Chapter 25
“It’s alright, we don’t have to,” Ollie murmurs. “I wanted to see your face but I don’t have to, it’s alright.” He pulls Wes closer, running his fingers through his hair.
“Answer the question, please,” Wes pleads. “Just answer the question.”
“It doesn’t work like that,” Ollie finally answers with a note of desperation. “You don’t have a feature that comes to me with a name and I accept it. The closest you’ve come to cowardice is being more passive than me, but Wes, most people are more passive than me and, most of the time, that makes them better people.”
“No,” Wes denies. He lets go but Ollie doesn’t let him go too far. Wes still hasn’t opened his eyes, but he says, “I’m a coward.”
Wes feels Ollie’s hands come around his face. “Why would you think that?” Ollie asks as if he can’t even begin to imagine the concept. His thumbs stroke up and down Wes’s cheeks.
“I…” Wes swallows and leans his head on Ollie’s left palm. “I don’t dare to tell you.” He laughs bitterly.