The way my mouth is rebelling against me should be illegal. We are friends. I like Perry. I hate that I’m making him look so pathetically needy when he’s one of the sweetest men I’ve ever met, but I need to protect myself too. Being sweet doesn’t give him the right to be ignorant. Still, I can’t stop myself from throwing him a bone. From guiding him to the answer that I know he’ll never come to on his own.

“We were,” I admit. “But for the future: being friends with a queer man doesn’t give you the excuse to use him.” This time, I really do walk away, and because I’m maybe even a little hurt, I can’t stop from throwing back over my shoulder, “Especially when you’re obviously in love with someone else.”

I escape inside the cabin before Perry can respond. Yes, I’m a coward, thank you, but I’m also not in a place where I can hear him talk about Arlie and how perfect she is. Or accept an apology after pointing out why I’m not so ready to be besties with him right now.

With a huge exhale, I flop back onto the ratty sofa, knowing there’s no way in hell I’d normally be this annoyed. Between having my life threatened, my brother missing, and the general comfort of my life turned on its head, I’m a teensy bit taking it out on Perry. Yes, it’s a valid reason, and normally I’d make a joke to brush it off, then never see him again, but for right now, there’s no escaping him, and everything else feels too raw.

I need some sleep. And a shower. Maybe after those two things, I’ll be able to think more clearly. There’s no way my annoyance with Perry will be able to resist his overenthusiastic energy for long. I’m doomed before I’ve even gotten started.

Couldn’t I have been almost shot by an asshole instead?

The front door shoves open, and I glance over to see Perry standing there, hand on the door, dumbstruck look on his face.

“I’m not in love with Arlie!”

Slowly, I straighten, eying what looks like shock and maybe offense radiating from him. “You said it.”

“Yeah, but, I mean … it’s a joke. Like she’s gorgeous and scary and good at what she does, obviously⁠—”

“You’re not making the point you think you’re making.”