The person who’d always been there for him.
The person he’d never once told to stay, because he’d been so afraid of losing him if he held on too tight.
“You don’t need to thank me for that,” Riley said. “My choice of you as my best friend is entirely selfish. I’m constantly amazed that you put up with me.”
“Hey, you’ve got a lot of great qualities,” Brent responded. “None I can think of right now, but…”
Riley smacked his arm gently, but he laughed at the same time. “Here I am pouring my heart out to you and you’relaughingat me. I’ve changed my mind. I want a friendship divorce.”
“No you don’t,” Brent said, confident for once that Riley really did want to be here.
He didn’t know what that meant, not entirely, but he knew that it was true.
“No, I don’t,” Riley agreed. “You’re stuck with me.”
“I’m okay with that.” Brent grabbed another slice of pizza, knowing he needed to get in fast before Riley finished it all off. He seemed to have a completely bottomless stomach.
Not only was he okay with being stuck with Riley, hewantedto be stuck with him.
If following his heart was what he was meant to do, then he needed to say something.
Tomorrow, he promised himself. Tomorrow after lunch, he’d sit Riley down, hand him a beer, and tell him how he really felt. Riley could either take it or leave it, but Brent had to let him know.
If he didn’t, he’d regret it for the rest of his life, and there was no making amends for that.
