Page 80 (1/2)

“Then I’ll tell the mad Desperate to stop him

He spun on his expensive shoes “You have no proof”

“I need proof to tell everyone you’re gay?” I huffed

“Yeah, you do And it’s just going to be the ra to save her ass versus a well-establishedto believe you, Lex”

“It will ruin you You can’t be gay in Nashville,” I sputtered “No one ith you”

He began to walk through the house, but I was on his heels “No proof As athis to me”

“I know you’re gay You told me We’ve talked about it I cried with you in your rundown apartment You were afraid to come out to your parents You couldn’t tell your friends You couldn’t even tell the man you were in love with”

His face seized in agony “Shut up, Lex You don’t knohat you’re talking about I’ to take my chances”

“And risk the judg I know about you, it’s that all you care about are appearances You’ll die if I tell”

He was at the front door “And if there is so I know about you, it’s that you’re too weak to do what has to be done You would never sell me out like that Because as sad as it is, you still care about thoseto you Somewhere in that pretty little head of yours you think I’o The one who irl to a country uy exists And you knohat? He doesn’t He’s gone, babe

And what’s left is your soft heart Your box of uts to save herself”

He closed the door I closedhe said was true

32

Luke

My phone started ringing as I drove hoave me extra ti the Wranglers I was tired My eyes burned My shoulders ached I was ready to get home and drink a cold beer