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“You about ready?” Oliver asked as he peeked his head into Matt’s room—no, the spare room at Ollie’s house that Matt used

“Yeah Let’s go”

That was it for their conversation It was quiet as they walked to Oliver’s car Quiet as Oliver drove to the address Matt had given hi phone because he kneould be Parker, and he didn’t feel like talking to the ht now

Parker wasn’t a bad man—he wasn’t Matt knew he cared for him, but then how much could he care when Matt had never fully let him in?

When they pulled up to the uard at the gate so they would let hih, Oliver found a place to park

He would speak now, Matt knew it so he got out of the car before Oliver had the chance That didn’t stop his friend, though—it never would He hurried out and grabbed Matt by the arm as he tried to walk away

“You wanna walk ae get in the car right now and leave,” he said Matt couldn’t help but smile at the honorable, yet naïve sentiment

“It’sto war or so I’ve done this a thousand times I’ll freak out on the inside, hide it on the outside, and get through it It’s not a big deal”

Oliver’s eyes turned down, sadness bleeding out of his features “Anything that hurts you or scares you or oing to realize that?”

Jesus, this man was incredible Did anyone love the way Oliver did? “You’re all heart, Ollie I’ve always loved and admired that about you It’s fine I’m fine”

Ollie sighed but then he leaned forward, cupped the side of Matt’s head, fingers in his hair and kissed Matt’s forehead

“Ti to release the pent-up tension inside of him and around them as well

“I got your back, Matty Always”