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So guess what everyone . . . my graduation is on Friday! AHHHH! I am so relieved to finally have my associates degree and to begin working on my bachelors. I have to admit though. I'm glad I took this term off (I finished the last of my required classes in Winter term). I feel like my head would have exploded otherwise. A break was definitely needed. 

Anyway, never say that I don't care about you all. It is almost 2 AM where I am and I worked a ten-hour shift today at work. I am exhausted but I am keeping myself awake just long enough to post this next chapter for you guys. Also chapter fourteen was the last chapter that I wrote. Funnily enough I wrote both fifteen and the epilogue before fourteen due to writer's block. I feel like it came out okay though so hopefully you all enjoy it. 

There's only one chapter left to go before the epilogue. I honestly cannot believe it. Now I have already began writing my next stories. I can't say for sure when they will be uploaded (I like to generally be halfway through my stories before I begin to post them). I am working hard to write them so I am hoping soon. 

And finally, the pic above is of Adam!

~*~*~

Chapter Fourteen

"Happy birthday!"

The surprised look on Chase's face morphed into one of joy at the sight of his boyfriend. He obviously hadn't expected to find Liam on the other side of his front door. Then again it was eleven am on a Wednesday so technically they both should be in school, however Chase's dads always let him skip school on his birthday and as long as he didn't fall too behind Liam's mother didn't care if he skipped every once in a while.

"What are you doing here?" Chase asked greeting his boyfriend with a kiss.

Liam held up the gift bag that held his gift with a small smile. "I figured I could remain bored out of my mind at school or come over to see my boyfriend and spend his eighteenth birthday with him."

With a raised eyebrow, Chase asked, "What did you have in mind?"

Liam thought about it. "How about I buy you lunch and then we can go and get you some birthday ice cream?"

Chase nodded and gave a soft chuckle. "That sounds perfect."

~*~*~

"It doesn't make sense," Liam argued playfully.

"Sure, it does," Chase fired back.

Shaking his head, Liam took another bite of his frozen yogurt before continuing, "No it really doesn't. It may not be ice cream, but it's still frozen yogurt. So, explain why putting nuts and granola – healthy stuff – on something that is unhealthy?"

"At least I don't eat multiple layers of sugar," he shot back looking at Liam's cup. "You have M&Ms, gummy worms, Oreo pieces, Nerd candies, whipped cream, and chocolate syrup all on top of yours. Just think that's only your toppings. Don't even get me started on your flavors. Peanut butter and cake batter. Really?"

Liam laughed at his boyfriend's words. "Better then boring vanilla. How about we agree to disagree?"

"Deal." Chase joined in with Liam's laughter.

The conversation faded slightly as they continued to their walk. It was a warm, spring day so the two decided that after lunch and buying their frozen yogurt from one of the nearby shops that they wanted to take a walk through the park. The park in their small town was beautiful. It was almost like a small forest with trees surrounding it. The Rickreall creak separated the two halves of the park with only a large wooden bridge connecting them.

Together they walked over to one of the memorial benches and sat down. "I have so many memories in this park," Liam admitted. He pointed at one of the small trails to the left, "That's where my dad and Leslie taught me how to ride my bike." With a sheepish smile, Liam pointed out the bridge to Chase. "I was always terrified of that bridge as a kid. It will actually wobble very easily and I was always so scared that it would collapse underneath me."

"What did your parents do to get you across?" Chase wondered.

"Bribery mostly." He laughed remembering their promises to buy him candy or an ice cream. "It usually did the trick too. Then as I got older I learned of my new fears."

"What are you scared of now?" Chase quickly added, "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. I was just curious."

Shaking his head, Liam said, "No, it's fine." He thought about it. "I'm scared of a few things actually. Snakes, heights," he hesitated, "heartbreak."

Chase's eyes searched his. They seemed to be looking for something, but Liam wasn't sure what. "What happened between you and Brody?" Liam looked up at his question. "I mean a little bit and I know that Adam is somehow involved, but you've never told me the entire story."

Liam realized he was right. He wanted to tell him, but in a way, he kept pushing away the opportunities. Now another opportunity has arisen only this time he won't be postponing it again.

"I was fifteen and it was my second day of freshman year when I met him. We were table partners in math. I was in a senior math class and that's probably the only reason we met in the first place. After leaving class I remember being so excited. Liz warned me to be careful around him," Liam remembered.

"You didn't listen?" His boyfriend guessed.

"I didn't listen," he replied with a regretful sigh. "Maybe if I had things would have been easier. Anyway, the following week Brody asked me out on a date. Liz's words stuck in my head though. I told him no." Chase's eyebrows lifted in surprise. "Brody was . . . persistent. He kept trying and he eventually wore me down. I said yes and we went on a date.

We dated just under three months, and in all that time, Liz didn't know a thing. Looking back now I can't believe who I became when I was with him. I lied to my family and friends, I hid secrets, and worst of all Brody didn't even seem to care about the emotional turmoil I was putting myself through." Closing his eyes tight, Liam struggled to get the next part out. He opened his mouth only close it once again. Sensing his struggle, Chase placed his hand on top of Liam's. Opening his eyes, he looked at his boyfriend and smiled. You can do this, he told himself. "We were at a party the first time I saw Adam. He was talking with Brody and Brody lied to me about who he was. Deep down I knew he was lying too, but I was too chicken to speak up about it. The entire time we dated, Brody pressured me for sex. I kept insisting I wasn't ready and he would agree to wait only to bring it up again a week later. That night I was going through a hard time. Things were really bad between my parents and my insecurities about Brody were beginning to set in. I-I just wanted to forget about everything for a little while."

"You guys had sex." It was more of a statement then a question.

Liam nodded to Chase. "The next day I went to Brody's house and found him in bed with Adam. Turns out they had been dating for five months already. I remembering feeling like the rug had been pulled out from under me. I just wanted to crawl under a rock and never resurface."

Without a word, Chase wrapped his arms around his boyfriend and pulled him close. Liam smiled into the hug and let his head rest again his shoulder. Shaking his head, he pulled away ashamed. "I'm so sorry," he apologized. "It's your birthday and here I am talking about my ex-boyfriend."

"Hey, hey. Don't do that," Chase told him. "I'm the one who asked. I wouldn't have asked if I didn't want to know." He studied his face. "Do you regret it?"

Liam thought about it. Did he regret it? Throughout his life, Liam has always tried to live his life to the fullest. He wanted to grow up without any regrets in his life, but did he regret his past with Brody? No. . . . He didn't.

"Strangely enough I don't," Liam answered. "I wish things could have been handled differently, but I don't regret my choices and that includes my choice to date him. The pain I went through may have sucked and made me scared for a while," he met Chase's eyes, "but it just makes me appreciate the boyfriend I have now just that much more."

"Don't take this the wrong way," Liam waited, "but I think you need to talk to Brody." Liam's mouth dropped open in shock.

"What?" He demanded.

"Liam, you never got closure with your relationship, did you?"

He shook his head.

"Well, I think you need that," he said. "It's not a bad thing. I just think you will regret it if you don't get some of those questions answered."

"What questions?" Sometimes he forgot how well Chase knew him.

"Why did he pick me?" He gave as an example. "I'd be asking myself that a lot if I were in your shoes."

As much as Liam didn't want to admit it, he knew that he was right. He and Chase would never have a true future if he didn't let go of his past one hundred percent. It just so happens that the only way to do that is to talk to the boy who once broke his heart.

Liam nodded understand where he was coming from. "I'll give him a call."

A large, toothy grin formed on Chase's face. His eyes were bright and there was a specific look on his face that could only be described as love. Liam may have recognized the expression on his boyfriend's face, but he was not expecting the next words out of his mouth. "I love you."

His hazel eyes widened in shock. Of all the times to say those words, he hadn't expected it to be now. Before Liam could say anything though, Chase spoke up, "I don't expect you to say it now. That's not why I said it. I love you, Liam and I wanted you to know how I feel. I don't want you to say it now," Chase gave his shoulder a shrug, "just whenever you're ready."

Unable to think of any words to say, Liam grasped his boyfriend's face in his hands and pulled it close to his. The kiss was full of emotion.

Liam may not have been ready to say the words yet, but in that moment, it didn't matter. It was obvious by the emotion they gave, the words that didn't need to be said, and the touches that were passed. He wasn't ready to say the words now, but he hoped that the courage to do so would come soon enough. After all, he couldn't wait to tell Chase that he was in love with him too. 

~*~*~

Originally I had this chapter planned out differently, but since I was suffering through writer's block I began to think about different ways the chapter could go and I realize Chase was never told about Liam's past experiences with Brody. This chapter came out a lot faster after that. I hope you all enjoyed it. Now wish me luck for Friday and I will try to upload the last chapter within a few days and the epilogue probably won't be far behind. 

I'm going to bed now! Love you all and please remember to vote and comment. I love hearing from you guys :)

~Kaylee

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