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Oscar smiled. “Yeah. And if he loves you, he’ll come around eventually. I think he just wants what’s best for you, and he’s stuck on what he thinks is best instead of what works for you. Give him time.”

“I guess. Now, I have to sit around being miserable because I can’t talk to my parents. I missed them, Oscar.”

Oscar kissed him, running a finger gently along Troy’s jawline. “How about I make you that steak dish you like so damn much?”

Troy’s eyes widened. “That recipe you refuse to tell me?”

“That’s the one.”

Troy squinted. “Am I being bribed right now?”

“That depends, is it working?”

“It might be.”

“Then yes.”

Troy laughed, turning to face Oscar and burying his face in his chest. “Then I’ll let myself be bribed, but...stay with me here for a bit first?”

“Of course,” Oscar said gently, holding Troy against his body.

Steady. Comforting. Everything Troy needed and wanted at that moment.

Troy smiled to himself.Okay, maybe there were more than just a few good memories.

“Troy?”

Oscar’s voice snapped his head up, and he blinked owlishly to find him. Oscar stood a few feet away, frowning. Just seeinghim was enough to send Troy’s heart racing again, and he remembered the press of his mouth against his, the grip of his fingers.

Shit, he wanted more.

Troy hopped up. “Uh, hi.”

Oscar looked around. “What are you doing out here?”

Suddenly self-conscious, Troy squirmed as he tried to think of something that wouldn’t make him sound like a total creep. Instead, he just went with the truth.

“Waiting for you.”

Oscar’s frown turned guarded. “Why?”

Troy returned the expression, stepping closer to him. “What the hell do you mean? Why else would I be here?”

Oscar shook his head. “I’m not doing this, Troy, not here.”

“Then, where? Are you going to take me to your place? Come over to mine and talk to me? Or are you going to keep avoiding me?” Troy asked.

Oscar averted his gaze. “I’m not avoiding you.”

Well, that couldn’t have been a more blatant lie if he’d tried.

Troy reached out, taking hold of Oscar’s arm. “Please, don’t do this to me.”

“Do what?” Oscar asked, stopping his attempt to walk away but not turning to face Troy.

Troy glanced around, all too aware that anything he said might send Oscar running if there was even the slightest chance someone could overhear them. He hated the feeling Oscar’s fear left him with, trapping him in a particular way of behaving except in private. Damn it, he just wanted to talk to Oscar, not tiptoe around every little thing he said.

Troy dropped his voice to a low whisper. “You kissed me.”