Page 69 of Puck My Stepbrother

“I’ve been doing a lot of thinking, you know, about you and me. After what you told me, I know what the right next move is.”

He paused and sipped his milk, but didn’t respond.

“We need to be together,” I said, “you and me. And it’s not just about sex, not just us wanting each other. Weneedeach other. That’s why we should be a real couple.”

“I already told you what I think about that, Levi.”

I wouldn’t let the plaintive notes in his voice deter me.

“Yeah, and this time I’m not taking no for an answer.”

When he sipped his milk, I noticed his hands trembling slightly.

“I’m being serious,” I said. “I know what you told me. And I totally agree with some of it. If we’re going to be together, I’ve got to be open with everyone about who I really am.”

“Levi, that’s not all I?—”

“No, no, I get it. In a way, I’ve always wanted to be open, to not have to hide. The problem was I didn’t totally understand who I am. I didn’t realize that a label applies to me.”

“What label would that be?”

“Bisexual, I guess. Like I said, I didn’t think of it that way before, but I totally get it now.”

“You’re saying you came to grips with it after all this time?”

“Uh-huh.”

“What made you realize it?”

“You, Quinn.”

He stood there in silence for a few moments. Quinn could be a tough cookie. He’d been that way from the very start, but I understood that persistence would pay off.

“How did I make you realize it?” he asked. “Because you realized how much you love fucking my ass?”

“No, Quinn, of course not. Fucking your ass has just been an awesome bonus.”

He snorted.

Then I finally said what was on my heart.

“I realized it because I love you, Quinn.”

He fumbled his glass enough to make milk slosh over the rim and splatter onto his shirt. He rubbed the stain with the bottom of his fist.

“Careful now.” I laughed when I said it, but he didn’t seem to see the humor.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “What did you just say?”

“I said I love you. Didn’t you hear me the first time?”

He nodded, but still looked confused.

“I love you, Quinn.”

“You don’t really mean that.”

“Of course I do.”