For now

Jason grins at Katie’s remark and nods. “Thanks, Hero. See ya.”

The guys all return Katie’s hugs with warm enthusiasm, Kyle purposefully roughing up her hair. “Night, you. Take it easy.”

Scott takes her hand and they walk out of TJY. Hitting the night air, Scott takes a deep breath, his pace slow. He was leaving this week…and though planning to be back on weekends, the separation would be hard and he knew it. So for now, every moment with Katie was a savored one.

Reaching her car, he stops her for a moment and embraces her to giver her a kiss. “Night, Katie. I’ll follow you, then see you in the morning.”


Jen piles several bags onto her lap, making sure a nice bag of leftovers are left for Jason, making sure he promises to include Rick if he wants anything.

Mike helps Jen out and down the hall while Phil and Kyle keep their arms full and follow, Phil hollering over his shoulder that he’ll be back for the his guitar.

The room grows quiet. Jason sighs and closes his eyes, exhausted, but feeling good.

A light stroke to his arm makes him open his eyes again and he turns his head to Camryn who is still sitting on the edge of the bed. He offers her a grin. “Thanks for coming tonight.”

Camryn smiles back, her eyes shining. “You know good and well that you don’t have to thank me.” She cocks her head. “You got a really good batch of friends here, you know that?”

“Yeah….I do.” Jason nods. Catching Camryn’s eye, he pauses. “I think I got one right here too.”

“Just a friend?”

Jason quirks an eyebrow at the implications of the question. “I don’t know…what do you think?”

Camryn’s cheeks become lightly flushed, but she doesn’t let any embarrassment stop her. “I think you know good and well what I think.”

“Do I now?”

Camryn slides closer to him, resting her hand on his chest. “Maybe I ought to show you.”

As she nears, Jason’s pulse quickens. His face inches from hers, he could feel her breath on his skin. “Fine time,” he whispers with mock annoyance. “I can’t even get away.”

Camryn grins. Leaning in, she wraps her arms around him, moving in to press her lips to his in a passionate kiss.

Even though Jason knew it was coming, it still takes him a bit by surprise and he resists for a moment. But as his hands rest on her arms, be begins to relent. Her kiss was warm, begging him to accept it.

Slowly his hands slide to Camryn’s back as he begins to return her kiss, gradually falling into the moment, releasing pent up passion. Nothing else seemed to matter in this instant. Not time, not his physical pain…everything was forgotten. No emotions were blocked.

Jason keeps Camryn wrapped in his arms for several moments, the exchange lasting until he slowly draws away. Staring into her eyes full of spark, he swallows hard. A fire had been lit within him. He was tired of fighting himself. He was tired of living in the dark. He was tired of holding back everything he wanted to say or experience. This…this is what he wanted…to throw caution to the wind and let himself be free. To have moments like these that could be replaced by nothing else. To live.


Carson’s eyes remain closed as he listens to Misty, absorbing her words, wanting to believe them. They were soft…soothing…comforting. Her presence beside him helped him feel comforted. Her arm around him like a shield from the storm. She was delicate, but strong, able to scare away the shadows with her gentle voice. He had nightmares…he had things in his past that were taunting him…but for now…for tonight…the worst was over.

An ever-so-slight grin tweaks the corner of his mouth. “Stuck with you, huh?” His arm wraps around her in a tight squeeze, forcing her even closer to him.

Bending his head, he moves in for a kiss of passion, his other hand coming to meet her face.

Letting it linger, he finally draws back. “I don’t think that’s such a bad thing.”