Page 107 of A Real Good Lie

“I’m not sure. But you need to decide what matters to you more—being stubborn or being loved.”

“Being stubborn has kept me alive this long.”

“You don’t need to let everyone in, Jace. Just some of us.”

Jace exhaled loudly. “I need to go.”

“Not surprising.”

“Will you be home later?” he asked.

“No.”

“Oh.” He straightened up and stood, holding the phone between his face and his shoulder so he could finish hanging up the suit pieces he’d discarded.

“I’ll see you Friday, though. I’ll be there with bells on.”

“Thank you, Remington,” he said.

“Anything for you. Always.”

The phone beeped in his ear and he returned it to his pocket. His face was red where the shattered screen had cut into his skin, and he frowned at himself, joining Callahan in the store.

“Everything okay?” Callahan asked, his expression tight, but his eyes sparkling with hope.

“Yes,” he said. “Yeah.”

He went to Callahan and took his hand, spinning him to the side so they faced each other. Their chests bumped into each other and Jace bent down, sucking the surprised gasp out of Callahan’s mouth with a kiss.

Callahan tensed, but immediately relaxed, melting against Jace in the way he always did. The way Jace hoped he always would.

“I’m sorry,” Jace whispered against Callahan’s mouth when he finally pulled back for a breath. “This isn’t anything I’m used to. You’re nothing I’m used to.”

“I’m not used to you either.” Callahan kissed his chin.

“I’m going to ruin this.”

“I won’t let you.”

Jace made a disagreeable noise in his throat and stepped back with a frown. “I don’t think it’s up to you. This isn’t so easy, Callahan.”

Jace walked toward a display case full of colored silks, bow ties and pocket squares on display, spanning from light to dark with all the colors of the rainbow in between.

“It should be.” Callahan fingered a navy blue tie that would have matched the suit Jace had said no to. “If it’s right, it’s supposed to be easy, isn’t it?”

Jace laughed. “I don’t think so.”

“Do you like this one?” Callahan raised the tie, dangling the fabric from his fingers.

“Do you?”

Callahan slipped the tie around Jace’s neck, quickly knotting it at his throat. “It’s nice.”

“It matches your eyes,” Jace said before he could stop himself.

Callahan answered with a small smile, then loosened the knot. “Then you should definitely let me get you this one. So you can think of me always.”

“Don’t I already?” Jace turned away, reaching into his pocket and making a fist around his shattered phone.