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Marco shook his head. “Trying to figure out what he is or isn’t will just hurt both your heads. I don’t think there’s an easy definition there.”

“Definitions help.”

“Definitions make some things easier, but trying to force those definitions can make things harder than they need to be. Do you see what I mean?”

Dean frowned. “Not...really.”

Marco took his hand. “You’ll figure it out. Just don’t go focusing too much on labeling things.”

“Those labels help if I need to figure out what to do.”

Marco blinked. “Figure out what to do? Don’t you already have that part figured out?”

Dean laughed. “Do I strike you as someone who knows what the hell they’re doing?”

“Didn’t you get me to come here to end things with me so you can go full force into a relationship with Sloane?”

“No, I got you to come here to end things with you because it wasn’t fair for me to keep seeing you while I have all this figuring out to do. Sloane and I have barely spoken about...that. We have a little, and I know he’s thinking about things, but we haven’t been able to talk about what’s going on between us.”

“So, you’re avoiding it.”

“No!”

“Right, so you’re avoiding it, which won’t help either of you. Look, just talk to him, okay?”

Dean stared at him in wonder. “Why are you being so nice about this?”

Marco laughed. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, I just...I’m basically ditching you to go figure out things with my straight best friend.”

“First of all, as much as I said not to put a label on things, it might be time not to think of him as totally straight, or at least not where you’re concerned. Secondly, why would I be mad? On a practical level, we were never committed, so it’s not like you’ve cheated on me and left me for another man. On an emotional level, you have to follow your heart. If that’s not with me, it’s better to end it now, like you were trying to do. At the end of the day, you have to do what’s right for you, Dean, and if trying to figure out things with Sloane is the way you have to go about it, then do that.”

Dean snorted softly. “Doesn’t feel fair to you.”

“What’s less fair, being with me when your heart wants someone else? Or letting me down as gently as you can before things get serious? Dean, you’re a good guy. The fact that you did this proves that. You obviously have a wonderful thing with Sloane, and it looks like there’s a chance for something even more. So, why don’t you go and take the damn risk?”

“Quit hemming and hawing, eh?” Dean asked.

“Shit or get off the pot is what I’m saying here.”

Dean reached out, squeezing Marco’s shoulder. “You’re right. And I’m sorry it ended up this way, Marco. I hope you find someone who doesn’t have all these hang-ups and can give you what you deserve.”

Marco snorted, patting Dean’s hand. “Quit worrying about me. I’ve got plenty of time for that. Worry about yourself.”

Dean didn’t know how he was going to, but he supposed it was about time he made a go of it. He and Sloane had been dancing around the entire problem since Dean had spilled his guts. It was time they dealt with the problem head-on. Even if the thought made his stomach flutter hard enough, he feared it might float off.

“And hey, call me and let me know how it goes?” Marco asked.

Dean smiled, bending down to kiss Marco’s cheek. “I will, thank you, Marco.”

The rest was up to him.

SLOANE

In retrospect, Sloane supposed he might have chosen a better way to greet Dean when he came through the door to his apartment. The problem was that Sloane had been left to his own devices for a couple of days, with minimal conversation from Dean. Guilt and nerves had eaten their way through Sloane’s thoughts until all he could think about was what they had said, hadn’t said, and what they’d done. By the time he went to Dean’s apartment to wait for him so they could find a way to end the madness, Sloane was a living bundle of nerves and impulses.

So when Dean came through the door, Sloane had literally all but jumped the man. Dean, understandably, had not been expecting Sloane and lashed out with a yelp. Pain shot up Sloane’s jaw and he stumbled back, holding his face with a muttered curse.