Golden Boys (Golden Boys, #1)(58)

He gets my elbow in his side for that. “Heath knows about you, but I haven’t really talked to the others much about it. I did show them the jean shorts I made, though.”

“Heath is … the fire guy? You’ve told him we’re just friends, right? I don’t want to accidentally put out that fire. This whole thing has my girlfriend pretty concerned, if we’re being honest.”

“Heath isn’t like that,” I say. “And sorry about that. Do you want me to explain to her just how bad I am at sewing? Would that help?”

“It’s not that. She’s just very straight and was raised a little closed-minded.” He throws his head back. “She was always fine dating a guy who was pansexual, but, I don’t know, I think this whole fashion-school thing is making her paranoid. She doesn’t fully get it, I think.”

“That’s rough. I guess it’s hard for some people. I feel like we’ve been pretty lucky back where I grew up, but there was an incident near the end of the school year. Hopefully she’s just a little insecure, and she’ll get it eventually.”

“What kind of incident?” he asks.

“Oh, you know the kind. Name-calling, threats, critique of my fashion choices. Things like that.”

He tilts his head. “Is that why you take everyone’s feedback so personally?”

“What? No, I don’t.” I pause, thinking of my instinctive flinch every time Noelle or Adam makes a cutting remark on my work. They’re not bullies, but he’s got a point: my brain still interprets critique as an attack. “Hmm. I never thought about that.”

“Can’t let people like that win, you know?”

I nod. “Absolutely. And I don’t think he has won. Thanks in part to the constant pep talks you and Heath give me, I’ve been more clearheaded about my critiques lately.”

He stops walking, and I turn to him.

“You’re a good mate,” he says. “It’s nice to finally have a gay friend. I know it makes Emily a little uncomfortable, but she tries, and she’s a good person. But she also needs to know that I need friends like this. Friends who get what it’s like.”

“She’ll get it, eventually.”

As we walk the streets of Paris, I really start to appreciate this new friendship I’ve made. It’s always felt so one-sided—me depending on him to fix my sewing machine every time the thread breaks—but I had no idea all of this was lying under our friendship. And I hope we can keep it once I’m back home.





? Voice Message ?

GABRIEL + SAL

Hey, you’ve missed my last few calls. I know you’re busy, so don’t worry about calling me back. Looks like you’re crushing it at getting donations and saving the world and all that. My internship … well, maybe one day I can talk to you in person about what’s going on. It’s hard to explain, and there are some things about my future that I want to talk about … You know what, we’ll talk about it later. It’s complicated. Love you, Gabe.

Sal! First of all, love you too. It’s so nice to hear your voice. Just got your message, and all your calls. Glad you’re good. Sorry I’ve been so MIA lately. I’ve got so much to catch you up on too. I wish you were here!





CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

SAL

The fireworks have started. I feel them, more than I see them, but every time the bus turns just the right direction, I can see the small pops and fizzles from my window seat. Happy Independence Day, DC.

And, goodbye.

I still feel bad about being the one to confront her about it, since April and Josh wanted to do this whole structured intervention. I might never know why they lied for me, or why they continued working thirty-hour weeks for me, but I owe them so much for letting me get to the obvious realization—that I was being overworked for no damn reason—on my own terms.

I don’t blame Meghan. I don’t blame the senator. They’re so busy and scattered that I really don’t think they realized how much they were overworking us, and Meghan’s face turned fully white when I told her our offer was for twenty hours a week. I wonder if all the offices have that kind of full communication breakdown, but then I remember the frantic energy on the Hill. It must be that way.

But I can say goodbye to that now. I’ve been told to take the rest of the week off, along with April and Josh, while they re-collect. I don’t know if I’m coming back. Who knows if they even want me to, but if they do, I’m not sure I want to go back.

Which is why I’m all packed up and sitting on a bus right now.

GABRIEL

“I wouldn’t have bought you those shirts if I knew you’d catch up to us,” Matt jokes.

Tiffany, Art, Matt, and I are spread out on a blanket in the park, waiting for the fireworks to start. Fourth of July is a huge thing back home, and I feel this nostalgic warmth about sitting with friends, making a picnic, as fireflies dot the dimming sky.

The four of us, unexpectedly, received the most donations for Boston Save the Trees during the month of June. Tiffany and I slightly edged out Matt and Art, but we decided to call it a tie, because Tiffany’s family came up to Boston for a surprise visit last week and dropped a spontaneous donation that pushed us just above them.

But cheating aside, we’ve done really well.