TRAITORS. Which one of you told her?
Sophia
Gabi
Gabi
Sophia
Sophia
It was definitely Gabi
"The fact that I'm lying to them," I admit. "They don't know about Gavin. They don't know I'm gay. They don't even know about medical school."
"What?” The collective shout makes me wince.
"Your dad doesn't know you're pre-med?" Luca looks scandalized. "How?"
"He doesn't exactly ask." My shoulders hunch defensively. "He talks AT me about joining the construction business. Doesn't matter what I say, he just keeps planning my life."
"That's screwed up," Leo says quietly. "You're brilliant. You're gonna be an amazing doctor."
"Try telling him that," I mutter. "He thinks Uni is a waste of time and money. Thinks I should be working with my hands like a real man."
"Toxic masculinity bullshit," Max grumbles, already moving toward me for another hug. I let him, because honestly, I need it.
"You know what else is toxic masculinity?" JP says, surprising everyone. "This idea that we can't want romance. That wanting to date and find a connection makes us weak."
We all look at him.
"I know I make everything about data," he continues, adjusting his glasses. "But the truth is... I want what Seb has. Someone who looks at me like I'm amazing. Someone who doesn't mind when I make spreadsheets about our relationship milestones."
"That's really specific," Elliot says.
"I may have thought about it. A lot." JP's cheeks go pink. "The point is, we all deserve that. Even if we're awkward or forget names or can't stop talking about code."
"Even if we're virgins who've never even kissed anyone?" Max asks quietly.
The room goes silent. Max never talks about this stuff directly.
"Especially then," Leo says firmly, and there's a strangeness in his voice that makes me look closer. The way he's carefully not looking at Max. The way his hand twitches like he wants to reach out.
Interesting.
My phone rings again. I can't avoid it anymore.
"Safety in numbers," I mutter, answering. "Hi, Mama."
"Sebastiano," her voice fills the room even though it's not on speaker. Everyone freezes, as if she might sense them through the phone. "Your sisters say you have news."
"No news, Mama. Just studying."
"Studying," she repeats. "Is that what we're calling it now?"
"I don't know what you mean."
"Figlio mio, I gave birth to you. I know when you're hiding something."
