Page 157

“It’s complicated, or you don’t want to tell me the truth?”

Oscar clenched his jaw. “Okay, maybe I ended it for a reason.”

“Well, your ability to state the obvious is still intact, I see. Okay, if you’re not going to tell me the reason, maybe you can tell me if it was a good one or not?”

Now, there lay the million-dollar question. “I...don’t know.”

Gabriel made another soft noise. “So, let me see if I understand what little information you’ve given me. You and this girl were a thing once upon a time, and you...had feelings for her, maybe even loved her. Then you ended the relationship for reasons you’ve kept to yourself, and you don’t sound so sure it was for the right reasons. Now you’ve run into them again, and based on the struggle you’re going through, the flame has reignited.”

“I...maybe?”

“Right, you’re struggling because seeing them again after a messy breakup is just that awkward.”

Oscar scowled. “Are therapists supposed to be sarcastic?”

“Good thing I’m being your brother and not a therapist, huh? Were you in love?”

“What me and…” Oscar began, clamping his lips over the sound of Troy’s name.

“Yes, you and this flame of yours,” Gabriel said in amusement.

Oscar frowned, thinking back to their relationship, and nodded.

The storm hit hardand fast, bending the tops of the trees as the wind howled, splattering the sliding glass door to Troy’s apartment with rain. Oscar was perfectly happy to remain locked indoors, where he could stay dry and warm. Troy, however, had other ideas.

Troy pressed his face against the glass. “Wow, it looks so awesome out there.”

“Yes, very awesome,” Oscar said with a smirk.

Troy stuck his tongue out at him. “You know, like creating awe. Awesome.”

“Sorry, but I didn’t get no fancy edumacation,” Oscar said with a thick accent.

“Only because you skipped school, you jackass.”

Oscar frowned as he watched Troy’s hand go to the door handle. “What are you doing?”

Troy opened the door, letting in a gale of wind and a torrent of water. “I’m going out in the storm.”

Oscar stood up. “You’re nuts. It’s practically a hurricane out there.”

Troy winked at him. “I know, right?”

Lightning split the sky as Troy stepped out, and a huge crack of thunder tore through the sound of the wind and rain. Troy walked from the edge of the concrete slab that made up his porch and down onto the grass. Oscar followed him to the door, wincing as his face was splattered with the rain blowing so hard it felt like little pinpricks.

“Troy! C’mon, this isn’t a good idea!” Oscar bellowed over the wind.

Whether Troy heard him or not, he didn’t look back. To Oscar’s annoyance, he stepped into the middle of the grass and held his arms out as though about to take flight. The wind whipped through his rain-soaked clothes. His face was turned toward the sky as though basking in the rays of the warm sun. His expression was peaceful, with the corners of his mouth turned up to show a happiness Oscar couldn’t understand. The lightning flashed again, so close it cast Troy in a brilliant light that momentarily washed out his hair and skin. When the crack of thunder came, close enough for Oscar to feel as well as hear, Troy’s eyes finally opened.

And his face broke into the most beautiful smile of reverence and happiness.

Oscar’s complaints died in his throat as he stood watching Troy. Witnessing the man, who had somehow slipped beneathall Oscar’s barriers and traps, stand before the might of a storm as though he belonged there.

Oscar felt his heart swell.

“Yeah, yeah, we were,”Oscar whispered.

“And are you now?”