Chapter 19

“That what?”

“That you would take my mind off of it.”

“Well,” I said, flushing hot, “I’d like to try.”

But Lei shook his head, stepping back. “Not when I’m like this.” His eyes were brimming with emotion. “Did I fuck this up?”

Whatever he was going through was immense. I could almost see it there between us, this mountain of hurt he couldn’t climb. “Absolutely not,” I said, meaning it.

“Okay. Okay. Good.” His cheeks were pale and I could tell he wasn’t well.

“But what if something happens to you on the way or—”

“Hey,” he said softly and briefly touched my shoulder. “Don’t worry…I’ll be all right. Just need to be alone.”

Out of ideas, I opened the door. “All right then.”

Without another word, Lei walked out.

“Lei?” I called him, not thinking. “Um, you do know that I’m gay, right?”

Why? Why was I blurting this out now?

Idiot.

He stood on the first step in the flight of stairs, looking up at me with a strange expression. A mix of bewilderment and anxiety. “Yeah…”