Page 78 of Small Sacrifices

"But I haven't been inappropriate. I won't be inappropriate." As far as he knows, anyway. These definitions can vary from person to person. He definitely wants to do things that would be inappropriate in certain circumstances. But that will have absolutely nothing to do with his workplace.

"I don't think your word will count for much if someone likethe goddamn governorsays you've been harassing his son."

Oh. Is that even an option? Wouldn't Everett need to cooperate for anyone to believe that? Reid isn't usually sure about much, but he's sure that Everett wouldn't do that. He's trying to go under the radar to protect his sibling, not attempting to get back in his father's good graces. Those are two very different things, aren't they?

"He won't find out."

"Reid..."

"No." His hand clenches around his phone where it's laying in his lap. "I'm not having this discussion right now. Can't you just be happy for me, please?"

Briana's sigh sounds pained. "Iamhappy for you. I can just see so many ways that this could go wrong."

"And we're not going to talk about those right now."

He's relieved when she agrees, but that only lasts until she asks if he wants their parents to know. Which... since he doesn't believe they would cut him off for this, he doesn't care much. What's one more thing about him that they might not understand? Still, this might make things harder. It's already difficult enough to visit home two to three times a year.

"Do you think they'd care?" he asks.

"No." The answer is immediate and firm. "They went to drag brunch last week, did you hear? Mom found out that drag kings exist and now she won't shut up about it. It's great."

That's... unexpected. And a bit unsound, as far as logic goes. But sure. He trusts her.

"Then I don't care if they find out. But I won't tell them. I don't really have the energy to talk to them right now."

After that, Briana finally changes the subject. By the time they hang up, Reid's stress about her opinions has dissipated.

The stress about both Marisol's situation and the forged assessment stays. And then, early on Sunday morning, he gets a text message from Everett.

im so sorry but i wont be able to be there this afternoon.

my father is the best.

hes been talking about this goddamn golf tournament for WEEKS and he completely forgot to inform me that I was supposed to go.

and im not talking "please come Everett it would mean so much for me if u were there" no. im talking "I put ur name down on the invitation to make sure that as many of these rich bastards as possible bring their daughters and u WILL be expected to flirt in return for donations"

im not allowed to choose who I wanna date but he gets to whore me out. fucking fantastic.

Oh. Unbidden, Reid's gaze falls onto the small mound of snacks he's piled up next to his small TV. Is he going to have to eat those alone?

He immediately feels stupid. There are many things about this that are more important than a few snacks. Chief among them the fact that he already misses Everett. He'd been looking forward to seeing him again, not only because it would mean being in his presence but also hoping it would quiet his mind a bit.

I'm sorry, that sucks. Maybe we can meet on Monday after work? Chances are, I'll need someone to vent to. And then you can tell me all about golfing.

Do you even like golfing? If it's not associated with politically motivated flirting, that is?

There, that's good, right? He's not even mentioning his father. That feels like the safest choice.

fuck golfing. do u kno how much water gets wasted to keep those lawns green?

They agree to meet at Reid's car again, which makes a little thrill shoot through Reid's body at the memory. It's wild, to know with some amount of certainty, that they'll be kissing again.

This is what people were telling him when they were saying he didn't know what he was missing, Reid realizes. He always thought they were just being patronizing. And maybe they were, a bit. But they were also right. He really didn't know. There's something about feeling like there's a current of electricity running through his body that makes him consider all sorts of stupid things. Like telling Everett to come over anyway.

Of course he doesn't do that. Instead, he spends the day sporadically texting Everett whenever he has a moment to breathe. The edge of bitterness to Everett's flippant words makes him thankful to be there for him, even just from afar. He sounds so resigned to everything, so lonely. That only changes when he talks about getting home to Max to have a movie night. The mood of the day, Everett has decided, calls for Studio Ghibli. Reid immediately looks up what that is.

At some point, the golf portion of the event is done. They exchange a few more text messages after that, but it's clear that Everett's pretty much out of energy—and there's still a steak dinner to get through.

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