Page 25 of Scrap Metal & Love Reforged

“His name is Seth.”

I sucked in a quick breath. “Okay, it’s Troy.”

Troylikedme. A warm, fluttering feeling spread through my chest. I smiled and traced my thumb over my own name. This was…a pleasant surprise. A wonderful surprise, actually.

“Seth.” There was something cautioning in Brandon’s tone.

When I looked at him, his eyes narrowed.

“What?” I asked.

“Please, don’t do something stupid.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Like what?”

“Like…pretend you can read his mind or something, so you can mess with the guy. That would be mean.”

“I wasn’t going to do anything mean.”

I just… maybe wouldn't tell Troy I knew. Not yet. What was the harm in that? If we liked each other, would it really do any harm if I told him now or a few months from now? It wasn’t as if he’d have to know. And although I felt a knot of guilt twist in my belly, it wassotempting to just ignore it.

It wasn’t like Troy would have any way ofknowingthat I’d found out about who he was. OrwhenI found out. And he wassomore open about himself online!

“But I know you,” Brandon said slowly, “And that look in your face says you’re going to do something you shouldn’t.”

I toyed with my phone. “I know what you’re going to say,” I said slowly, “So spare me.”

“If you know what I’m going to say, you should also know I’m right. And that look indicates you think you’re right and not going to take my advice.”

I sighed. “All I was thinking was that maybe I don’t tell him I know it’s him. Just for a little. Today, tomorrow; in the scope of things, it really doesn’t matter that much.”

Brandon frowned and tilted his head, like he was trying to figure something out. He suspected there was more going on than I was saying. That much was clear. But maybe he didn’t know exactlywhatI wasn’t saying. My pulse quickened. I couldn’t tell him everything. And I knew exactly what Brandon would say. He firmly believed that honesty was the best policy.

“It’s a bad idea,” Brandon said at last, “And I think Troy has a right to know thatyouare aware of this other side of him. You know that, too.”

“I do,” I admitted.

But could Ireallydo it? I knew enough about Troy to realize he’d probably react badly to the revelation. And then I’d lose both the online friend I had for monthsandthe new friend I’d just met. Moral or not, for now it was best.

Chapter Ten

Troy

“Not to say I told you so, but…”

Leave it to Godofdiscordto enjoy my predicament a little too much. I shoved my phone into my pocket and rocked back on my heels. I stood outside a junk shop downtown. This place was an eyesore—hated by nearby shop owners—but it had some of the best finds I’d ever seen. Really unique finds. Where others saw junk and trash, I saw a veritable treasure trove.

Seth might not show, but I was pretty sure he would. And no matter how much I told myself otherwise, IknewI wanted him to. Deep down, I wanted to see him. And Godofdiscord and Skyehadbeen right. I enjoyed going out and being more social. I’d had fun at the movie premiere. Even if the film wasn’t my taste—pure “so bad it’s good”—it was something to see Seth work a crowd so easily.

He waved and crossed the street to me. His hands were tucked into the front pockets of his jeans. Those jeans probably costmore than my off-the-rack store brand. I wondered if they felt better. I’d never had much money, and I had even less after I went off on my own.

“How are you?” Seth asked. “This place is interesting.”

His hazel eyes darted over the side of the building. Outside sat three mismatched concrete gargoyles, a rusted iron fence, and a scatter of metal soda signs. They looked like junk, but I knew the right one could fetch a pretty penny. I didn’t see any good ones right away, though. Condition was everything—and these were rusted through, pitted with holes. They might work for junk assemblage if I decided I needed one, but they definitely wouldn’t bring me a chunk of change.

“Yeah, I like this place. It’s got some cool stuff.”

I tried not to sound too nervous. Was this adate? It sort of felt like one, but I couldn’t really be sure. And besides, I still wasn’t out. So, Seth and I couldn’treallybe dating.