Chapter 33

“I love you,” Luke whispered fervently against his lips, and Shane breathed in deep.

“I’m…I’m going to…”

Luke waited. Shane knew he was being watched, but kept his eyes closed. Luke could see through the most impressive of poker faces with those icy blue eyes, and Shane wasn’t up to the scrutiny, however well-intended.

“I’ll tell them,” he whispered eventually. “Today.”

His phone buzzed again; when Shane pulled away, pain opening up his chest like he’d been stabbed, Luke’s eyes were the bluest things he’d ever seen.

* * * *

Dad didn’t say a word until he rolled the car up onto the drive, put the handbrake on, and grunted.

Shane kept his eyes resolutely on the dashboard. He felt sick. He’d been trying not to throw up for the whole ride, and the potholes on the approach to Wheatley hadn’t helped.

“Er. Shane.”

Dad’s tone was gruff and stilted, and it caught Shane’s attention quickly.

“You, er. Good day at school?”

Shane frowned. “Um. Yeah.”