Dinner was delicious. Walker and I were so damn hungry I don’t think we even paused to breathe. We get like this after a game. Maddie always makes fun of us. [RH3]I glance her way. Of course, she’s talking to Kenji again. God, this dinner is taking forever, and I’m sitting here on pins and needles. Why is Kenji even pursuing her? He had his chance, and he blew it.
Kenji excuses himself to go to the restroom, and I see my chance. Walker’s distracted by his conversation with Lily, so hurry after him. The restroom is at the other end of the dining room, so I have to weave in and out of tables to catch up with him.
“Kenz, wait a second.” I call as he gets to the door of the men’s room. He’s surprised to see me, but damn, he shouldn’t be.
“Hey Liam. What’s up?” he asks carefully. Good, he knows I’m pissed.
“What the hell, man? I thought you and Maddie broke up?”I ask, not even trying to keep the frustration out of my voice. I want him to know he’s crossed a boundary with me.
“We did. Is that why you’re so pissed tonight? Because she came with me? You know there’s nothing between us anymore. We’re just friends.”
“‘Cause friends need to touch each other that much, right? She’s in my fucking jersey and you’ve got your hands on her. What the hell am I supposed to think?”
“Calm the fuck down. It’s not at all what you’re thinking.”
“The what the hell is it? Because it looks to me like you’re trying to get her back.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake.” He looks incredibly annoyed, but I could give a shit because I’m not giving up my girl without a fight.
“Fuck it! Not how I wanted this to happen but what the hell.” He takes a deep breath and blurts out, “I’m gay, Liam.”
“What? That’s not funny, Kenz. Don’t be a dick.”
“I’m not kidding. I’m gay. Always have been. My relationship with Maddie was never real.” He lets out a deep sigh, and I can almost feel the exhaustion in it. “Look, I’ve been meaning to tell you guys for a while now. It just never seemed like the right time. It still doesn’t, but at this point, I’m not sure there is a right time.”
I just stand there gaping at him until my brain comes back online. I struggle to wrap my head around all of this new information. Kenji’s gay. Holy shit, Kenji’s gay. How did I miss that? He’s one of my best friends.
Is he though? He hasn’t been since he started dating Maddie. Not really.
I guess I have been pulling back since they started dating. It’s hard to be friends and be in love with your friend’s girl. But she wasn’t his girl. Not ever, apparently. Because it was all fake.
“So, your relationship was a lie? Five years, man.” I shake my head. “Why didn’t she just tell me the truth?”
“Because it wasn’t my truth to tell, Liam.” Maddie says quietly from behind me. Well, fuck. “You didn’t have to out yourself for me, Kenz. I’m sorry that it happened like this.”
“It’s okay. I didn’t do it just for you. I’m doing it for me, too. The hiding was killing me anyway. It was time.”
“Just for the record, I could care less that you’re gay, Kenz. Was it because I haven’t been a very good friend lately? ‘Cause if that was the case, then I’m really sorry. I’m pretty sure I was just jealous that you guys were together.”
“You’re doing alright so far, Liam. But thanks for that.” Kenji says with his first genuine smile of the evening. “I just wasn’t ready. It had more to do with me actually saying the words out loud. You and Walker have always been good friends to me. Well, at least when you’re not being a jealous prick.” The grin on his face takes away the sting of his rebuke.
“That’s fair. I was being a dick. Sorry about that.”
“Who’s being a dick? And why are you all standing outside the bathroom?” Walker asks, appearing at the end of the hallway and looking confused.
“We’re talking about me being gay. You missed the big reveal.” Kenji tells him with a heavy dose of sarcasm.
“What? No way. That explains so much!” Walker says as he claps Kenji on the shoulder. “Congrats on coming out, man. That’s gotta be a load off, right? Oh, so I guess that means you aren’t trying to date my sister again, huh?”
Maddie, Kenji and I exchange a quick glance before we burst out laughing. Maddie rolls her eyes.
“Jeez Walker.” She tells him, even as she’s grinning.
“Whatever. Kenz, we love ya, man, and we’ll always have your back. You do you.” Walker says, finally serious for once.
“I agree. We got you.” I tell him and Maddie echoes my support.
“Group hug!” Walker shouts obnoxiously, smashing us all together. Even Kenji’s looking ridiculously thrilled despite his antics, before escaping from our forced affection to thebathroom. Walker looks like he’s about to go in after him, but I stop him with a hand on his stomach.
