“And what if ‘the worst that could happen’ is worse than that?” I ask, because I have to, because this isn’t exactly a town where people fly rainbow flags and vote in a blue wave.

“I don’t know. I’ve never known. But I know I can get through shit better with him than without him.”

“Dude. That is the most effing romantic thing I’ve ever heard.” I hold out my arm. “Chills, a little.”

“Oh, shut up,” he says, but he laughs. Then he grows serious. “Listen, though. Are you okay with this?”

“Am I okay?” I lean back in my chair and finally take my first sip of the drink. Mmm, caramel macchiato. Which will probably keep me up half the night, but whatever, it’s worth it. “I mean, I’m not gonna lie—I’m nervous for you. But if you feel this is what you want, of course I support you.”

He coughs into his fist. “No, um. I mean, if I bring him to homecoming…”

That’s when it finally hits me—why he’s brought me here and why he’s paying for my drink and what he’s trying to say. “Oh. If you bring him to homecoming, everyone knows our relationship has been a sham.”

“I mean, I guess we can say you had no idea.…”

“But then everyone will think you’re an asshole,” I fill in, “and I’m not exactly gonna look like the brightest bulb in the chandelier.”

“Unless maybe … you wanna take Jack?”

His voice is so hopeful, and for the briefest of moments, I consider it—the ultimate in solidarity. The four of us riding there together. A night dancing with the person I actually wanna have my arms around.

But just as quickly, I push the idea out of my head. “I can’t. I know you’re burned out on the team, but I still need the squad. I need a shot at becoming captain. I can’t destroy that by coming out, and definitely not by coming out with Jack Walsh on my arm.” I hate asking him to do this, but we had a deal, and if I didn’t break it when I got my first girlfriend, he shouldn’t be able to break it now. “We can have Jack bring Malcolm. He’ll still be there. But I can’t come out. And I definitely can’t force Jack out. This is a chain reaction, Migs, and on, like, five seconds’ notice. I’m sorry, but I can’t just…”

“Yeah, yeah, I get it.” He’s trying to hide the sourness in his voice, and he’s failing. “Fine. Maybe Jack will bring him. Then at least we get to be in the same room. Though that’ll probably make it even harder for me to talk to him.”