“I’m not saying you have to tell them yet, Coop. We’re still new. I can wait a little while. I just…I missed them too, when I left. I’m actually surprised Autumn hasn’t spoken to me yet. She was always like that. She used to invite me to dinner almost every night, even without you having to ask.” Noah smiled at the memory.

“Yeah…yeah, I know they want to see you too. We’ll plan something, soon.”

Noah hit the light on the bedside table, his eyes suddenly fighting to stay open. He didn’t care that he was a mess from their lovemaking. Noah squeezed Coop, let himself start to drift off, with the one man with whom, he ever truly felt like he belonged.

***

The second the car came to a stop in their driveway, Cooper opened the door.

“Where are you off to in such a hurry?” Aunt Autumn asked. The smile on her face said she already knew.

“I’m gonna go over and talk to Noah. I want to tell him about the game.” Cooper had spent three days with his aunt and her family. Uncle Vernon didn’t go this time and he didn’t know why. But Autumn’s brother had brought him to his first NFL game. It had been the coolest thing Cooper had ever done and he couldn’t wait to tell Noah about it. He knew his best friend would think it was just as cool as Cooper did.

“Don’t be too long. I’m sure your uncle wants to hear all about the game, too.” She ruffled Coop’s hair.

“Thanks, Autumn.” Cooper bound out of the car, slamming the door behind him. He ran to Noah’s house. It was technically next door, but his aunt and uncle had a little bit of property, so he had to jog about a block down the road.

The little, white house was dark when he pulled to a stop, out front, out of breath. Noah’s parents’ car was gone, but Noah had told him he’d be here when Cooper got home. He knew his best friend would have done everything to stay home and his parents weren’t really the type to make him go somewhere with them if he didn’t want—which he usually didn’t.

“Noah!” He called as he fist came down on the front door. When he did, it pushed open slightly, not having been closed all the way. “Noah, it’s me. Get you butt out here!” He yelled again, not wanting to just go into the house.

When no one came to the door, Coop decided to peek inside. This was Noah’s house. It’s not like they would care.

With a hand on the door, he pushed. “Noah—” His words died off when he saw the living room almost empty. The couches were still there but the TV was gone, and the pictures off the wall. Cooper’s heart started going wild, even louder than all the fans had been at the game.

“Noah?” He ran inside. Went to the kitchen first. The cabinets were all open, with nothing in them. Cooper ran for the hall, his feet tangling and making him run into a wall.

“Where you at?” He went straight for Noah’s room.

And there was nothing inside.

Nothing.

Noah was gone.

He was a baby. Such a freaking baby, because his eyes got blurry with tears. They ran down his face, more following quickly behind them. All he could think was, Noah was gone. His best friend had left him just like his parents had. Noah was the only person who really got him. The only one who he talked to about his Mom and Dad. The guy who knew he had nightmares but never told, and never made him feel like a wuss because of it.

And then, that ache in his chest spread because he knew he’d let him down. Just like his parents, Cooper had let him down. He’d left for the weekend and Noah’s parents had made him leave, when he knew Noah would never want to go. He’d promised if it ever came down to that, he would beg Autumn and Vernon to let him live with them or they’d run away. He hadn’t been here and because of it, Noah had to go away. He hated that he’d gone to that game and hated that he’d let Noah down.

And now, Noah was gone. What was he supposed to do without his best friend?

Cooper didn’t even bother to wipe his tears away. Didn’t bother to try and stop more from flowing, as he turned and walked out of Noah’s room. Down the hallway again and back to the front door. When he stepped onto the front porch, Vernon was standing there, smoking a cigarette.

“Your aunt told me you came over. I’d hoped you’d come home first so I could tell you.”

“What happened, Uncle Vernon? Where did they go?”

The man shrugged. “His mama and dad decided they wanted to leave, so they did.”

Cooper crossed his arms, still crying. “It’s not fair,” he whispered. He’d already lost Mom and Dad. Why did he have to lose Noah too?