Page 123 of The Tryout

I catch up to him at the top of the stairs and, grabbing his hand, pull him in the direction of my room. I don’t know where his stuff is, and right now I don’t care. I shut the door behind him.

“You okay?”

I ask because he’s so…quiet, has been ever since the bar.

He nods, looking down at his feet. Well that’s not convincing.

Walking forward, I gently move him backward, until he’s leaning against the door. I lift his chin, forcing his eyes to meet mine.

“You don’t seem okay.”

He presses his lips together.

“You could have…if you wanted to, you know?”

I don’t know, and Avery’s in the kind of mood where I know it will take work to get it out of him.

“Could have what?”

“With that man. Could have accepted the drink. Gone home with him. You know.”

His eyes are back at the ground, and I’m not sure how to play this. Rather than play games, I decide to go with the truth.

“I thought we weren’t doing that with other people.”

This brings Avery’s eyes back to mine.

“We’re not. I’m not. But if you wanted to, I’d…I’d get it.”

I’m still confused. If he’s not with someone else, why would I want anything but him?

“I don’t want to.”

For some reason, he seems to need to hear this.

“Is it because he’s a guy? I know you’re still…figuring that out.”

I am? That’s news to me.

“No, Avery. I’m into guys – which you of anyone should know.”

“You are? You’re not just…experimenting, I guess?”

I want to roll my eyes at this, but I hold myself back.

“No, dude. I’m not.”

“Is it because he’s in private equity? Because, I mean, I get it. Total douchebros.”

I laugh at this.

“Avery, I don’t really even know what private equity is.”

“No one does.”

I smile, but the sadness is still in his eyes.

“Avery, what’s up?