Chapter 49

“For what?”

“Being here for all this crazy shit. And not pushing me to come out earlier. I know you wanted me to.”

“I don’t like the sneaking around,” Luke admitted, “but it was more important you were ready to do it. And I know you didn’t really mean to this time, but…”

“Thanks,” Shane repeated, and Luke offered a gentle smile.

“It’ll be okay,” he promised. “He was worried, Shane, not angry. Just give him a bit of time? And Jason was okay, wasn’t he?”

“Yeah,” Shane said softly.

“See? It’ll be fine.”

A chair in the living room creaked. Shane attempted to pull his hand back, but Luke narrowed his eyes and kept hold of it, twisting their fingers together until there was no way Shane could break the grip, and planting their joined hands in the middle of the textbook.

“He can see now,” Luke said firmly.

“I…”