Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 9

Please, please be sure.
    Sean cupped Jase's face in his hands. "I'm sure. I never would have told you how I felt if I wasn't sure. I decided before she even called me back last night. I've spent the entire time we've been together walking on eggshells, never knowing what was going to set her off, and I can't do it anymore. It's not good for Cody."
    "Or you."
    "Or me." Sean smiled, and then turned solemn and serious. "Even if Lisa comes back, Jase, I am still leaving. I'm planning on spending Monday finding a lawyer. Even if she changes her mind about Cody, I think I have a pretty good shot at getting full custody given her behavior. But I really hope it doesn't come to that."
    "God, I hope not either." Jase peeled Sean's hands off his face and locked his hands with Tag's. "It's going to be expensive Tag, like five thousand dollar retainer expensive. How are you going to afford it?"
    "I'll figure something out. Third year teachers don't make much, I'm doing better than a lot of people I know. I actually have OK credit. If I have to put it on a couple credit cards I can swing it. God, I never thought I'd be dealing with this shit at age twenty-four you know?"
    I never thought I'd be sitting here like this with you. "Yeah." It was getting late. They sat silently for a moment, hands entwined. Then Sean let out a huge yawn.
    "Mmmph. Sorry Jase, I'm getting sleepy." He stretched and stood up from the couch. "Clearly we can't solve everything tonight. I'm turning in." He blushed as he asked, "Will you come sleep in the bed with me? Just sleep, OK? I just want to be next you." He held out his hand to Jase.
    Jase looked up at Tag. He knew he should stay right there on the couch, but he couldn't resist those wide brown puppy dog eyes looking down on him. He wanted to be next to Tag too. He nodded and let Sean pull him up and lead him through the kitchen and down the hallway to the bedroom.
    They both took turns in the bathroom, and though it was a bit warm for it, both chose to wear pajama pants. When Jase came out of the bathroom, Tag was changing the sheets without Jase even having to ask. He handed Jase a pillow and a clean case. "Here, take that one. It's mine. I'll take the other one." Lisa's pillow. He'd be lying if he said he didn't feel a little weird about this. This was a little bit like walking on Lisa's grave. She left him , Jase reminded himself.
    When Sean finished, they stood on opposite sides of the bed and pulled back the covers. Jase pulled off his t-shirt and tossed in on a chair. Tag stared at him with hungry eyes, and pulled his shirt over his head as well. Jase bit his lip and held back a groan. Tag had more tattoos. There were at least three new ones that he could see, tribal patterns on each pec, and a dragon, low on his left stomach, that halfway disappeared beneath his drawstring pants. Jase ended up hopping quickly into the bed, when the thought of following the dragon's tail into Tag's pants caused in him a very noticeable reaction. Sean killed the light and climbed in next to him. He scooted over till his shoulder was pressed against Jase's chest. Jase reached across Tag's body and grabbed his hand. His forehead touched the side of Tag's head. He smells like home, he thought. He squeezed Tag's hand and whispered. "Nite Tag."
    "Nite Jase."
    CHAPTER 5
    It was barely light outside, which in summer meant it was probably a little before five in the morning. Jase was sitting quietly on the area rug on the floor in Cody's room, watching Cody sleep. He was thinking about Tag and Cody. He'd been restless, tossing and turning, so he'd gone to check on Cody about an hour ago, and was still sitting here. Today marked his third morning in the Taggert household.
    Tag was doing much better, Jase knew. He'd been a mess that first day, and Jase was relieved that after a couple days he seemed much more like the steady, happy old Sean that Jase had known in school. Jase knew too, that a lot of it was because he was there. He'd admitted to himself, that it wasn't just Sean who felt better because they were together. He felt better too. Like from the moment he'd hugged Tag, it had been easier to breathe.
    Jase had been frequently astonished over the past days as he came to realize the depth of his feelings for Sean, which, prior to Tag's confession, he'd either been completely unaware of, or hadn't understood the significance of. He'd been attracted to Sean, which he had largely ignored before Tag kissed him, and he