Page 44 of We Are Just Us

“Already?”

“We just ordered churros!”

Rory turned to him, his brow furrowing with sudden curiosity. Or understanding. “You okay?” he asked, his voice dropping to a quieter, private register.

“Yeah,” Kieran said, forcing a curt smile. “It was a long day of writing. I should get back to the dogs.”

It wasn’t a lie. It wasn’t the truth either.

He stood, slinging his jacket over his shoulder, acutely aware of Rory’s eyes tracking his every movement.

“Good meeting you, Kieran!”

“Come back anytime, man!”

Meg smiled gently up at him. “See you around, neighbor.”

He threw forty dollars on the table—way more than his share of a single drink, but math required a level of brainpower he currently couldn’t access. He managed a vague wave and made for the patio exit before his face could betray him completely.

Outside, the night air was cooler, quieter, cutting through the tequila buzz. He was already a few steps down the sidewalk when he heard voices calling out from the patio behind him.

“Yeah, I know.” Rory’s voice carried over the ambient noise. “Dawn patrol tomorrow. I’m beat.”

A chorus of good-natured disbelief followed him. “You say that every time!”

“Bring him some churros!”

The voices faded. Kieran kept walking, his pulse hammering in his ears, completely unsure of whether he wanted Rory to follow him or leave him alone.

“Hey, wait up.”

Rory caught up to him in a few quick strides, his longer legs easily bridging the distance. “Can I walk with you?”

Kieran glanced back, his pace slowing. “You’re leaving? Because of me?”

“I’ve been around those nerds all day,” Rory said, falling into step beside him. “I was already looking for an excuse to bounce.”

Kieran nodded, staring straight ahead at the sidewalk.

“Thanks for coming,” Rory said quietly. “They’re a lot to handle all at once.”

“They’re great,” Kieran said honestly. “They’re clearly huge fans of yours.”

Rory snorted, shoving his hands into his pockets. “That’s highly debatable.”

Kieran smiled, the fresh air finally clearing the fog in his head. “It’s really not.”

They walked in a heavy quiet for a block or two, the noise of the highway fading into the background. Houses slid past, their porch lights casting long yellow blocks across the pavement. The smell of salt water and damp night air began to replace the scent of the restaurant.

Finally, Kieran’s brain completely lost its filter.

“You know I’m gay, right?”

Rory didn’t miss a beat. He didn’t stumble. He just glanced over, his expression calm. “Okay.”

Kieran stopped walking, waiting for the rest of the sentence. Nothing came. “That’s it? Just okay?”

Rory stopped too, turning to face him. He was smiling now, a small, genuine thing. “Okay,” he said again, his voice soft. “Thanks for telling me.”