Free Angel's Redemption by Andi Anderson Page B

slumber. He blinked, rubbed his eyes, and glanced around him. He briefly wondered why he was still lying on the couch, until memories of talking and holding Eli throughout most of the night filled his sleep-deprived mind.
    It was hard to believe all of the terrible things Eli had to overcome in his past. Jackson still wanted to hunt down that child molesting asshole, Ken, and beat the ever-loving shit out of him.
    Jackson couldn't imagine the hell that Eli went through. Between his sorry excuse for a mother and being used and abused by Ken, it was a wonder Eli turned out to be the sweet and caring man he was today. Eli was afraid that his past would somehow make him push him away, but instead it did the opposite. Jackson found himself admiring the strength and perseverance it took for his friend to walk away with hope of having a better life.
    Eli's suicide attempt still scared him. Although he knew that Eli was still in a better place, Jackson prayed that he would never do something like that again. The world was a much better place with Eli in it. Just envisioning his beautiful friend, so desolate and alone without any hope for a better life, brought tears to his eyes. Jackson hastily wiped at them. He and Eli had cried enough the previous night to last a lifetime. He was determined to make today a better day… one that was filled with good memories instead of saddened ones. Both of them deserved it.
    Jackson stood up and stretched his arms over his head, hearing joints creaking from being cooped up on the couch for most of the night. He yawned and walked toward the kitchen and the heavenly smell that came from it. Jackson stopped in his tracks when he saw Eli standing in front of the stove, and Shep sitting quietly at his feet. Eli hummed to himself while he flipped the bacon with a fork.
    He watched from the doorway and enjoyed the serene moment. Jackson couldn't remember the last time he had woken up to the smell of bacon on a relaxing Saturday morning. The sudden memory of Ben pouring them both some cereal while they discussed their plans for the day gave him a slight pang in his stomach. Jackson tried pushed the guilty feelings of enjoying another man's company out of his mind. Ben wouldn't want him to wallow in the past. His generous nature and zest for life was one of the reasons why Jackson had fallen in love with him. Ben would want Jackson to get on with his life, not be the unsociable, lonely man he had become.
    As Jackson stood the in the doorway and watched him bustle around fixing breakfast, he silently wondered if Ben would like Eli. If Ben were alive and had gotten to know Eli, he would have liked the younger man and taken him under his wing. Ben would have shrugged off his past and welcomed Eli into their circle of friends. Yes, Ben would have been very fond of Eli, and the knowledge that his lover was probably looking down from Heaven with a smile of approval on his face made the sharp pang of guilt in his stomach go away.
    Jackson must have made a small noise because Shep turned around and barked a happy greeting, causing both he and Eli to jump. Shep pounced over to him as Eli gave Jackson a shy smile.
    "Good morning, Jack."
    "Morning," he said, returning Eli's smile. He bent down and gave Shep a good scratch behind his ears.
    Eli's face flushed slightly, and he gave a shrug. "You were sleeping so peacefully, I didn't want to disturb you. But I wanted to cook you some breakfast as a thank you for listening to me last night."
    Jackson shook his head and walked over to the nervous man. He stopped a few feet from him and opened his arms, hoping to reassure Eli that everything was okay.
    Eli stood there for a few moments before stepping closer. A relieved look passed over his face as he walked into Jackson's accepting embrace. The shorter man's head tucked perfectly between Jackson's neck and shoulder. He could feel the slight trembling of Eli's body, and he pulled him even tighter to him, wanting to comfort