As much as I did want to talk about him and know what was going on in his life, he was right that we had something else to discuss first. I cleared my throat. “So remember when I told you I kissed Heath?”
“Oh, I remember just fine.”
Of course he would. The man had the memory of an elephant, long and cold. “Well, I kissed him again. With his permission, this time.”
“Progress.”
“That’s all you’re gonna say?”
He put down his brush and half turned to face me. “What are you really telling me, Creek?”
“I’m bi. Bisexual.”
“Okay.”
“And I’m attracted to Heath.”
“Okay.”
“And for some incomprehensible reason, he seems to like me too.”
“Okay.”
“Jesus, is that all you can say, ‘okay?’”
“No, but it seemed the best response while you were still figuring out what to tell me.”
“You’re not shocked?”
“Shocked? That you’re bi? No, the shock came when you told me you kissed a man and even more under which circumstances. After that, the bisexual part was pretty much a given, as was your connection with Heath. Who I like, by the way. A lot.”
I couldn’t help the undoubtedly sappy smile that broke free on my face. “Yeah?”
Nash stared at me for a few seconds, then slowly shook his head. “Jesus, Creek, there’s an expression I never thought I’d see on your face. You look goofy, but it’s strangely appealing.”
A dry chuckle burst from my lips. “Now that I’m bi, you’re into me?”
Nash’s eyes sparkled. “Totally. Can’t wait to ravish you.”
We both burst out laughing. “Can’t believe you managed that with a straight face. That was corny as hell, man,” I told him.
“I know, and so wrong on every level. No offense, but you’re like a little brother to me, man. You may be hot or whatever in Heath’s eyes, but you don’t ring my bell. Not even a little.”
“I’m sure I should be offended on some level, but I’m really not.”
He grew serious again, the smile fading from his face. “This changes nothing, Creek. You’re the same man you were yesterday or last month.”
I dragged a hand through my hair. It was getting long. Longer than I usually wore it. Time for a haircut? Or I could let it grow. With my official release from the Army imminent, I could wear it however the fuck I wanted to now. What a strange thought. “I’m not sure I’m the same man. Some stuff has been happening.”
Nash picked up his brush again. “Wanna talk about it?”
The man knew me well enough to be aware I didn’t have an easy time opening up to begin with, and I loathed having to talk with someone watching me. It stressed me the fuck out. “Heathcalled it a panic attack. What happened at the bar two days ago, I mean.”
“It wasn’t?”
“I don’t know. Having never had one before, I don’t know how they feel, but it didn’t feel like panic to me. More like…” I closed my eyes, honestly trying to remember what had been going through my mind. “Anger.”
“Anger?”
