Page 26 of Nothing To Lose

"If it's none of my business…"

"Like that's stopped you before?"

"Oh, hush. It's all in good fun. But I'm worried about that boy."

"He'll be okay. He's uncomfortable with people seeing him like that,” I say, vaguely gesturing to my face. "And I suppose being mugged would make anyone jumpy for a while."

"Mugged?"

"He didn't tell you what happened?"

"I didn't ask. Figured he'd say something if he wanted me to know."

"Oh, so youdoknow how to mind your business?" I say, loudly enough so Tyler can hear me as he makes his way back to the table.

"Bah!" Anders brushes me off, tells Tyler about the goat cheese, and takes our orders.

The silence is awkward and tense. We both open our mouths to speak at the same time.

"Tyler, I'm sorry if–"

"Can I ask you a question without you getting offended?"

"Pretty sure, yeah."

He stares at the table and takes a deep breath before meeting my eye. "I should know better than to assume, and that stereotypes are harmful, but… well… you realize I'm gay, right?"

I snort a laugh. "Uh, yeah."

Tyler purses his lips. "And you are…"

"Also gay…" I answer slowly. "Did you think I wasn't?"

He shrugs, and I gape at him in surprise.I'm not sure how he hasn't caught on to any of my attempts at flirting with him. I mean, I've been trying to catch his eye since the first day we ran into each other. I just thought he wasn't interested. Did all of that really just go over his head?

"I've been trying to flirt with you for weeks," I tell him.

"You have not!"

"Uh, yeah, I have. Why do you think Mac and Anders and Brenna are so invested?"

"You let them think you're interested in me?" he squeaks..

My eyebrow quirks, and I give him a very pointed look. "Yes, Tyler. Because they could tell that I was.Am.But there's no pressure. If you're not interested, it’s okay."

"Youare interested inme?"

"Why is that so hard to believe?" I don’t want to jump to conclusions, because Tyler doesn't seem to be the type to throw class in my face or make light of the obvious fact that I'm not good enough for someone like him.It’s more likely that he’s having his own issues with self-confidence, which I am very ready to squash.

"Because I'mme," he says, gesturing to himself. "And you're…." he blows out a breath, and I see it. It's something that I've thought I've caught here and there, but thought it was wishful thinking because he completely ignored all my attempts at testing the waters...

Attraction.

Maybe.

Hopefully?

I lean forward, hoping I don't go overboard. I’ve always been a very forward person. Much like my fighting persona, I’m all in, because what is there to lose? After what he's been through, I know he's self-conscious. And since everything else has gone over his head, he might need me to be blunt, but also gentle. Calm. Slow.