Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 71915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
“I…we…” And I certainly was acting the part of the kid, sputtering away and not wanting to confess anything. “Remy and I have become friends.”
“It didn’t look like only friends,” he countered, and now I wondered just how much he’d seen—how close we’d been standing and Remy’s hand cupping my face.
Danica stepped back as if she didn’t want to impose, and Bailey was so incensed that he didn’t appear to notice.
I made a frustrated noise. “Not that it’s any of your business, but we’re both single queer guys, so…”
“I knew it!” He threw up his hands. “I had a feeling there might be something going on between you two. The covert texting. Remy being in our room that night. I’m not stupid.”
“No one said you were. Jesus Christ, calm down.”
Danica moved farther away, wariness in her eyes, and I wanted to point out to him that maybe he should cool it in front of her, but he’d only bite my head off. It was as if he was on autopilot and couldn’t see straight—or reason.
Bailey turned on Remy, his finger slashing the air. “I thought you didn’t like to keep secrets.”
I winced. It was quite a dig. I’d give him that.
Remy shrugged as if it didn’t bother him, but I could see the tic in his jaw. “Alex didn’t want to upset you. Neither of us did.”
My shoulders slumped, my gut churning. “This is exactly why I didn’t want to tell you. I knew you’d react like this.”
“How did you expect me to react to my best friend and brother hooking up?” Bailey narrowed his eyes. “You clearly didn’t care very much if you kept sneaking around anyway.”
“Of course, I care.” I stepped forward, my stomach bottoming out. “Bailey, I…”
“What’s so fucking bad about me and Alex hanging out?” Remy rubbed his face in obvious annoyance. “We’re just two guys having fun, and soon enough, it’ll run its course.”
Ouch. I wouldn’t pretend that didn’t smart, even knowing it was true.
“Grow the fuck up, Bailey.” Remy balled a fist, his knuckles turning white. “I’m not gonna stick around while you make us feel guilty about shit that shouldn’t matter.”
Remy motioned for me to follow him, but something kept me rooted to the sand.
I shook my head. “You go and cool off. I need to stay.”
“Fuck,” Remy growled, storming away, and I almost went after him, but I also wanted to make Bailey understand.
“I’m going to leave too,” Danica said, and Bailey startled as if he’d forgotten she was there. “Call if you need anything.”
“Danica, wait,” Bailey said as she turned toward the pathway. “I’ll walk you—”
“I’m perfectly capable of walking myself.” She gave him a pointed look. “I think it’s more important you talk this out with Alex.”
“Damn it.” Bailey pushed his hands through his hair as he paced back and forth in the sand. No doubt he was worried he’d ruined things with her.
My throat felt tight, not knowing how to explain or even if I should try. Would it only make things worse?
“I’m sorry if I disappointed you,” I finally settled on.
“Yeah, you did. Just like him.” His lip curled. “Remy ruins everything.”
“That’s not fair,” I replied through clenched teeth. “Your parents’ divorce affected him too, but in a different way. It left him cynical about relationships. He doesn’t ever see himself having one, and that’s sad.”
“Well, then maybe he should’ve left well enough alone.”
I gaped at him. “Is that really what you believe? If the tables were turned, you wouldn’t want to know if you were being cheated on?”
“Nope.” He squared his shoulders. “I’d rather remain oblivious until I either find out myself or they finally confess.”
“Do you even hear yourself?” If he really believed that, he wouldn’t be this angry about Remy and me. “Your logic is skewed when it comes to—”
“It makes sense to me. It would be awkward all around if we stayed together and worked it out.” He pointed toward the walkway. “Just like it was after Remy told Mom.”
“It would’ve been awkward regardless because Remy was carrying a secret, which sounds like a pretty heavy burden.”
“That’s better than ruining the entire family.”
I was thunderstruck. It was as if he were a different person when talking about this subject. “I don’t…okay, fine. Whatever. I can’t anymore.” I turned to leave, frustration roiling in my gut.
“What about you?” he called after me. “Same question.”
“I’d want to know. Rip off the Band-Aid, no matter how much it hurts.”
“Guess we’re pretty different then.” He didn’t look me in the eye, only stared at the sand. Guess we are. And logically, I knew that, but it still took my breath away that we could be so far apart on this.
I felt sad and sick to my stomach. “I’m sorry if you think I betrayed you or—”
“That’s exactly what it feels like.” He lifted his head, his gaze fiery.