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It’s not entirely untrue, but it’s not the whole truth either. I hated the idea when Paige suggested it. We fought about it, but of course, Mom and Dad took her side. Like always.

Tina sighs. “Ah, siblings. Wish I had some.”

“You can have mine,” KC pipes up, wrinkling his nose. “Well, not my sister. Take my brother. He’s a homophobic asshole.”

“Hmm, no thanks. I’ll pass.”

I glance up at him, curious but cautious. “He doesn’t accept you?”

KC rolls his eyes. “DJ likes to pretend he does, but the little comments slip out. It used to hurt when I first came out in high school, but now I’m over it.”

“My dad is kind of the same way. He doesn’t know about me. That I’m gay, or anything. He’s an Air Force guy, so…yeah.”

Tina groans, throwing their head back while KC points at me with his fork. “See? I knew you were gay. My gaydar is never wrong. Tina, you owe me twenty bucks, bitch.”

“My sister knows, though,” I continue, smiling despite myself. “And my mom. They’re cool with it.”

“Same. My dad’s not around anymore, but he would’ve loved me no matter what.”

“You both are lucky,” Tina sighs again, setting their plate aside. “I’m from small-town Missouri. My family is religious. They all but disowned me when I brought home my girlfriend for Christmas last year.”

I frown, glancing up at them. “That’s... messed up. I don’t know if my dad would go that far.”

“Now we just need Carpenter to bat for the other team, and we’d have a whole club going.” KC stands on the counter, reaching up for Tina’s empty plate as his roommate laughs.

“If your booty shorts haven’t enticed him yet, I don’t think it’ll happen. That boy is straighter than an arrow.”

“I am nothing but persistent.”

They chatter away, making jokes, while I try to eat the rest of my food. And I really do try, forcing down a few more bites, until KC asks me a question that has my stomach souring.

“So, you got a boyfriend, Shilo?”

Nausea floods my system. I shake my head as I stand, handing him my plate. “No.”

“Whoa, what was that reaction about?“ His eyes widen, blond strands brushing his face as he tilts his head. “Is it my cooking?”

“No, your cooking is amazing.” I wince because I’m terrible at talking to people. “I’ve only had one experience with a guy, and... it wasn’t good.”

Well, it was. Until it wasn’t.

Tina grips the railing, eyes blazing. “What happened? Did someone hurt you? Was it at one of the clubs here in Seattle? We’re not afraid to hunt down a motherfucker if we have to.”

Jesus. “No, it was some guy I picked up for Uber. He didn’t hurt me, not exactly. He just kind of made me feel used. Worthless.”

Well, that was unsatisfying. Thanks for nothing.

KC’s expression shifts, a flicker of something I can’t place, before he grabs my shoulders firmly. “Fuck that guy. We’re taking you out and finding you someone better to erase that memory.”

“Here, here!” Tina cheers, raising a sippy cup, which makes me blink in confusion before refocusing on KC’s determined smirk.

“Wait, huh? Take me out?”

“Yep. Halloween’s this weekend, and we’re going dancing. We’ll be your wingpartners.”

My heart jumps into my throat, and I step back, shoulders hunched. “That sounds awful and I’d rather die.”

Frickin’ hell. Why didn’t I just say I have other plans?