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And I did It was suddenly clear as day to me His secret

Butto tellbecause I was afraid Afraid becausewounds that couldn’t be fixed, and when the dust settled, I wouldn’t have him anymore Not like before Not like I was supposed to have him

“This is hard for me, Everly” His voice was shaky, his hands fisted That place inside me, the small soft spot where ht that I could barely breathe

“It’s hard for me too,” I said hoarsely “And for Mom”

He , shaky breath

“I’ve never broken e vows I want you to know that Never”

I didn’t knohat to say to that I mean, it was so personal, and there was a part ofthis stuff

“But I’ain and leaned onto the table, his hands spread, his long elegant fingers thu his between yourtime”

“And that gives you the right to lie to her? To us? For over a year? How is that dealing with a problem?”

“I was trying to protect…to…”

“How is lying protecting your family?” I butted in “I’s worse Just because it’s easier to lie doesn’t ht me that”

He was silent for a few moments “No No, it doesn’t, and I’m sorry for that”

“Are you gay?” I blurted before I could stop myself

“What? No, I…”

But I saw the truth in his eyes