“I can’t imagine what could’ve happened if you hadn’t come,” Jake said to Aaron.
“I still don’t know what to say. I’d rather not recall those terrifying moments,” Luke added.
Jake reached down to his boyfriend leaning on his shoulder. He stroked the soft dark hair affectionately. It was a week after the ill-fated day and Luke had been released from the hospital after recovering, not only from that day’s injuries, but the ones he’d suffered at the hands of Craig Sr. He was sitting next to Jake on his mother’s sofa while Debbie and Aaron Thorne sat opposite them.
Aaron gazed at them, smiling, his eyes softening.
“You don’t need to say anything,” he replied. “It’s my duty to make sure everyone is safe. Besides, you were lucky Jake came faster.”
Jake shifted. He looked restless.
“Jake, w
