At times, it led to awkward conversations, but when Riley couldn’t explain something, it tended to torment Josh until they could figure it out together. Riley couldn’t figure this one out, so until he had answers from Garrett he’d keep him safe by holding that information close.
And that meant one thing.
“I can keep a secret from Josh, but it depends what it is. I suck at lying to him unless I know it’s for his benefit.”
Sophie stared at him. He could see the wheels turning in her head, trying to figure out if she could trust him with whatever secret she was holding onto.
“It’s about Tobias, and it doesn’t affect Josh’s life at all,” she said diplomatically, like she was choosing her words carefully. “He has a secret, and he’s desperate to keep it a secret, but I don’t think he can. I’m trying to figure out a way to keep the press from finding out about it, but I’m also trying to convince him how it would be easier to be open about it. How being open about it might even help his situation.”
His Tasmanian Devil sister had never spoken soseriously in her life, and it was scaring him.
Holy shit. This was his sister in PR mode. He’d never seen it in person before.
“Okaaaay,” he started, treading carefully. “Is he in danger?”
“No, it has nothing to do with his safety, but it could affect the safety of his… Fuck, I’m still working on how to word this shit.”
“I know Tobias is private, and even though I consider him a friend, I know so little about him. Does this have to do with why he stopped playing hockey?”
Sophie’s nostrils flared as she considered the question.
“Yes, it does.”
“Shit, I don’t know if I could keep this from Josh,” Riley said, squirming in his seat. “But I don’t get why you need to keep it from him. I feel like he could handle Tobias’ emotions more than anyone. He’s the one who got him to say yes to the alumni game in the first place.”
Sophie played with the old bay fries in front of her as she considered it. The area around her plate was covered in balled-up napkins and a few errant fries. She was incapable of being neat.
“I guess you’re right about that. I guess I figured the fewer people who know the better. While you can keep things from Josh to protect him, Josh is incapable of keeping a secret.”
“That is not true,” Riley said. “If he knows it’s a secret and he knows it would hurt the person if he shared it, then he can keep any secret. You just need to make sure he knows thatbeforeyou tell him. With a couple reminders too.”
Riley sometimes forgot about that, which was why Josh had quickly blabbed to Cole and Elena about their night together in the Poconos, and why he’d texted the entire gym group chat that they’d made out. But he’d never told Hailey or Abby about Cole’s bisexuality because heknewCole wanted to keep it a secret.
“Okay, I’m gonna talk to Tobias. I think his life would be easier if he was upfront about it. Maybe he could even do some good, but he loves that he’s fallen out of the public eye. I know how hard it was for him to agree to the alumni game.”
She shook that weight off her shoulders and gave him a mischievous smile. “Now, dear brother, is it time for us to talk about the hickey on your neck?”
His hand flew to his neck, but it wasn’t like he could feel a hickey. He took out his phone and put it on selfie mode, allowing him to see the red mark right above his collar bone.
Why did I have to wear a V-neck shirt today of all days?
“Shit, I didn’t know that was there,” he said while trying to adjust his shirt with no luck.
“Soooo, who is she? Tell me!”
Riley paled as he realized there was noshe. Was he ready to come out to his sister?
She’d teased him in the past about his friendship with Josh and how they were closer than most friends, and she was supportive of different sexualities. But it was different when it was your own family, wasn’t it?
“Um, so, what if I told you…” he started, fiddling with the napkin on his table, the one he’d barely even needed because he knew how to eat, unlike his messy sister. He cleared his throat so he was able to continue. “What if I told you it wasn’t a she?”
He finally raised his gaze from his napkin to see a smile growing on his sister’s face.
“Please, please, please, tell me it was Josh,” Sophie begged, her voice cracking in excitement.
Oh, God. Notthatlook. He wouldn’t be able to contain her outburst, but it was inevitable.
“It was Josh.”
