A part of me wants to help Joe, but a bigger part of me is scared of what it would mean.

I flip over the Post-it Note and notice that Joe scribbled his phone number on the back of it. Once again, he anticipated my reaction. I type him a message.

Ever: What would it look like? Us helping each other.

His response is immediate.

Joe: I don’t know yet.

Ever: It’s going to hurt.

Joe: We’re no strangers to pain.

I’m lying on the cold floor, staring up at the screen. This feels wrong. Like cheating. But also right. Like maybe Joe is the one I’ve been cheating on. I’m just so confused.

Ever: It’s not fair. I thought I’d never meet you again. I couldn’t have known you’re so close by.

A few seconds pass before he answers.

Joe: Why are you here, Ever? In my state. In my territory.

Ever: I don’t know.

Joe: What do you know?

Ever: That I don’t want you to be with Presley.

He types, then deletes. Types, then deletes. My heart is in my throat.

Joe: I don’t want to be with Presley, either.

Ever: We should delete this conversation.

Joe: You can do whatever you want. I’ve got nothing to hide.

I notice he doesn’t tell me he doesn’t want me to be with Dom.

Ever: How can you say that, when you were the one who told me not to tell Dom?

Joe: This is not hiding. It’s omitting. I’ll own up to it if he finds out.

Joe: Look, I love my brother. But that doesn’t mean I can’t have you. He can have your outside. I can have your inside.

Ever: Do you think that’d be enough for him?

Joe: I think he doesn’t get you, so it’s not going to matter to him, no.

Ever: And you do?

Joe: You know I do.

I close my eyes, taking a breath. I do. I do, I do, I do.

Ever: And what would I be left with? If he takes my body and you take my . . . everything else?

Joe: Simple. You’ll get both of us.

Joe: It’s all you want in the first place, isn’t it? Both brothers.

He’s hit too close to home, and he knows it. Dom is the smart choice. The safe choice. He is also, at present, my only choice. Joe . . . he is not even up for offer. Even if he were, it would be too messy, too painful . . .

Ever: Dom gets all. You get hang-outs. Last offer.