Page 64 of Clinically Awkward

I took a long drink of my beer and contemplated my life choices.

“Okay,” Gabriel said, ever the voice of reason. “Let’s focus. Quinton, when did this happen?”

“Last night.”

“And Julien doesn’t know?”

“Not unless someone told him,” I said, glaring at Fitz.

“I didn’t tell Julien,” Fitz said innocently. “I told Nathan. And Gabriel. And apparently the information spread from there.”

“You told half the hospital!”

“I told two people. It’s not my fault they have big mouths.”

Nathan raised his hand. “I didn’t tell anyone.”

“You told me I had to come because tonight was going to be epic,” Hayden said. “In the car. You said, and I quote, ‘We’re going to Quinton’s because he did something monumentally stupid and we need to help him not die.’”

“See? I was being helpful.”

“You were being a gossip.”

“Those two things are not mutually exclusive.”

I dropped my head into my hands. “I’m going to die.”

“Probably,” Fitz agreed cheerfully. “But let’s focus on the important question: Was she worth it?”

I looked up as four pairs of eyes stared at me expectantly.

“I’m not answering that.”

“That’s a yes,” Gabriel said.

“Definitely a yes,” Nathan added.

“Oh, it’s absolutely a yes,” Hayden said, grinning. “Look at his face. He’s got that ‘I made a terrible decision, but I’d do it again’ expression.”

“I hate all of you.”

“You love us,” Fitz corrected. “Now. Let’s talk strategy. How is he going to tell Julien without getting himself murdered?”

“I’m not.”

“You have to.”

“I’m going to fake my death and move to Argentina.”

“I suggested that earlier,” Fitz said. “It’s not practical.”

“Neither is telling Julien that I slept with his sister!”

“Fair point,” Hayden conceded.

Gabriel leaned forward, his expression serious. “Quinton, you can’t avoid this. Julien’s going to find out eventually. Better it comes from you than from⁠—”

“The hospital grapevine?” I finished bitterly. “Yeah, I’m aware.”