Chapter 80
“I’m—” Bryn began to apologize.
“It’s okay.” Gus took Bryn’s hand and held it as though it was the most natural thing in the world. Bryn stared at their fingers. Gus rubbed Bryn’s knuckles with his thumb. Bryn suddenly couldn’t catch his breath. He was lost, broken open, with everything that made him up leaking out everywhere. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d spoken to his father or what he’d said. But it sure as hell hadn’t contained the words “I love you.”
Gus made an affectionate noise and rose to his feet. He turned and wedged himself beside and behind Bryn, who immediately found himself pressed to a thin, bony chest and hugged. “I miss him too,” Gus whispered. And he kissed Bryn’s hair.
Nobody treated Bryn like this. Nobody. Except Ellis. And now Gus. It was like they knew a different version of Bryn that he himself had never met. But, he thought as he sighed and shut his eyes, I might like to meet him. I think I’d like to behim