Page 46 of The Grumpy Vet
"It does," Ryde agrees. "Thank you."
I shrug, feeling awkward because it's not like I'm doing anything special.
"Okay," Linus continues. "We'll circle back to that later because it's something we're going to need to get into in more depth."
Wow. Linus actually does have an agenda. I don't know whether to be impressed or low-key terrified.
"Next item is something awkward and embarrassing. For me. But there's something I need to tell you, Ryde."
"O-kay." Ryde takes a long pull of his beer, like he might need it for whatever Linus is about to say.
Turns out, he does.
Linus proceeds to fill us in on the crush he had on Oakey way back in the old days. He was right. It is awkward and embarrassing, and his face reflects that with a pink hue filling his cheeks above his stubble and the muscle in his jaw pulsing visibly.
"I wasn't going to tell you, but after hiding shit from your dad this past week and hating how that felt, this is how I want to operate from now on. No more secrets. Everything out in the open." He tries to stifle a groan. "No matter how mortifying."
That brings a small smile to Ryde's lips. "Have to admit, it is slightly cringe, you crushing on my dad, but thank you for telling me. I think?"
Linus lifts an eyebrow, and it almost looks like he's silently trying to get something else out of Ryde. A moment later, Ryde turns to me. "Looks like it's my turn."
His turn for what?
"What's going on?" I ask.
Ryde takes another gulp of beer then says, "Dad said something to me before he left."
"Okay."
"About you."
"Oh."
He takes a deep breath. "He said he thinks you're in love with me."
It's like I've been kicked in the chest by a pissed-off mama kangaroo. "H-h-he said what?"
Ryde's eyes plead with me to not have to repeat himself, and I give a small nod, dragging my fingers through my hair as I try to catch my breath. Thinking's a little hard right now that my world has been tilted off its axis.
This is the biggest secret—really, the only secret—I've ever kept from my best friend, and now, somehow, his father of all people has laid it out bare in the open.
Ryde's eyes are scanning my face, trying to read my reaction, while Linus's expression is soft and neutral. Almost like he knows. I release a long breath, and as unexpected as this bombshell is, I feel safe with these two. So I guess the only thing for me to do is be honest.
"Your dad's right," I say, finding my voice even though my throat is still tight, and I'm still on guard. "I do have feelings for you. Very strong feelings."
"Love feelings?" Linus gently prods, and I bob my head.
"Yeah. Love feelings. It's part of the reason why I came out here."
Ryde furrows his brow. "I thought you came out here to get a killer revenge bod and spend time with me."
"You're right on both counts, but the plan was that by spending time with you, it'd help me get over you."
"Huh? I don't get it."
"You were meant to be a shitty housemate. A slob. Someone who doesn't scrub the toilet after taking a massive dump. Or leaves their clipped toenails on the coffee table. I don't know…" I run my fingers through my hair again, tugging at the ends. "I was hoping to falloutof love with you."
"You really do make the worst plans," Ryde says with the tiniest hint of a smile.
