Page 51 of Can't Stop Now

“Relationship with Carrie?” Jacob smiled slightly, looking down at the ground and shaking his head. “There is no relationship with Carrie. I told her pretty quick last night that it wasn’t gonna work out between me and her, Will,” Jacob said, looking back into Will’s eyes.

“Oh. You did?” Will said, stunned.

“Yeah. And… not just because I’m not putting enough effort in with her, not just because I’m too busy. I’m done making those excuses. I told her I couldn’t be with her because… I wanted somebody else,” Jacob said, biting his bottom lip nervously.

Will couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He felt like the world was turning upside down. He felt behind him for a large rock that he could sit on, and sat down as Jacob kept talking.

“I’m tired of running. I’m tired of being scared. Since I met you, there hasn’t been a day where you weren’t the most important thing, theonlything, on my mind. I can’t get you out of my head, Will. I’ve realized I don’t care who knows who I’m with. Iwantthem to know, goddamn it. I’d be proud to tell anyone you’re with me. And if you’d still let me, after I’ve been so fucking awful to you, and so confused… I’d love if you let me give it another try. You and me, for real, this time.”

Will blinked, looking over the city, and then looking back up at Jacob.

“I understand if you say no. I’ve been horrible to you, and you don’t deserve it. But… I’m not gonna give up the best thing that’s ever happened to me without a fight,” Jacob said, sitting down on the rock next to Will.

Will was stunned. He looked at Jacob, his mouth open slightly, completely unable to think of words to say. He saw Jacob reaching his hand into his pocket.

“It’s okay, Will. I knew it was probably too late, and you deserve better than me anyway. But I at least wanted to give you this,” Jacob said, holding out a tiny key to Will. “It’s the key to my favorite lock. It’s a tiny lock, so it’s really hard to pick. But I want you to have the key… so you at least havesomethinggood from this whole crazy trip.”

Jacob dropped the small golden key into Will’s left hand. Will turned it over in his fingers, admiring it, and then wrapped his fingers around it, holding it tight inside his wrist.

“I’m sorry, Will. For everything. I’ll leave you alone this time, for real,” Jacob said, swallowing and standing up, starting to walk away.

Before Jacob could get away, Will gripped his hand around Jacob’s wrist, pulling him back towards him.

“If you think I’m gonna let you walk away, you are crazier than I thought,” Will said, putting his key into his pocket and standing up. Jacob turned back, and his eyes met Will’s. He felt his lower lip tremble slightly, and just a second later, Jacob’s lips were on his, and Will felt his heart leap inside him. Jacob’s warm lips melted into his and their tongues met again. He tasted a single salty tear, not knowing if it had come from his own tear or Jacob’s. He wrapped himself around Jacob, tighter than ever, afraid that if he let go Jacob would vanish and he’d wake up from what must be a dream.

But when he pulled away, Jacob was still there, and Will saw all of the tension gone from Jacob’s eyes.

“Are you sure, Jacob? I don’t want you just to say all this because it’s what you think I want to hear,” Will said. He couldn’t stop a wild smile from spreading across his face.

“For once in my life, I am. There’s nothing I’ve ever been so sure of,” Jacob said.

Will wanted to be mad for what Jacob had said before. He knew he should be cold and logical. But somewhere inside he knew that Jacob was the right choice. The only choice. He wrapped his arms around Jacob, bringing him in for a close hug, and held on tight.

“I’m sure too, Jacob,” Will whispered in his ear.

Twenty-Nine

Jacob

Jacob laced his fingers into Will’s, and they walked down the mountain holding hands. Jacob felt like he was in another world than the one he had been before. All of his worry, his anxiety and uncertainty had changed into pure joy when he had realized Will didn’t hate him, and was willing to give him another chance. He was sure he had almost lost the best thing that had ever happened to him, purely due to his own fear and stupidity.

He brought Will’s hand up, his own hand still wrapped against it, and pressed a kiss into the back of his hand as they walked down the street toward Will’s house. Will’s eyes shone back, and his smile couldn’t be erased. Jacob was so glad to see him smile, to know that he felt the same way.

They were alone at Will’s house for at least a few more hours, before his parents came home from work. They cuddled on Will’s bed, Jacob exploring Will’s body in a whole new light.

“God, being away from you foronefucking night was unbearable,” Jacob said, in between kisses.

Will sighed. “I’m glad I’m not the only one who thought so. I was convinced you were happy at your hotel, glad I was finally gone,” Will said, shaking his head. The thought seemed to sadden him a little, so Jacob placed his hands on Will’s shoulders.

“Will. Listen to me. I’m not going anywhere. What do I have to do to prove it to you? Here, let me do something,” Jacob said. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and opened up Facebook.

“What are you doing?” Will said, with a curious smile.

Jacob opened the photo of Will kissing him, and selected it as his profile photo.

“There. I don’t care who sees, Iwanteveryone to see. See that you’re with me,” Jacob said, putting the phone away.

Will shook his head, smiling, his eyes wide. “You didn’t have to do that. But you are incredibly sweet,” he said, kissing Jacob again.