“You okay?” he asks in my ear, his hand tracing gentle circles on my back.
I nod into his shoulder, but I’m not okay. I feel fragile, likeeverything is about to break. We pull apart, and I give him an unconvincing smile.
“We need to get together more often.” Trey claps me on the back. “I miss you, buddy.”
“I miss you too.” I nod at Lincoln and give Charlie a final hug.
While Marcus says his goodbyes, I walk to the foyer to put on my coat and shoes, then head out to the truck, feeling drained. We still have a two-hour drive ahead of us.
Marcus walks from the house, and we climb into the truck. He blows out a breath and looks at me. “You okay?”
I shake my head, my lip wobbling. “No.”
He reaches over, pressing a warm hand to my thigh as he starts up the engine and pulls out onto the darkened highway.
“I’m so sorry. I know that stuff with Dennis is fucked up, but if I’d known it was this bad, I never would have brought you?—”
I jerk my thigh from under his hand. “You think this is about Fiona’s stepfather?”
Marcus looks baffled as his eyes dart between me and the road. “It was pretty fucking scary.”
“Yes, it was, and I feel for Fiona. Truly. But that whole thing was just a drop in the bucket.”
“So what is it?”
“Are you really this dense?” I snap, frustration and anger running hot through my blood.
“Is this about the ‘decorator’ comment?” He shakes his head and gives me a frustrated look. “I found out tonight that you’ve fucked my sister’s boyfriends and younever told me. I think we’re even.”
“Are you kidding me? That happened in high school, Marcus. It’s not even relevant anymore!” I yank my hands through my hair. “Your fucking brother just came out as demi and then admitted to being in a poly relationship, but you can’ttell them you’re bi?” My voice cracks. “You can’t tell them you’re with me?”
“It’s more complicated than that.” His grip tightens on the steering wheel. “I didn’t expect John to be there?—”
“What does that matter?”
“And there’s my dad?—”
“Sebastian and Charlie don’t even know about him, Marcus! They think he’s been out of your life for three years! These secrets are going to bite you in the ass.”
He swallows heavily and puts on his signal, pulling off the road and coming to a stop. “Look, I’m scared, okay?” His voice shakes, and I look at him, surprised to see tears in his eyes. “Yes, it’s about protecting Seb and Charlie, but that’s the excuse I hide behind because I don’t want to admit that you’ve fucked me up.”
“Oh, this ismyfault?”
“Of course it’s your fault!”
I push open the door and practically fall onto the gravel pullout. Then, I tug my coat around my body and start walking. I know I’m being completely irrational, but I’m so fucking angry.
I hear the driver’s door slam as Marcus follows me outside.
“Jeremy! What the fuck are you doing?”
“Walking home,” I say petulantly.
“We’re in the middle of nowhere!” Marcus shouts. “You’re being ridiculous!”
I spin, throwing my arms out. “I’mbeing ridiculous?” I march up to him and shove my finger into his pec, which hurts my fucking finger. “You just blamedmeforyourinability to admit that you might actually care about someone other than your goddamn siblings.”
“But it is your fault,” he says softly, his hand cupping my face.
