Chapter 21

Now the boys were gone and the house was quiet. Ryan let his musings about the day go as he turned his thoughts to André. His emotions had swung back and forth in the previous twenty-four hours: from firmly resolving to avoid any involvement, to entertaining the possibility of making another attempt at finding…what? Love?

He put the last of the plates he had been drying in the cabinet and made his way to the living room. He glanced around to make sure it was all in order before going upstairs. Satisfied, he climbed the stairs. André’s door was partially shut. He knocked softly and pushed it open.

André was sitting on the edge of his bed. He was dressed only in sweat pants. He sat with his head bowed and his hands folded between his knees. He looked up and smiled weakly as Ryan entered the room.

“Bath?” he asked tentatively.

“If you’re ready?” Ryan returned.

André shrugged his shoulders and said, “Guess?”