“I know. I should have told you sooner I have feelings.”
“I wouldn’t have believed you,” he says.
“Honestly? I think I’m trying to figure out what your angle is.”
Fair enough. Nervous, I ask, “Any chance you have any feelings for me in there somewhere?”
“Well, yeah.”
“Really?” I ask, hope striking like a match in my chest.
“I’m not completely indifferent to you, you know?”
“Good. That’s a start.”
“But I like Deacon, too.”
“Same. Like I said—go for it. Whatever makes you happy.”
“For how long? Like what’s the trial period on seeing two men? What’s the deciding factor?”
“I’m fucking freezing,” I say in a moment of pure frustration.
“Maybe don’t wear shorts in February.”
I send him a pleading look. “Can we go to my car?”
He gestures at his enormous dog.
“He’ll fit,” I say.
“Fine,” Evan says quietly before whistling to get Apollo’s attention. We walk down the hill toward where I’m parked. “I hope you’re thinking about your answer to my question.”
Apollo gets into the back of my Lexus, and I open the door for Evan. Jogging to the driver’s side, I get in, turn on the car, and crank up the heat on my side after showing him where the temperature controls are.
To answer his question, I state for the record, “I know you like a schedule and order, but for once, can you consider just going with the flow?”
He gives me a flat stare. “Just because you’re okay with the person you’re seeing hooking up with someone else, doesn’t mean they’re gonna make those same allowances for you.”
“Are you some sort of monogamy absolutist? Like right out of the gate?”
“No.” He sounds slightly offended. “But I guess I’m wondering what the endgame is.”
“I’d like to think I’m perfectly capable of being involved with two men indefinitely.”
“You know, if anyone could do it… We’re not all built like you, though, Isaac.”
“Well, I’m not trying to force myself on you. I’m just saying that whatever’s happening with Deacon hasn’t changed the way I feel about you.”
He studies me a moment. “I understand what you mean.”
“You do?”
He nods.
“Did something happen?” I ask. “Between you and Deacon?”
“I…actually, yeah.”
