Page 79 of Advanced Chemistry

“No, Savannah. Your grades haven’t come up in conversation.”

“It was definitely A-level material.” Savannah took her grades as seriously as her free time. “Sorry, you were saying…”

I mulled it over in my head. Ever since Chase confessed his feelings, I’d been thinking about him, and us, and what we were doing. I was a guy who liked a plan. I didn’t jump into anything without knowing where I wanted to go. This was the first time in my life when I pulled an Anton and let myself get carried away, and it was fantastic.

“I think I’m falling for Chase, too. But I still love Anton. Chase is thoughtful and listens. He indulges my Type-A side. Anton sets me free.”

I loved two men equally and differently. Was it that simple?

“I see no problem here.”

“Anton isn’t having it. He pretty much shut down when it came up.” Typical Anton. How dare a guy have actual feelings for him. This was part of why I’d kept my feelings hidden for so long. Whether or not they would be reciprocated, he would only let things go so far.

“Who says it’s up for him to decide? It’s two against one.”

“This isn’t kids deciding what video game to play at someone’s house. You can’t force people into a relationship. What if we actually start dating, and then Anton gets cold feet, or Chase gets cold feet? And then they’re gone.”

“They won’t be gone. Anton won’t leave like that. You two have a business together.”

“He could dissolve it.” We were on the verge of Hollis slipping through our fingers because we didn’t have anything tying us down to Beverage Solutions. Anton could peace out, we’d split up clients, and that would be that. I’d already watched a father walk out. I couldn’t bear watching my best friend do the same.

“Do you think Chase would leave you guys?”

“He could. He could get freaked out and bounce.” Chase was fragile like I was. He’d had a parent leave, and he didn’t want the thorny parts of a relationship. He was like a cat. One loud noise could cause him to skitter under the bed.

“You think these guys would do that to you?”

“Anyone can leave, Savannah.”

“Bullshit.” She sat up and whipped off her sunglasses. “Listen to me, Sebastian: Good people stay. Your dad? Not a good person. He is the minority. You have good people in your life. We stick around, whether you want us to or not. You and I have had our share of disagreements and flat-out arguments. But I didn’t bail, and neither did you. Your dad isn’t representative of all men. You’ve done a good job of only surrounding yourself with non-assholes. Anton and Chase care about you.” She squeezed my hand in her soft palm. “Good people stay.”

* * *

The next day,I met Chase at Bark to the Future, the local pet store in downtown Sourwood, where he was scouring the cat toy aisle.

“You look very deep in thought,” I said.

“Einstein’s taste keeps getting more and more particular. I used to be able to give her a bottle cap, and she’d spend a week playing with it.” He selected a banana-shaped, velvety catnip holder. “What did you want to talk about?”

“Did you mean what you said?”

“That it’s mildly insulting that this pet store chose a dog-centric name that excludes cat owners?”

“No. The other thing.” I met his eyes, refusing to let him deflect. The objective, quizzical side of Chase slipped for a second, revealing a worried, wounded man.

“I’m going to purchase this before I forget. It’s so small, I could put it in my pocket by accident and get arrested for shoplifting.”

I followed Chase to the register, where the acne-faced kid rang him up.

“Have a barktastic day!” the kid said upon handing over the receipt.

“I’m a cat owner. I will have a meownificent day, but I appreciate the sentiment.”

I gave the confused kid a goodbye head nod and followed Chase onto the sidewalk. We walked in silence. The aloof side of him was shut off. Vibrant thoughts illuminated his face. Oh, how I would love to be inside that head for a day. I was sure it’d get confusing, but it would be quite a ride.

In the middle of downtown was a small park with a gazebo where the annual Christmas tree would be raised in a few months. Kids chased each other while mothers and fathers checked their phones nearby. Chase led us into the empty gazebo away from the hubbub.

“Did you mean what you said? About having strong feelings about us?” I found myself nervous at hearing his answer. Whether he said yes or no, everything was on the verge of changing.

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