His Steady Heart

Ashley “Buck” Buchanan moved back home to take care of his sick mother when he was 22. That was the first time he met Pippin, the neglected 6-year-old boy next door. Fifteen years later, Buck, a caretaker by nature, offers up his couch for Pippin, who needs a break from his mom and a quiet place to sleep.<br><br>Pippin Olander is a ray of sunshine despite his emotionally lacking upbringing and works hard to make a better life for himself. Even though he’s fiercely self-sufficient, he learns to accept help from Buck, his rock and the only steady presence in his life.<br><br>Their friendship deepens and grows into something more as they spend time together. But when other people try to throw a wrench in the works, when Pippin’s independence is triggered, can Buck and Pippin trust in the love they’ve found?

Nell Iris · LGBT+

Not enough ratings

30 Chs

Chapter 13

Pippin looks nothing like her; he must take after his dad.

“Oh, I’m sorry. Did I wake you?” Her hand flies to her throat and she flutters her eyelashes. I want to laugh at her and tell her she’s barking up the wrong tree, but she already knows about my preferences. Maybe she can’t turn it off.

“Crystal?” I can’t seem to form a coherent thought. During all the years I’ve lived in Ma’s house, she’s visited once, ages ago.

“Aren’t you gonna let me in?” More eyelash-fluttering.

“Uh, sure.” I step to the side and open the door so she can enter.

She saunters into my house, hips swinging from side to side with one hand on her waist as though she wants to accentuate her curves. “Are you fixing up the place?” she asks, standing in the middle of the living room—that’s now empty, except for the couch covered in a tarp—looking at the stripped walls.

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