Page 53 of Scrap Metal & Love Reforged

“Yeah,” I said weakly. “You messed it up. I didn’t expect you to say that.”

Seth sighed. “Well, I’ve been thinking it over. I’ve needed to say it for a while, but I just couldn’t figure out how to do it. I… I didn’t realize exactly how much I rely on money to fix my problems, and for what it’s worth, I… I know I messed up. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make it right. I like you a lot, and I know that you at leastused tolike me.”

“I still do. I was going to apologize for overreacting,” I admitted, wishing I had let him open his mouth first. “I understand why you did what you did.”

Seth shook his head. “You didn’t doanything. I would’ve reacted the same way. I promise you that. There’s nothing to forgive.”

“Well,” I said, “At any rate, I’d like to give us another try, if you’d be willing to go for that. Of course, that means you have to be honest.Wehave to be honest from now on, and we have to talk through any issues.”

Janet returned to the desk. Seth’s eyes flitted briefly to her. I wondered if he was thinking about what to say, how much he could say without arousing suspicion. Warmth spread through my chest. He could be really thoughtful when he wanted to be. For someone who was so utterly confident in who and what he was, Seth was very compassionate when it came to things like not quite being out to everyone yet.

“I’d like that,” Seth said. “I’m willing to do that if you are.”

“Thanks. It’s a deal.”

Seth grinned crookedly. “So, do you want to… be roommates again? Or have you found another place?”

“If byanother placeyou mean my sister’s apartment, yeah, that’s it.”

“It sounds luxurious,” Seth said, although his inflection held a tinge of sarcasm.

“You really want to be there?”

I laughed. “I think she’d be glad to see me move my crap out of her place.”

Seth smiled and nodded. His knee brushed mine, and electricity rushed up my leg. He was so near, so present. And there was a sense of correctness in how close he was to me. “How long's your bike going to take?” I asked.

“A few hours.”

“So why don’t we get out of here? We can discuss rent.”

Seth nodded and climbed to his feet. His face was alight and warm with enthusiasm. I grinned back as I stood and followed him out. The door shut behind us. “So,” Seth said, “you’ll let me make it up to you?”

“I think so,” I replied.

Grinning, Seth leaned against my bike. The midday sun cast light over his face, making his eyes golden. “I’ll work hard to make sure you don’t regret that decision,” he replied.

“You’ll have to grovel to my sister some, too. I really talked you down to her.”

Seeing no one around, I stepped closer until only a hairsbreadth separated us. Tentatively, I raised a hand and traced a finger along the inside of Seth’s wrist.

“I’m prepared to do that,” Seth replied. “I can be very charming when I want to be, you know.”

“Oh, do I know.”

He grinned wolfishly. “And I like a challenge.”

“Good,” I said. “I’ll remember that when I decide you’re ready to meet my parents.”

Because when hedidmeet my parents, I'd be revealing I was gay. Standing there in the parking lot, just Seth and me, I realized there was no one else I'd rather have beside me when I finally did.

Chapter Twenty-One

Troy

“You didn’t tell me your parents were creepy garden gnome people,” Seth said as he pulled into my parents' driveway.

“Is that a dealbreaker?” I asked. “You’re going to end an eight-month relationship over my parents’ taste in lawn décor? I thought you were into creepy.”