Page 37

Troy cocked his head, then sighed. “Alright, then, what will you tell me?”

Dean frowned. “We were fighting before. That’s why I was in such a bad mood.”

“Right, I already figured that out on my own.”

“And last night, we kind of got over it?”

“Kind of.”

“We agreed we wanted to be friends again and deal with the fight when we weren’t acting like idiots.”

Troy laughed. “One of these days, I want a friendship like you two have.”

“Dysfunctional and stupid?” Dean asked.

“You’re both idiots, but you’re idiots who get along perfectly. You know how many friends I’ve had who let our friendship go over one fight? You two had a fight and were miserable shits for over a week, and then you meet up and just want to move on.”

Dean raised a brow. “Shouldn’t you be telling me that it’s not healthy to ignore what caused the fight?”

Troy shook his head. “Why? Not every argument has to be something you need to talk about. Sometimes, talking about every little problem is what causes more problems. If you two need to talk about it, then do it. Otherwise, who gives a shit? Better to be back to being friends and deal with it when you’re calm and have thought about it.”

Dean grunted. “I guess that was our thinking.”

“Plus, if it stops you from constantly being a snarky asshole, I’ll take it.”

Dean glared at him. “Thanks.”

Troy winked. “I much prefer you happy and not so miserable you look like you hate everything, Dean. You and Sloane are probably the best duo I’ve ever seen, and he actually seems happy around you.”

Dean snorted softly, staring down at his cooling food. “Don’t know if that’s the case anymore.”

“Is this where you don’t tell me what’s caused this new problem?”

Dean shrugged, refusing to look up. “I...went too far with something. Definitely pushed over the line, and now we’re both just...well, I wouldn’t blame him for hating me.”

Troy hummed, his finger tapping on the desktop. “Just enough detail to make me curious about the rest.”

Dean sighed. “Troy.”

“I won’t, don’t worry. Look, I won’t even try to guess what you’re talking about because that’s asking for trouble. What I will say, though, is that you need to stop overthinking it.”

“And if I have good reason for it?” Dean asked.

“You always think you do, but that doesn’t make you right. Just...look, the man’s your best friend, and he’s not going to hate you. Unless you, like, hurt his family or something, then yeah, but otherwise? It’s obvious to anyone who’s been around you two that there’s something special there.”

Dean looked up sharply. “Something special?”

Troy chuckled. “I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t wondered if there was more going on with you two than you let on.”

Dean’s eyes widened. “What?”

“Stop, it’s just a thought. Don’t get me wrong, you two would be a cute couple, and sometimes I still wonder, but you guys are what you are. Ultimately, that’s all that matters, and you shouldn’t worry too much. Sloane’s a stubborn jerk, and you’re just as hardheaded. You guys aren’t going to fall apart that easily.”

“You really thought something was going on with us?” Dean asked.

Troy screwed up his face in thought. “Weird, but not on your end. On his, though? Yeah, I have.”

“You thought the straight guy had something going for me?” Dean asked incredulously.