I glance at Blaze and find him watching me intently.
“Is Fox staying at his frat house?”I ask.
“Sometimes, yeah,” Blaze answers, leaning back in his seat.
“Sometimes?”I echo, feeling the ache in my chest tighten.
“You miss him?”Blaze asks, raising an eyebrow.
“I don’t like Fox, Blaze,” I lie, my voice unconvincing even to myself.“He’s straight and a dick.”
Blaze chuckles, the sound low and amused.
Denying my feelings for Fox feels pointless.Every time I try to convince myself otherwise, the truth claws its way back to the surface.He’s what I want, even if I know he’ll never feel the same.
“What?”I snap, frustrated.“Please don’t tell me he’s also closeted like you.I’ll definitely lose it.”
Blaze laughs harder this time, shaking his head.“Fox has been straight his whole life.And no offense, but he’s never going to return that feeling.You know what I mean.”
I look away, biting my lip.“I don’t like Fox,” I mumble weakly.
“Then go out with me,” Blaze says suddenly.
“What?”I blink at him, startled.“Go out with you?Are you serious?”
Blaze turns to face me, his gray eyes sparkling in the dim light of the car.He looks impossibly good, and I hate how my heart skips a beat.
“You heard me,” he says softly.“I like you.I’ve liked you for a while now.”
I open my mouth, but no words come out.This is too much.Too fast.
“I-I… I can’t,” I finally stammer, shaking my head.“It’s not about Fox or Elias.I just… I don’t think I’m ready for this.Especially not with you.No offense.”
Blaze smiles faintly, biting his lip.“Am I that bad?”
I manage a small chuckle.“No, you’re not.You’re… great.It’s just…” I trail off, searching for the right words.“You’re this popular guy, Blaze.You can get anyone you want.I don’t think I’m… enough.”
Blaze’s expression softens.“You’re wrong,” he says quietly.“Because I couldn’t get you.”
I look down at my hands, unsure of what to say.
“Just think about it,” Blaze says gently.“I’m not trying to pressure you.I just wanted to be honest.”
I nod slowly, glancing up at him.“Alright.I’ll think about it.”
Blaze smiles, and for a moment, the tension eases.
“Before I forget,” he says, “we’ve got a game next week at school.I’d really like it if you came to watch.”
“A soccer game?”I ask, arching an eyebrow.
“Yeah.”
I hesitate, then nod.“Sure.Why not?”
“You’ll come?”
“I said yes, didn’t I?”
