A Thin Line Between Love & Hate (Love Conquers All series) ORIGINAL VERSION

Chapter 22: "Friends After All"

"Hm. This should be fun." Brandon stood at the bottom of the embankment and looked up to the top. "Ready to climb?" He smiled at Josh.

Doubt etched Josh's face. "Yeah...I-I guess."

Brandon laughed. "Come on." He nodded to his right. "There's actually an easier way up." He led him over to where the bank was grassier and halfway up, a small tree grew out of the bank wall. "The dirt's thicker over here. Easier to get your footing. The roots of the grass and that tree keep it more compact, I think."

"Why didn't we just come down this way?" Josh asked logically.

"Because it's faster and funner to slide down." He raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Don't you think?"

Josh pursed his lips, then nodded. "Yeah. It was kind of fun."

The funnest part for Brandon was Josh holding onto him, but he kept that to himself. "This way is still a little tricky, but definitely easier than trying to climb up through all the loose dirt. Let me get up here a few feet then I'll help you, okay?"

"Okay."

Getting his footing with his first step, Brandon grabbed onto the thick, dry grass and used it as leverage to pull himself up. Once he was sure the ground was going to hold beneath his foot, he took another large step, then another, then reached down to Josh. "Okay. Give me your hand. Work your foot into the dirt until it clumps solid before putting your weight on it."

Josh nodded and grasped his hand without hesitation. Brandon smiled. You're making progress.

When Josh made it up next to Brandon, they moved on—Brandon first, then Josh—until they reached the small tree. Brandon grinned. "Almost there. Now, that wasn't so hard was it-" The ground suddenly gave way beneath his feet and he began to slide. Because he was still gripping Josh's hand—he took him with him. The boy yelped as they both lost their footing and tumbled down the bank in a single heap. Brandon grunted as his back hit the course dirt at the bottom and Josh landed on top of him. He coughed then laughed. "Oh God."

Josh's brow dropped against Brandon's shoulder as he laughed shakily, his breath quick...and so warm on Brandon's neck. Shivers raced through Brandon as Josh shifted on top of him and raised his head.

"Sorry about that..." Brandon's words died away as their eyes met and held, their laughter fading off and smiles wavering as they just stared at one another. Brandon's heart beat wildly beneath Josh's palm which was flattened against his chest. He could feel the tremors quivering through Josh's body and for the briefest—sweetest, most exciting—moment, he thought Josh was going to kiss him.

Oh God, please—I won't ever ask for anything ever again in my life! It was a silly prayer—of course he would ask God for other things during the course of his life—but at this precise moment in time, all he wanted in this life was to be kissed by Josh Waylon.

The boy blinked and broke eye contact, then hurriedly crawled off him.

Brandon sighed and looked up at the clear blue sky. Patience is a virtue and good things come to those who wait. I know, I know. He turned his head and smiled at Josh who sat in the dirt, legs drawn up, his anxious eyes darting everywhere but at Brandon...a light flush in his cheeks. You're so adorably cute when you blush, Brandon thought with a giddy flutter to his pulse. He sat up and rested his arms on his knees and looked up the bank. "So..." he smiled. "Ready to give it another shot?"

Josh dragged his lower lip between his teeth and nodded. He still wouldn't look directly at Brandon, though a hint of a smile tugged his lips.

Laughing lightly, Brandon stood and nudged Josh's shoulder. "On your feet, soldier. Let's do this."