Page 14 of Men of Fort Dale: The Complete Series

“I gathered as much.”

“I already know,” Marco said softly.

“You and Sloane?”

Marco chuckled. “I kind of...wondered after the first few times you talked about him.”

Dean shook his head. “But nothing was going on.”

“Maybe not on his end, but I thought there might be something on yours. Just the way you spoke about him, there was something in your eyes that said maybe, just maybe, there was more than friendship going on there.”

Dean’s fingers unclenched, going limp in his lap. “But...you never said anything? It didn’t bother you?”

Marco rubbed the back of his head. “We all go into relationships and dating with baggage attached, Dean. That’s something you learn to accept when seeing someone new.

By the time I suspected it, I’d already gotten to know you a bit.

And sure, part of it was that I really do like you, so I was willing to look past it.

Thing is, I also figured out you were the sort of person that if you were trying to date someone, you were probably okay to date. ”

Dean looked down at his hands, shaking his head. “I guess you were wrong on that one, huh?”

“I wouldn’t say I was wrong. After all, the time I’ve spent with you has been wonderful, and it’s a shame I couldn’t have had more. But I can’t fault you for being in love with him.”

Dean looked up, snorting. “Really? After the way he behaved with you?”

Marco raised a brow. “Yeah, about that. That was my other clue that something else was going on. I mean, I get the overprotective best friend thing, and even being grumpy that you were keeping it from him, but he was a bit...much. Sure, he’s ‘straight’ and all, but that most certainly did make me question it. ”

“I don’t even know what he is or...if this is anything worth trying to figure out,” Dean admitted.

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.