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At lunch. When he’d flipped out.
“Yeah.” Nick swallowed. He couldn’t read his brother’s voice, and after the fight with Gabriel, this uncertainty left him on edge.
Chris was silent for a moment, and Nick could imagine him standing there, choosing his words carefully.
Nick couldn’t handle the silence. “Say something, Chris,” he said, more sharply than he intended. “You’ve obviously figured it out. So say what you want to say.”
Adam had stopped whatever he was doing in the kitchen, and was now watching Nick from across the apartment.
You okay? he mouthed.
Nick nodded.
And Chris was still silent.
“Forget it,” said Nick bitterly. “Just tell Michael where I am and that I’m okay.”
“Wait,” said Chris.
Nick waited.
Chris took a breath. “I’m sorry you thought you had to keep this a secret.”
The words hit with every bit as much impact as Gabriel’s had—but these didn’t hurt. In fact, they seemed to absorb some of the earlier blow. Nick didn’t know what to say.
“It’s okay,” Chris added. “I mean—with me. You’re my brother, and—I want you to be happy, all right?”
Nick drew a shaky breath. He was nodding until he realized that was ridiculous and Chris couldn’t see him. “All right.”
“Seriously. You okay?”
“Yeah.”
“What happened to Gabriel? Didn’t you go out together?”
Nick drew a hand down his face. “I don’t really want to talk about it. I only wanted to make sure someone knew where I was.”
Chris didn’t say anything for a moment. “I’ll tell Michael.”
“Thanks.” Nick paused. “Hey. How did you know?”
“I didn’t know for sure. But that day in the cafeteria. When Gabriel was giving you shit about the text message.” Chris hesitated. “When you left, you were crying.”
Damn. “Did anyone else see?”
“No one saw. I felt it.” Another pause. “It’s okay, though. I didn’t say anything.”
He felt it. The tears.
Nick almost smiled. “You’re a good little brother.”
“Nah, you caught me on a good day.”
Now Nick did smile. “I’m glad you were home.” He looked up and saw Adam standing by the stove. It looked like he was stirring something. Nick inhaled chocolate and cinnamon. “I should go.”
“Okay.” He paused. “I’m here all night if you need to call back.”
If Gabriel’s actions had shredded his heart, Chris was doing wonders to stitch it back together. “Thanks, Chris.”
