Page 281 of Boys Who Hunt

“Why?” She’s got that smug smile on her face just like I remember. “Something I need to know, Heath?”

“Actually, we’re dating,” I say, stepping back to pull Max into the conversation.

Max splutters, “Wait, hold up—”

But I kiss him on the lips to shut him up and show the world I mean it.

“Wow, holy shit,” Cece says.

My lips leave a stain on his, along with a giant blush turning his entire face red.

“I didn’t know you were gay,” Cece says.

“No.”

Ivy’s standing in the hallway, so I go and grab her and kiss her too, right in front of Cece.

“Bi,” I add after I’ve taken my lips off hers. “And damn proud.”

Cece’s staring at us with wide-open eyes. “Wow … two at the same time?”

“Well, uh, it’s complicated,” Max says, scratching the back of his head while laughing.

“Three, if you count Silas.” Ivy shrugs.

“THREE?!” Cece screams. “Holy shit, girl, nicely done.” She high-fives Ivy. “Also, Silas? I thought that dude didn’t have a heart.”

“I didn’t think so either, but I guess we were all wrong,” Silas interjects. “Mom asks if we’re coming.”

“Right, of course,” Max says as Silas walks off again.

“Wait,” my dad’s voice makes me turn around.

Mom and Dad are standing in the hallway, staring at us so uncomfortable that the room feels like it got ten degrees colder.

“Yikes,” Max mutters, grabbing Ivy’s hand. “Let’s go introduce you to the rest of the family.”

He pulls her away from us, so I have some time alone with my family.

“Heath,” Mom mutters, tears staining her eyes. “It really hurt.”

I walk to them and grab my mom, hugging her tightly before she begins to cry. “I’m sorry, Mom. I’m so sorry.”

But it’s no use. We’re both fucking crying, and I don’t want to stop either.

“It’s okay,” she whispers, caressing my back.

“No, it’s not,” I say.

“You were angry,” my dad says. “I get it.”

“You love Cece, and you wanted to protect her. That’s a good thing,” Mom says, grabbing my face. “That’s why we had to lie. For her sake as well as yours so you wouldn’t go get her back. She needed the time alone.”

“I understand now,” I say. “And I’m sorry for fucking things up.”

My dad pulls me in for a hug. “Come here.”

Even Cece comes in for the hug.