Page 146 of I Think They Love You

Denz doesn’t argue.

“You want to know why I kept your sweatshirt?”

Denz’s eyes squeeze shut.No. He wants to know why Braylon can’t—won’tstay.

“Sure,” he says, exhaling.

“I was moving to a strange, new place. No bloody fucking clue what I was doing and…” Braylon sighs. “The last time that happened was in Athens. Then I met you. Ihadyou. I was safe.”

His fingers tighten on Denz’s hip. “I kept it as a reminder that I’d be okay. Amazing how one silly sweatshirt can do that, innit?”

Denz sniffles. “I guess so.”

A warm hand cups his cheek until Denz’s eyes flutter open.

“I’m terrified to let people in my life,” Braylon admits softly. “I always lose the ones I love. My mom. My dad.” He inhales.“You.”

Denz forces himself to look away.

“I’m a bloody mess,” Braylon acknowledges, another laugh in his voice. “But I don’t want to pretend to be someone good enough for your family. For you. I love who I am.”

“I do t—”

“I’m better thangood enough,” Braylon interrupts. “You are too.”

Tears bite at Denz’s eyes.

“I’m really not.”

Braylon leans down to press their foreheads together. “It kills me how wrong you are about yourself, Denzel Carter.” His minty breath dances over Denz’s face. “And you’re wrong about one more thing—this isn’t my home.”

Denz stares into Braylon’s sad brown eyes, unblinking.

“When I look at this city, all I see is my parents’ grave,” Braylon whispers. “The end of my first real relationship. Home isn’t a place that constantly rips your heart out. Where you can’t sleep at night. Where everything reminds you of how fucking terrible this world is.”

They glide around laughing couples, tipsy guests, everyone oblivious to how bad Denz aches.

“Home is where youwantto be,” Braylon says.

“So, build a home here,” Denz requests. He doesn’t add thewith me.

Braylon can do anything. Be with anyone. All Denz wants is for him to know he belongs.

“I’m still looking for my home,” Braylon confesses. “My place.”

The voice in Denz’s head is shouting for him to say something,anything. But he can’t. So, he’s quiet.

“As stubborn as you are—” Braylon strokes Denz’s jaw. “—I think you’re looking for your home too. Your place.”

“It’s here.”

“Of course it is.” Braylon doesn’t hide his disappointment.

Everything is threatening to spill out of Denz. His tears, hurt, remorse. He holds it together. He memorizes the fingers tracing his ear. The scent of oranges and cardamom.

This version of Braylon. The one he’s no longer annoyed by. The one he might just be in love with.

“Promise me you’ll never forget that Denzel Kevin Carter is pretty fucking amazing.” He kisses Denz’s temple. “I won’t.”

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