Page 418 of Sticks and Stones
Corbin lifted his head.
“Are you sure you want to live the rest of your life chasing these demons?” he asked. “If you don’t, Will, I won’t be upset. I’ll understand.”
He put his fingers over his bruised and battered lips to stop him from speaking.
“Yes. I want to chase the demons, and hold your hand when it’s too much. I want you to need me, Corbin, because I need you. Had you died, I would have been lost. So let me chase. Let me fight for you. Just let me be here.”
Corbin picked up their joined hand, and he did something very Corbin-like.
He kissed their joined knuckles.
It was something Gene always did with Ethan, and something he never thought to do before seeing it. It was sweet, and it was special.
Will rested his forehead against Corbin’s.
“We have this.”
Corbin believed him.
“Promise me that you’ll never leave me,” he whispered. “Promise you’ll stay with me so I can fight this,” he asked.
Will didn’t hesitate.
“I promise.”
That was all Corbin needed to hear.
“Then, I’ll promise to keep fighting to find me again, Will. I’ll fight to get back to you.”
He brushed some of his hair from his eyes.
“It’s a deal,” he said.
Corbin focused on the bag.
“What else did you bring?” he asked, pulling the ice cream closer to him.
Ice cream did sound good.
Will smiled.
“Close your eyes and put out your hand. This is your surprise.”
Corbin did what he asked, and when something was put in his hands, he opened them.
It made him laugh.
“Clue?”
Will wiggled his eyebrows.
“Yep.”
That amused Corbin.
“Going to take advantage of me while I’m not at my best?”
Will was amused.
