Page 21 of Noah

I laughed and tossed a lime slice at Liam's head. "Asshole."

"That you love," Liam shouted back.

Brody's eyebrows were pinched when I turned back to him.

"It's nothing. I love all my friends. We've known each other for a long time. Been through so much together. Just friends, though." Not sure why I felt the need to explain that.

Because you like this guy.

"Enjoy your wings."

I needed to step away for a bit. Something was happening between us. I'd never felt a deep yearning for someone like this before. And now that Brody was letting me into his life a little, I felt the pull even more. When I came back, Brody held my gaze and smiled at me.

My heart nearly tumbled into my belly.

"So, I guess I won't see you until Monday," I said.

Brody smirked. "Will you miss me?"

I laughed, reveling in the change in Brody's demeanour from a week ago. "Yes, I will."

"We still have lots to talk about."

"That we do."

"I like talking to you."

"I like talking to you too, Brody."

He finished with the wet wipe and then downed the remnants of his drink. "I should go." He rose from his chair and put on his coat and toque. He looked up at me and sucked his bottom lip into his mouth then sank his teeth into it. He looked adorable. God, I wanted to kiss him.

I shot him my best smile. "Missing you already."

His cheeks reddened and I was rewarded with a shy smile. "See you Monday."

I couldn't get him out of my mind for the rest of the night. In the span of one week, my world had been knocked off kilter and I'd been left to walk the knife edge of excited and terrified.

I was still deciding which side to land on.

The Rainbow LGBTQ Youth Centre was in its usual state of chaos for a Saturday. Ever since we'd opened our doors to allies, the number of kids who poured in for the programs was wonderful. We were constantly trying to add more and more resources and fun to help the kids thrive.

Jamal was in the process of hiring a therapist who specializes in LGBTQ youth. Doing so was going to be a game changer. Many of these kids had been cast out of their families, or they were too scared to tell their parents they were queer because they feared similar outcomes as the kids who now found themselves living on the streets or in youth shelters, getting by through begging, theft, and prostituting themselves. They'd been robbed of their childhood, and we were doing our best to give some of that back to them.

I walked into Jamal's office to find out what was being done about the computers.

"Hey, Noah. How's your Saturday going?" As always, Jamal was bright and cheerful. He had such a positive outlook on what was being done at the centre.

"The pub is hopping."

"I know I've said it before but thank you for taking time out of your busy day to come down here and help us. You have no idea how much it's appreciated."

"It's the least I can do for these kids. I wish I'd had a centre like this growing up."

Jamal rolled his wheelchair to a position behind his desk. Many years back, before I knew him, Jamal had been hit by a car while cycling to work. He'd lost the use of both legs, but he always amazed me with his bright and positive attitude. He was a real inspiration.

"Were your parents supportive when you came out?" he asked.

"Um … sort of. I was fifteen when I told them I was gay. Got my nerve up after telling Liam and then finding out he was gay too."

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