He’s barely slept at all, and I know: we live together.
I thought he would be better once I moved him into my apartment, but his eyes still have dark circles under them.
And I get it.
He’s been through massive, terrible change.
The couch isn’t the best place for him to sleep. He needs his own room.
Enzo is Luca’s uncle, so of course I want to protect him.
Noah whispers something to Finn.
“So you two are living together now?” Finn asks.
“Yes,” I say.
“I knew it!” Noah squeals happily.
“What did you know?” Finn asks.
“They’re together.”
“People have roommates, babe,” Finn says.
“They’re rich. And they hate each other. Had to be chemistry.”
Enzo jerks his head away from me, and his skin flushes.
I sling an arm around Enzo. His shoulder is warm and damp through his shirt, and he goes rigid under my touch, but he doesn’t pull away. “Enzo and I are family.”
Finn blinks.
Noah blinks.
“I’m a dad,” I explain. “To Enzo’s nephew.”
Finn and Noah continue blinking with all the force of two athletes when talking about something besides hockey or nutrition or exercise.
“So you’re brothers?” Luke asks.
Finn elbows Noah. “You got this so wrong, babe.”
Noah’s freckles disappear into a full-body blush. “Oh, God. I’m sorry.”
Finn turns to Enzo. “I bet you have a sister.”
Enzo stiffens.
“Enzo’s sister was in a car crash last month,” I explain, flicking a worried glance at Enzo.
“I’m so sorry. That’s terrible!” Finn exclaims. He turns to his husband. “I can’t believe you thought they were together.”
Noah’s skin reddens. “I thought they might be! There was tension.” He shakes his head. “I’m sorry.”
“Not everyone is gay or bisexual,” Finn says.
Noah apologizes again, but I’m barely listening. Enzo looks small and pale beside me, and I have the sudden, bizarre urge to pull him onto my lap.
