto the door handle for dear life. The way Tomas made love to him was different every time.

Tomas changed up the thrusts — hitting Leo hard, pulling out slow and starting all over again. The car was rocking and all the windows were fogged.

“Tomas, I’m coming!”

They both came with loud moans and Tomas collapsed onto Leo, kissing him. They stayed there for what seemed like hours until Leo checked his watch.

“Um, we’re late.”

Tomas smiled. “We have an excellent excuse.”

“Did you puncture a tire? Because ‘Sorry we’re late, we were having sex’ is really not the best excuse.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really.” Leo got up and pulled his pants back on, then pulled Tomas in to kiss him.

“Stop doing that.” Tomas kept his eyes closed as Leo ran his lips softly over his own.

“Come on, sexy.” Leo crawled into the front seat.

“Do we really have to go?” Tomas pouted.

Leo pulled him into his lap and took his mouth. “Yes.”

“Will you do that again later?”

“Fuck, yes.”

They got to Stefan and Jordan’s and Dante grinned at his brother. “Uh huh.”

“What?” Tomas asked.

“Your shirt is on backwards.” James chuckled.

Leo busted out laughing. “Ooops.”

“You knew!” Tomas smacked his ass.

“Okay, so anyway.” Jake rolled his eyes. “Nico and Stefan are heading to Russia for the final stage of training and Lorenzo wants you guys out there as back-up.”

“Back-up to what? Have you seen those two?” Theo asked.

“No shit,” James agreed. “They don’t need help.”

“I’m good, and I mean damn good, but Stefan took me down in less than a minute,” Tomas admitted.

“And Nico?” Leo shuddered. “Did you see him knife throwing?”

“They are going to be very valuable assets. Nico is just like Vince — no mercy.” Parker nodded.

“When do we leave?” James asked.

Jake checked his watch. “Now.”