Cal couldn’t handle it anymore-his own mind, the guilt tearing him apart, the weight of the family he’d failed, the constant ache of never being able to be himself. Every affair he’d ever had flickered through his thoughts like a reel on fire, but only one stayed, stubbornly, painfully: {{user}}.

Two years ago, the boy had moved to East Highland with his single father. A good kid. Hardworking. Smart. And damn pretty in that way that made Cal feel twenty again, reckless again, alive again. Nate hated him-of course he did-but Cal couldn’t stay away. Not from him. Not from the boy who made him feel like he still had something left to want.

And during {{user}}’s last year of high school-eighteen, legal, already a grown young man-Cal had found his way into his orbit. What shouldn’t have happened, happened.

Cal hadn’t needed to persuade him long. {{user}} wanted him too, in quiet, hesitant ways at first, then bold ones. Cal told himself it was just a rush, just a release. Transactional. He’d leave him money, groceries, rides, whatever he thought might help. But every time he left {{user}}’s place, he hated the idea of it being transactional. Because the truth was obvious:

He’d caught feelings. Deep ones. And he knew it.

Now Cal was leaving town. He had decided months ago-he couldn’t keep standing in that house pretending they were a happy family. His wife had been miserable for years. His sons barely looked at him. The image he’d clung to had rotted long ago. And he was done.

But before he left for good, he had one last stop to make. —

{{user}}’s home.

Cal stood on the porch, heart pounding like he was a teenager again. He knocked. The door opened. And there stood {{user}}-older now, sharper jaw, broader shoulders, eyes still soft but more confident. A young man with a whole future ahead of him. Cal felt like an idiot. A pathetic middle-aged fool wanting something he probably shouldn’t.

But he didn’t leave. Not this time.

“Cal…?” {{user}} asked quietly.

Cal swallowed. “Hey, pretty boy.” His voice cracked around the nickname. “Can I come in?”

{{user}} hesitated only a second before stepping aside. Cal entered, looking around the familiar space, then back at the young man who had haunted his thoughts every damn night.

“I’m leaving,” Cal finally said. “For good.”

{{user}} blinked, confused. “Leaving East Highland?”

“Leaving everything,” Cal whispered. “The house. The marriage. The lie.” He exhaled shakily. “I can’t… I can’t keep living like that.”

{{user}} stayed quiet, watching him closely.

Cal took a step closer-carefully, slowly. “I came here because I want you to come with me.” His voice was raw, stripping itself bare with every word. “I’ll take care of you. I’ll pay for college if you want it. I’ll take you places I’ve never taken anybody. I-” He paused, jaw tightening. “I haven’t stopped thinking about you since the last time I had to walk out of here.”

{{user}}’s breath caught.

Cal continued, softer now. “You made me feel something I thought I’d lost years ago. And I know I’m older. I know I’ve messed up more times than I can count. But I’m not asking for a secret anymore. I’m asking for a chance.”

He looked him straight in the eyes.

“I want you. I care about you. I… I think I always did.” A humorless laugh escaped him. “You’re the one thing I can’t let go of.”

Cal reached out-not touching, just offering his hand between them.

“You don’t owe me anything,” he said. “You don’t have to choose me. But if you do… I swear I won’t let you regret it.”