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“Don’t get too far ahead of yourself.” I take a minute to kiss his trembling lips, the salt of his tears a stark reminder that I need to be strong for both of us, even though I’m fucking terrified.“First off, remember that wherever you are, or wherever I am, that’s just geography. It’s temporary, and it doesn’t change anything. Got it?” That’s the part I always believed Xavier and Piper could overcome if they tried, and while I get it’s not the top choice, I refuse to believe distance will come between me and Liam.
His head bobs slightly.
“Good. Second, the transfer portal is always an option.”
Liam shakes his head vigorously.
“I didn’t say it was the answer, but it is an option. Let’s not rule it out before we know we don’t need it, okay?”
The determined set of his jaw suggests he’s not willing to explore that option, but I’m keeping it in my back pocket just in case.
“Alright,” I continue like we’ve agreed. “Now, work experience. That’s easy. We’ll just get you a job. And you can apply for a credit card at the student union. There’s always some group out there trying to get people signed up, and I think you can get a low limit card without a cosigner. See?” I take his hand and give it a gentle squeeze. “We can figure this out.”
“Neither of those things will change the fact that once the semester is over I’m out of resources. I can’t possibly earn enough to pay rent over the summer. Besides, he wants me to take classes starting in June to get established at Cornell.”
“So, you come home with me when the semester is over.” I wrap my arm around his shoulder and pull him to me, tucking his head under my chin so I can kiss the top of his head.
“I’m not sure you can fix this, Hero,” he whispers.
“Don’t count me out yet, Sunshine.”
He’s quiet for a few minutes before I hear him swallow and take a deep breath. “Did you mean it?”
“I wouldn’t have said it if I didn’t.” My fingers slide up and down his arm. “Was I right about you?”
“Yeah, Cruz.” Without moving his head off my shoulder, he wraps his arms around me and squeezes. “I love you, too.”
Chapter twenty-six
Liam
“Now, will you tell us why you summoned us here?” Jagger takes one of the glasses Cruz sets on the table and pours himself a beer from the pitcher.
“Yeah, no offense man, but you’re kind of freaking us out,” Cameron adds as Jagger fills his glass.
I suppose Cruz could’ve been a little less demanding when he told them he needed to talk and beers would be involved if they came right away, but apparently when my boyfriend makes up his mind he can’t be deterred.
Sliding into the booth next to me, Cruz doesn’t hesitate. “I’m gay and I’m dating Liam.”
Jagger and Cameron stare at us for a beat before they face each other and Camerson grins proudly. “Bet.”
“Fuck,” Jagger groans as he reaches for his wallet and slaps a twenty on the table.
“You knew?” Cruz gapes at his teammate, jaw hanging slightly open.
“Suspected.” Cameron shrugs as he pockets the money.
“How?”
“You two share a room and still always do everything together. No one does that unless they’re fucking.” Cameron lifts his glass in a mock toast and takes a sip.
“You two are basically inseparable and you live together.” Cruz points a finger at each of them. “Something you want to share?”
“That’s different.” Jagger shakes his head. “We’ve been inseparable since birth, more or less.”
“How is that different?” Cruz balks.
“Codependency.” I want to walk that back as soon as the word flies out of my mouth, but before I can Jagger agrees.
