Pretty Boy (Perfect Boys #1)

by K.M. Neuhold

“A hot summer night when I was real little, barefoot in my front yard, catching lightnin’ bugs and puttin’ ‘em in a jar. I always let ‘em go after, but I loved having a jar full of stars for just a few minutes.”

Nobody’s ever kept me, and I may not be the brightest, but I know enough to know that this man ain’t gonna be the one to change that streak.

I know he won’t keep me, but I think it’s okay if I pretend for a little while that he might. It won’t hurt nothing but my own heart, and I learned a long time ago that my heart can take a lot.

When I don’t move right away, he stands up and strides over to me, scooping me up without warning and startling an embarrassing squeak from me. Before I can ask what he’s doing, he settles back into his chair, this time with me right on his lap. He picks up the book he was reading, flips to the first page, and starts to read out loud.

Screaming and swooning rn

“You don’t see yourself clearly, Pretty Boy.” I tilt his face up and press a soft kiss to his lips. “But that’s okay; I’ll keep doing it for the both of us until you’re able to do it for yourself.”

You’re strong and feisty and independent. I don’t want to take care of you because you can’t do it yourself. I want to take care of you because you deserve it.”

I wonder if I’m real good if he’ll keep me forever. A boy can dream, right?

The tears can be a baptism that will wash away all of the ugly thoughts that were put into his head by ugly people.

He learned that sometimes you’re given hard things in life so you can prove how strong you are and to make sure only the right kind of people will love you.