Bitter Bonds by Lex Valentine

it’s across the country.” The tears he kept resolutely hidden from the world threatened as his eyes filled. He tipped his head down so his hair flopped over his eyes, hiding his pain from his friends. “I feel like I have a real home for the first time in my life. I feel like I have someone who genuinely cares about me and now he’s going to send me away. How the hell do you think that makes me feel? He’s going to be just like everyone else except that this time when I have to go, I’ll leave behind my heart.”
With a sniffle, Finn lifted his gaze to his friends. “I don’t think I’ll ever love anyone the way I love Jake.”
His words came out in a hoarse rasp caused by the aching lump in his throat. He didn’t want to think about Jake and what he knew loomed in his future. He didn’t want to think about leaving the first real friends he’d ever had. He’d managed to keep the pain inside him under control ever since Jake had first mentioned that he should think about returning to Juilliard. He’d just found happiness. He didn’t want to think about losing it already. A hard arm gave him a one-armed hug. Haven gripped him tightly. “Whatever you need from us, we’ll do. Micah and I will help.”
“Nothing will help. You can’t change Jake’s mind. Only Jake can.” He smiled weakly at his friends. “But I appreciate you both wanting to try. You’re the best friends I’ve ever had.”
“Friends forever,” Micah vowed putting his arm around Finn from the other side. “If Jake tries to put you on a plane to New York, you can come stay with me and Nick. Go to school here with me. They have a decent music program. It’s no Juilliard, but you can certainly get your degree.”
A germ of an idea began to form in Finn’s head. “Can you bring me some information about enrolling?” he asked Micah.
“You got it.” The other sub nodded firmly.
“Even if this doesn’t last with Jake, I have to be able to make a living. I can’t end up on the street again. I need a plan.” Finn’s mind whirled with ideas.
“We’ll help,” Haven repeated. “You won’t end up on the street. You have us now. And as long as you work toward your goals and keep to your plan, anything is possible. I think you’re wrong about Jake, but even if you’re right, you won’t end up in dire straits like you did before.”
Finn knew that he’d hit a turning point in his life. Juilliard was not for him. He needed to go to school because he had to support himself, but he wouldn’t leave Colorado. He belonged here with his friends even if Jake broke things off with him. For the first time in his life he would do what he wanted, what made him happy. He’d use his music for himself instead of letting others use it for their own benefit. He’d play piano bars and honky tonks, wherever he could get a gig, to pay for school. And afterward, maybe he’d teach. The thought of helping children with talent appealed to him.
“All I need is a plan…”
His friends grinned at him and Finn smiled back. Even if he lost Jake, he would be able to go on because he had a plan. With another sigh, he leaned back in his chair. He had survived a brutal five years with Arlen Reynolds. He could survive anything, even a broken heart.
“You know what we need?”
He and Haven turned their gazes to Micah who had an evil grin on his angelic face.
“A night of dirty dancing,” he pronounced with an emphatic nod of his blond head. “Jake will shit his pants when he sees how many Doms want you. I’ll have Nick set it up. We’ll go out and dance and show you off, Finn. If that doesn’t push Jake over the edge then…I’ll think of something else that will!”
The determined light in Micah’s eyes lifted Finn’s spirits. His friends’ support warmed and comforted him. He’d never been much of a dancer, but he knew it would be impossible to tell Micah “no” when he set his mind to something.
Finn found his curiosity getting the better of him