Page 50 of Best Wrong Thing

I shrug.

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. You’re following your dreams.”

Rex sips his coffee. “But at what expense?”

“We’re solid if that’s what you’re worried about. We’ll always be friends. I like that we can pick our friendship back up whenever you’re around.”

“Whenever I breeze through town, you mean?”

“Yeah.”

“Anything I can do?” Rex asks.

“Move the conversation onto happier things?”

“Consider it done. Tell me everything that’s happened while I’ve been gone.” Rex threads a sugar sachet through his fingers.

I blow out a breath. Do I tell him about Archer?

“Come on. Don’t keep me waiting. I want all the gossip.”

“You haven’t told me any of your news.”

He waves his hand. “I can show you a bunch of photos of the places I’ve been to recently if you want?”

“I’d like that. But what have you been up to?”

He chuckles. “Aside from taking photos?”

“Yes. Is there a guy?”

He waggles his brows. “There’s always a guy. Except in the countries where that kind of thing will get me arrested.”

I gape at him.

“Relax. I’m careful.” He taps his fingertips against the mug, creating a series of soft chimes. “Something is going on with you.”

I tug at my collar. “What makes you say that?”

“You’re more uptight than usual.”

I narrow my eyes. We can’t all be as carefree as Rex. Or Archer. It’s something they have in common. Something I envy about them.

“My guess there’s a guy,” Rex says.

Heat rises to my cheeks.

“Tell me everything.”

I squirm. “I can’t.”

“Why?”

I can’t tell him I’m screwing my stepbrother. I can’t.

“A secret guy.” Rex hums.