After the End (27 page)

Authors: Alex Kidwell

BOOK: After the End

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I could feel him shrug. “Well, you’re a part of me now too. I guess I thought it fit.”

Turning in his arms, I studied his face. I lifted gloved fingers to brush lightly across his cheek. “Did I ever tell you how glad I am I met you at that bar?”

Brady smiled, and suddenly it seemed like the moon itself wasn’t all that bright. Not in comparison. “Me too.”

Aaron would have loved this night. He would have loved the snow and the stars, the sense of standing still in a place where history moved all around us. He would have loved me, happy. I hoped he would, anyway.

It wouldn’t ever stop hurting. That was part of living, I thought. That was part of loving someone so deeply. They burrowed into your bones, and you couldn’t ever really get them out. You didn’t ever really
want
to. But I was bigger than one moment, than one loss. I could love the past and have a future. I could love Aaron every bit as deeply and still find new parts of me to give to Brady.

We had a lifetime, however long that was, however scary and unsure and wonderful. That was all anyone had. Only a lifetime. It was all we could do to fill it, to live every moment, to learn how to love better. Brady was showing me that.

And I really wanted to be there.

About the Author

A
LEX
K
IDWELL
, confirmed geek and bibliophile, lives in the Midwest with partner Robin Saxon. Alex relaxes by slaying dragons in MMOs, listening to music that can be sung along with in the shower, and enjoying BBC programming.

Other than writing, Alex enjoys knitting and is currently attempting to learn how to knit in the round. There are plans for a future of cat hats, which Alex is certain will go over well with household-running felines, Starsky and Hutch. Alex also indulges in too many cooking shows, while owning only one pan.

Visit Alex’s blog at http://saxonkidwell.blogspot.com/, Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002270719608, and Twitter @kiddingalex, or e-mail Alex at alexkidwellwrites@ gmail.com.

From
A
LEX
K
IDWELL
&
R
OBIN
S
AXON