Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck! How does he know? I’ve never talked about Easton around him.
“You look like you’re going to shit your pants.” He grins. “Don’t worry, I said I’m not going to tell anyone. But dude, neither of you were subtle, and I’m very surprised more people haven’t picked up on it. There is a fine line between love and hate, and they do call it hate fucking for a reason. Either way, I care about you. I don’t want to see you get hurt. I know what Liam did to you, and I don’t want anyone else treating you second best. You also deserve someone who can give you the world.”
“It’s complicated,” I tell him, not confirming or denying anything. He doesn’t know what's really going on, and he doesn’t need to.
“Isn’t it always?” He sighs. “While we’re being honest, I’m kind of glad you're letting me down.”
“You are?”
“While I was home for break, I started hanging out with someone. He’s been a good friend. Helped a lot with me getting around. We kind of started becoming friends before that. I don’t know, it’s still new. But I was starting to feel bad for getting feelings for someone else while we had something going on.”
“We weren’t official. It’s okay if you ended up liking someone more. I don’t hate you for it.”
“And I don’t hate you for it either.” He grins. “I guess good luck to both of us? We still friends? Because you’re a good guy and I’d hate for things to be weird.”
“Why would they be weird?” I grin, feeling a wave of relief.
“They won’t. Things tend to get weird when one guy sucks another guy's cock, though.” Roland gives me a sly grin as I suck on my own tongue.
“Sometimes you are too brash for your own good.” I shake my head.
“Ah, it’s fun to see people get flustered. It worked with you.”
Rolling my eyes, I chuckle. “So, we’re good?”
“Yeah, we’re good. And thanks for this. Meeting up, you know? Some people would just want to get it over with and text, skipping out on the awkward conversation. It shows good character that you did this face-to-face, and I appreciate it. Just know, I was planning on doing the same thing if things between my friend and me became something more.”
“Thank you. That means a lot.” Whoever this guy is, I hope he’s able to be something more for Roland and give him something I wasn’t able to. He’s a good guy, he deserves it.
With the weight off my shoulders, I sit and talk with Roland a bit before having to leave. I give him a hug and take off to head down to the bookstore to help Lilly and Mom out.
Since things with Roland are taken care of, I can go into things with Easton with a clearer mind.
Now it’s time for Easton to do the same. I know I want to be with him and that I love him. But I meant what I said. I won’t start anything with him while he’s with Taylor.
They might not actually be dating, but no one but me, Aria, and the two of them know that.
If by chance someone sees me with Easton, I don’t want Easton getting a reputation on top of having to come out as gay.I also don’t want Taylor to be put in that situation either, if someone by chance sees her and Aria together.
This way, things are less messy. Still not clean, but not as bad as it could be.
Chapter 17
Easton
While Bennett meets up with Roland, I texted Taylor to see if she was free.
I’m a nervous wreck. I know it needs to be done, and we’re not actually together, so I know I’m not breaking her heart.
But Taylor and I have been through so much together. We’ve been each other's safe place and shoulder to lean on for over six years.
Us breaking up... it’s going to get attention. That much I know.
Not just by our friends and peers, but by her family.
I’m not too worried about my parents. I hardly talk to my mom. As much as it kills me to avoid her, it’s better that I do. Any time I see her, it makes me want to kill my father, because she’s always sporting a new bruise.
She stopped reaching out, stopped trying. I still check in, just to make sure she’s still alive.
