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It doesn't matter what he thinks about you, I tell myself sternly

"God hates fags, yeah?"

I stand up and pull on the cap again before heading downstairs My legs feel too heavy as Iroom, where I’ot everybody at the smaller breakfast table in the kitchen

I push through the door into the kitchen, and yep The round, oak breakfast table, situated by the hexagonal breakfast nook, is piled high with baskets and platters Moood cheese rolls she makes from scratch and spinach salad, Carl's sweet potato fries, and that really good asparagus they do in the skillet

"Da to look at theat the stovetop, whirls around, arching her eyebrows

"Dang," I correct with a quick grin "Smells like heaven in here"

Mo her apron, and she looks tired but satisfied Carl steps over to her, kissing her hair

"Got sohs like she's in high school

"None for you boys," she says, winking "We’re fun here, but not that fun”

Carl and her make heart eyes at each other, and I step over to the bar, where Mo my time before I'll have to look at Ezra

Then I just do it As ifeye-locked with hihtens andLike it's infected

"Ezra," I say I sound like one of those old guys at church who keep their faces weirdly neutral when they pass you in the halls and just say your na some kind of approval

He lifts his brows "Hi"

“Hi Is that what you say in Virginia?"

I can tell I've caught hiuard His face falters for a second, and he says, "Hey is for horses”

"What’s theover to the table

Ezra squares his shoulders, whichbefore Also, I notice he's got on a gray T-shirt now It looks alot what I think is a faded Guinness beer logo