I start to stomp toward the front door, but Rafael grabs my arm and spins me back around. “Or,” he says, calm as ever, “you take a more tactical approach.” He reaches for my phone on the counter and hands it to me. “Book a meeting with your attorney. I bet he’d love this information. Don’t you?”
His words sink in slowly. He’s right; Steve could really use some ammunition to file that motion. But this is a small town. If I tell Steve, and Steve brings it up to the judge, Ethan will be outed. One way or another, it’ll become common knowledge.
“I can’t,” I say, shoulders sagging. “It’s not my secret to tell.”
Rafael, brows tightening, tugs at my arm. “Come here.” He pulls me toward him until my forehead rests against his chest. “Everything’s going to be okay.”
“God, I hope so.” I sink further into him. My mom used to say worrying was like spinning on the spot: lots of work and it got you nowhere. Right now, I feel like one of those colorful wind spinners Paige’s front yard is plagued with.
“Ugh, gross. Can you not before breakfast?” Ethan asks as he enters the kitchen. When we both turn, he points at the table. “You’re making me not want to eat.”
“It’s ahug,” I say, letting go of a snickering Rafael.
“It’s thewayyou’re hugging.”
With an eye roll, I serve breakfast. I know it’s stupid, but I can’t help throwing curious looks at my brother as I set the first pancake on his plate. Like now that I know he’s gay, I’ll see something that’ll explain why he doesn’t feel free to come out to me.
“What?” Ethan asks, his eyes narrowed.
“Hmm?”
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“I—” Flushing red, I turn to the stove. “Nothing. I… Nothing.”
“Are you taking the bus to school?” Rafael interjects, sitting at the table with a cup of coffee.
“Yeah.” I can still feel Ethan’s eyes on the back of my head, but I refuse to acknowledge him. “And apparently, so will Hunter.Someonetrashed his car last night. Spray-painted ‘Proud and fabulous’ on the hood.”
I whip around, immediately meeting Rafael’s gaze.
“Yes, Freckles?”
“You didnot.”
Ethan laughs, the first bite of pancake shoved in his mouth. “Too fucking cool.”
“Hey—language!” I tap the back of Ethan’s head with the spatula, then point it at Rafael. “Seriously? Tell me it wasn’t you.”
He sips coffee. “Uh, I’d rather not. You don’t like being lied to.”
Oh, unbelievable. How did he even do it? I had no idea he’d left the bed at any point. “You know, if you’re going to be around my brother, you’ll need to lead by example.” I point at Ethan. “What does this teach him?”
Rafael’s lips purse, as if he’s considering my words, even thoughEthan’s shaking his head and chuckling under his breath. “Okay, yes. You have a point.” He sets the mug down. “Ethan, damage to property isnota great way to solve your problems,” Rafael says, his tone serious. Then he crosses his arms and leans back. “Unless the property belongs to Hunter, and he absolutely deserves it. Then it’s… an educational experience.”
Ethan chokes on his pancake, half laughing, half gasping. “You’re my hero.”
I glare at both of them, spatula still pointed like I’m about to execute them, then I turn to the stove. “My boyfriend, everyone.”
They both stop eating, stop moving, and my body stiffens, muscles tightening as ridges of tension form along my shoulders and back. My fists clench so tightly that my knuckles turn white around the spatula.
Did I just call him my boyfriend? Out loud?To his face?
Rafael must have noticed, too, because the silence continues until Ethan says, “Did you just accidentally DTR?”
I don’t have the heart to turn around and check Rafael’s expression, so I just nod stiffly.
“Oh. Errr… well. I’m late for school.”
