Chapter 14

“Come sit next to me,” Charlie said, patting the seat beside him on the swing.

Evan almost sighed in relief—thishe could handle. “No.” It felt good to say it—it made him think he was the one in control here, the one who had the final say…wasn’t he? Wasn’t this what he wanted, to keep the distance between them? He wasn’t going to give in, was he?

Then why do I hate myself for saying no? Ask me again, Charlie—I might say yes this time. I want to sit there, your hand on my knee, your arm around my shoulders, my head against your chest. I want it more than anything else in the whole world. Just please, ask me again.

But Charlie stayed silent, and they didn’t speak as the sky darkened and the cicadas started their nightly wail. When they finally headed inside for the night, Charlie lay down on the couch without being asked. “Night, Evan,” he said softly.