"Sometimes, hope holds us by the throat." We were teenagers the first time Alden Stokes climbed through my bedroom window. He was the first boy to hold my hand. He was my first kiss. He was my first everything. The tumultuous years made us into adults while circumstances pushed us apart. Now I've found my way back to the only man I've ever loved. And I won't let him go.

"Strip everything away from us and love is what’s left. It’s what we get to keep." We thought things couldn't get worse but the passing days proved us wrong. I could handle the public backlash and the cops at my door. I could handle the doubt and disbelief of our friends. As long as we were together, I thought I could handle anything. As the threats loomed closer, our days together dwindled away. After losing everything that mattered to me, I had to ask myself how much sacrifice was too much? How far would I go for him?