I closed my phone with a click before I made my way back to Molly’s room. I said my goodbyes to her and Mom before I headed out. My brother weren’t far behind, minus Lucas.

As we walked down the hall Nurse Melissa was walking down towards us but was engrossed in a chart. Smiling wickedly I stopped her.

“Melissa, I’m sorry for my rudeness earlier.” She looked up from the chart to my eyes. I saw her glance to Jake and I knew him and Jason had stopped to watch. She then pushed her glasses up onto her head.

“It’s no problem. If I was in the same situation I would have acted the same.” She started to walk away, but I stopped her by stepping into her path.

“I’m sorry to keep you away, but I just wanted to let you know I remember how well of a volleyball player you were. I never did get a chance to congratulate you and your teammates for winning the state championship two years in a row.” I saw fear itch into her eyes when she knew I recognized her.

“Thank you.” She whispered.

“No really. I remember seeing your winning jump serve in the paper. You ended up MVP if I’m not mistaking.”

“Yes I did” she flushed before I watched her eyes glance at Jake. Smiling a little I moved closer just to whisper to her.

“My boyfriend Shane Muller told me earlier that you didn’t have a chance with Jake in high school because he thought with his dick. You do have a chance now since he has matured from the Marines.” I leaned back and saw pure shock register on her face.

“Really?” she whispered before she smiled coldly. I hesitated a little on my smile. “Too bad I don’t give two shits about him. Tell Shane congrats and that I said hi. He gave me good advice.” She walked around me as I stood there a little stunned from the venom in her voice before it did a one-eighty for Shane.

“Wow...” Jason said amused a little. Jake just frowned at me.

“What did you tell her?” he said coldly. I just smirked. He is definitely interest in her. Shrugging I walked away. “Hey!” he yelled as I walked into the garage and got on my bike. “What the fuck did you tell her?” he said preventing me from getting on my bike. “And how did you know her?”

“Dude, she was in the same grade as you. Her and Shane were good friends. I told him that I had fun watching you two fight. He told me that you two fought before and it was hilarious for everyone in the class. She has fire, I like her. Maybe her, Shane and I can hang out one day.” I shrugged as I started my cycle.

“I never met her before.” Jake said over the engine. I just smiled at him.

Think about it. I mouthed before I backed up and zoomed away.

After a causal hour I made it back to the house since I took the back roads. Once home I slipped into bed and collapsed onto my bed. I dreamt of nothing but peace and quiet.

The next few days flew by while I spent most of my time with Molly and Mom in the hospital. Soon enough I took Mom home to Alison’s house where Lucas took care of her and spent time with his son. Tony and Alison were already acting as sisters even though I know Lucas hasn’t gotten the courage to ask the woman to marry him again.

Friday night came quick and my stomach was in a ball of nerves as I rode to Shane’s place. Once there I hopped off my bike in his driveway and admired the modern home. A large Pine tree took up most of his front yard, but I saw the lights hidden within it, and knew he had started decorating for Christmas. This also made me smile, since he was learning to remember the happy times, instead of their deaths. I couldn’t wait to give him the Christmas gift I had almost done.

Knocking on the door I didn’t have long to wait before Shane greeted me in his own leather riding pants, white t-shirt, and leather jacket. I stood there opened mouthed for a moment. I noticed though that his eyes traveled down my black leather jacket, black shirt and black leather pants that I had for winter rides.

“Love the outfit.” He smiled before he stepped outside with me. We walked to his garage and then he opened the door. My gaze went directly to the Harley Davidson Motorcycle.

“Love the bike.”I murmured. Shane just chuckled before he mounted the bike and looked back at me over his shoulder. The look he sent me shot right to my groin and I had to shift before I sat behind him on the bike. I put my helmet on before we left his driveway. I held tight to Shane as we headed to the local theater. I could barely concentrate on his driving since my hands were around his waist and I was having fun moving my hands to his spread thighs. I felt his groan rumble through his back and smiled in triumph. When we stopped at a light Shane turned and looked at me.

“Not nice and definitely, Not safe. Please, as much as I love your hands on me, not while I’m driving.” I nodded in understanding and kept my hands around his waist. A few minutes later he parked the bike in a parking spot and locked our helmets onto it.

“Ready?” he asked smiling. I smiled back and let him put his arm around my shoulder as we walked towards the parking lot.

Suddenly a blur of a person knocked Shane off of me and when I looked back he was sitting on the ground with a girl hugging him.

“Shane!” she squealed. I just raised an eyebrow at him. He looked at me and shrugged before he pushed the girl back. I watched his eyes widen a little at the woman.

“Brittany?” a smile took Shane’s lips before he hugged her back. I watched silently while trying to ignore the jealousy that shouldn’t be there, but old habits die hard. Finally they got off the ground while laughing.

“Long time no see or chat!” she said before trying to glare at Shane. He just shrugged again. Brittany then turned and looked behind her.

“I told you it was him.” She said to the man a little smaller in height than me who was walking to them shaking his head.

“Still, did you have to tackle him?”

“Oh hush Eric, I still can’t believe you didn’t recognize your own catcher.” Brittany turned back to Shane and smiled. “You do remember Eric right?”

Shane smiled at the couple. “Yes I do.” He stuck his hand out to Eric. “Nice to see an old teammate again.” Eric finally smiled and shook Shane’s hand. I looked back and was caught in Brittany’s curious gaze. My mind put pieces together quickly. Brittany Jackson and Eric Ulrick.

“You look familiar.” She said walking to me. I kept an emotionless face on but glanced at Shane to see him looking at me. Was that worry in his gaze?

“Brittany Jackson, co-captain of the soccer team.” I put my eyes to Eric and saw him narrow his eyes at me. “Eric Ulrick, Pitcher for the baseball team and Captain of Soccer team.” Eric’s eyes widen a bit before snapping brought my eyes back to Brittany.

“I know who you are. My sister dated you for a few weeks.” I just stayed blank of emotions. “Luke Willow, wow have you changed.” She said smiling.

Giving in, I smiled back and bowed my head to her.

“Wow, wouldn’t have guessed that.” Eric said putting an arm around Brittany probably claiming her. My eyes looked down at her hand and saw the band.

“I made a mistake, Brittany and Eric Ulrick.” I glanced at Shane and saw a little relief in his eyes. He then walked to me and stood beside me.

“Yep. Got married four years ago.” Brittany said happily. I saw her mind working as she looked between Shane and i.

“It was great running into you… literally.” Shane chuckled. I smiled and then grabbed his hand.

“If you would excuse us.” I said pulling Shane away. Shane squeezed my hand when we walked away, but I listened to the couple as we walked away, what Brittany said surprising me.

“I’m glad he finally got him. Poor Shane has been in love with him since freshman year.”

Shane and I walked in silence as we neared the front doors. When I glanced at him I saw him wearing a gentle smile. We got our tickets, drinks, and found our seats. The ads were still playing so we sat in silence until Shane put his arm around my shoulders and pulled my ear to his mouth.

“Thank you.” He whispered before he kissed my cheek. I looked at him serious.

“I’m not ashamed to admit anything.” I whispered back. Shane glanced at me with a raised eyebrow. “Okay, so I high school I might have been out of peer pressure, but we aren’t in high school.”

“You are right. I’m sorry for thinking otherwise.” Shane sat back in his seat and I gathered a little of my courage. Slowly I raised my hand and put it on his jaw. When he looked at me surprised, I pulled his face closer to me.

“And I’m not scared to do things with you.” I whispered before I kissed him. Shane’s hand tightened on my shoulder and drew me closer until pinching between my legs made me pull away. I looked in Shane’s eyes and saw his hunger for me. We stared into each others’ eyes but were interrupted when the movie started.

Part of the way through I put my hand on Shane’s thigh and barely heard his intake of breath. I softly let my thumb rub circles before I moved my hand up his inner thigh. I smiled when his hand came on top of mine.

“Stop.” He whispered in my ear. I just smiled before I leaned to his ear.

“You aren’t driving or endangering us with me doing this. So no, I won’t” I said before I moved forward a bit I nipped at his earlobe. I felt a shudder run through him and smiled. I couldn’t tell you what was going on in the movie. My only focus was seeing how far I could push Shane. His control was so strong that it was a challenge to me.

By the end of the movie, I knew Shane had an erection because I had one too. Though the man still looked cool and in complete control. That and the smug smile on his face told me that he knew what I was doing. The ride to his house was nice and I enjoyed every second I got to hold Shane. I left on my bike after I got a kiss from Shane that made the ride home uncomfortable in the leather pants, that I swore I would never wear again.

The next few weeks passed by quickly. Whenever I wasn’t at Alison’s home taking care of Molly, I was out with Shane. I took turns with Jake taking Molly to school since the others had other priorities. I didn’t mind, I got to watch Molly have fun in school. What bugged me though were the teachers that gave me their numbers. On the second time I took Molly, I wore the leather pants just to make them hesitate. I did become a little more comfortable in them. I had to tell one of Molly’s more persistent teachers that I was in fact gay and in a relationship. She didn’t take it well, but I heard from Jake that he got her number just to shut her up.

Christmas Eve, Shane and I had an evening planned together since all Christmas day would be at Alison’s with my family. I was eager to give him the gift I’ve been working on for quite some time. We took a trip to Washington D.C. together to see their lights. While walking through the park with a tree from each state before the national tree, Shane’s gift was burning a hole in my coat right to my heart.

“I love winter.” He said as we walked hand and hand together

“Why’s that?” I said glancing up at him. I watched as I small smile played with his lips.

“The crisp fresh air is cleaning everything so that the white snow will blanket everything and make an amazing photo even in the city.” I saw my chance and pulled Shane to a stop. He looked back at me confused.

“About photos…” I said nervous. I released Shane’s hand and got into my coat. Pulling out the hard copy of the thin book I saw his eyes widen. “I know it’s only Christmas eve, but I don’t think I’ll have time to give it to you tomorrow.” I handed him the six by eight hardcover book wrapped in green paper.

“What is it?” he said with a smile on his face. He looked so eager.

“It’s something that I hope you will like. I didn’t know if you would or not. I kept debating on whether or not to make it.” He started to pull the wrapping paper off.

“You made it?” he said sounding touched.

“Yeah.” I said when he pulled the paper away and looked at the white book with no pictures or words on the front. I watched his face.

He looked up at me confused and excited. He finally looked down and opened the book. I watched as his features changed with every page. When he was done he looked up at me and I saw his eyes were red.

In the mist of one of the visits at Shane's house I had opened a book that looked interesting. A picture had fallen out. The picture was of Shane and Quinn asleep on a couch. What I had found though was a message on the back from Quinn.

I know that we are good together Shane, but I hope one day that we will separate and you will get back with that one person who already has your heart. Love you always, Quinn.

I made the book full of photos with Shane and Quinn. Though I did change it to the group photos of him and the people he saved because of his accident with Quinn. The photo and message were last. Everything was a copy onto the paper so that the pictures wouldn’t get damaged and would always be safe in the photo book.

Shane’s eyes looked right through me as I waited for him to yell and be angry that I went through his personal things.

“Thank you. I love it.” He said as he smiled and walked up to me. He cupped my face with one hand before he leaned in and kissed me. When Shane pulled back I let out a relieved breath and looked into his eyes. I finally realized what he was looking at me with. He was looking at me with so much love in his gaze, that my heart constricted and then started beating double time.

“I love you.” Shane whispered. I smiled at him before I pulled him down for a deeper kiss. When I released him I didn’t let him get far. I looked him in those bright green eyes and let what I’ve been holding back out.

“I love you too” I whispered. Shane’s eyes widened a bit before they crinkled with his smile. He kissed me one more time before went back to walking the path. We only stopped to take pictures with the Virginia Tree and the National tree.

With each picture Shane held me against his chest as we smiled to the camera the stranger held for us. I loved being in his arms, and my smile was genuine. On the drive home, Shane was quieter than normal.

“You okay?” I asked softly. He glanced at me before looking back at the road.

“yeah. Just thinking.” He said neutrally which caught my attention.

“Thinking about what?”

“You got me a gift, but I’ve been stumped on what to get you. I was thinking about what to get you again.” He glanced at me again. “Do you know how hard it is to get you a gift?” he said teasingly but I heard the strain underneath.

“Shane, you don’t have to get me anything. I started making that book shortly after we met. I made it so that you would be happy about Quinn’s memories.”

“Thank you.” He said softly. The rest of the ride was silent, but I made sure to watch Shane and I’m glad I did. At one point his eyes went wide before a small smile took his lips. I felt the hair on the back of my neck rise and knew he had still come up with something.