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The asshole laughs. He actually laughs.

“Oh, the irony. I’d take you up on that offer, but I’m in a relationship and Skye would be none too happy. Well, at least I was until that night. We broke up.”

“You’re not making any sense, kid.”

“I was dating someone for a few years. I got dumped. That’s why I was over at her place that night. I was upset and needed to talk. Skye is my best friend, and I needed her.”

“Couldn’t be that upset if the first thing you do is go fuck yourbest friend.”

“You’re not getting it, are you?”

“Oh, I get it, all right. Skye sent you over here to try to persuade me to take her back. It’s not going to happen. I could have forgiven her anything, except this.”

“I didn’t fuck Skye. Not that night, not ever. In fact, I’ve never fucked a girl. A couple of boys, yes, but no girls. Ever.”

“What?”

The painkillers must be playing games with my ears. Did I hear him right? No girl? Ever?

“I’m gay, stupid! That’s what I’ve been trying to say. I’m gay, queer, I play for the other team. I’m a fag, get it?”

Something akin to hope dares flash in my chest, but I shut it down. I can’t trust it. I can’t believe it.

“You’re just saying that to try to convince me to forgive her.”

“Jesus! What do I have to do to prove it to you? Bend over your hospital bed and have someone fuck me in the ass?”

“That might do it,” I sneer at him.

“Well, I can’t because my boyfriend got tired of waiting on me and gave me an ultimatum. Either come out of the closet or break up. I couldn’t come clean. Not yet. It’s... complicated.”

His voice trembles, and he breaks eye contact for the first time. There’s a flash of pain and despair in his eyes, but it's gone a moment later.

“If that is true, why wouldn’t Skye tell me so herself?”

“Because she made a promise she’d never tell a soul, and she’s loyal to a fault. Not even River knows I’m gay.”

His eyes drop to the floor, and he closes them for a long moment. When he looks back at me, the sheen of unshed tears shines in them.

“I’m a coward, and because of it, I lost the man I love and Skye lost hers. It might be too late for me. Sidney won’t wait for me. He made it clear, but it's not too late for you and Skye. What you two have is special. Everybody can see it. Don’t make the same mistake I did.”

“I didn’t make a mistake. I didn’t cheat. If she cares so much, where is she now? Why didn’t she come to see me?”

“She did. Skye has been here every day since she first heard about you. She spent hours in the waiting room. She almost missed her finals to be near you. River had to drag her to class to take the tests and back home to shower and eat, and then she’s right back here again. You were in the ICU until now, and your father said family only and prohibited them from letting her near you. He threatened to sue the hospital if anyone talked to her.”

My fucking father.It sounds like something he’d do, all right. I’m still not ready to give in.

“I don’t remember being related to you, and here we are.”

“It’s a lot harder to get into the ICU. But here, they’re a lot more relaxed. My name is not on the blackout list. Pat’s sister helped me, and technically, I’m visiting the napping little old lady next door.”

Anger and hope war in my chest. I can feel my heart picking up speed. Bruno glances at the monitor next to my bed.

“And she couldn’t get Skye in? Why should I believe anything you say? If she wanted to see me so badly, she’d be here and not send you to make up stories about being gay.”

“How many times do I have to say this? Skye has been here every day, but after meeting your fiancée, the one you forgot to tell her about, she kept out of sight. It seems you failed to mention that to Skye. Imagine her surprise when she met the future Mrs. Logan Cole.”

“What the fuck are you talking about?”