Hmm… maybe I didn’t know what the Grand Canyon looked like.

“It was a fun trip. They call it the Grand Canyon of the east.”

Oh, thank God.

Jake came over, grabbing the photo off the ledge. “This was two weeks before we broke up, actually.”

“At least you—wait, what? Broke up? You two aren’t together anymore?”

He nodded, smiling. “That’s usually what happens in a breakup.”

I slant my mouth, arched a brow. The shock was still filtering through me. “What happened? If you don’t mind me asking.”

“I don’t mind at all,” he said, placing the photo back in its place. “Ashley came out to me. Realized that she was a lesbian, which made our relationship just a little complicated.”

“Just a little,” I echoed, chuckling, still in a slight haze of disbelief.

“We’re really good friends, though. Thankfully. I love that girl to death. I helped usher her into the queerdom, so I think that means we’re friends for life.”

Hold up. Did I hear that right? What the hell was Jake doing ushering anyone through the pearlescent rainbow gates if he was a straight dude…

Unless.

Fuck. I’m such an idiot.

“I’m bi, by the way. In case you hadn’t figured it out yet.”

I winced.

“Damn, you’re that upset?” he asked, sounding slightly hurt.

“What? No, no! Oh crap, no. It’s just—well, I feel like such an asshole. I had assumed you were straight, but I should know better than to assume anyone’s sexuality.” I didn’t have to look into a mirror to know my cheeks were firehouse red, burning with embarrassment.

Jake chuckled. “Listen, it’s fine. I get it. It happens to me all the time. Especially when I’m dating a girl. It’s hard for people to see all sides of a situation.”

“And that’s exactly why it’s not fine. I don’t think bi-erasure is appropriate in any scenario, and yet here I was holding a big-ass eraser. I’m sorry.”

“I appreciate the apology, Noah, but I don’t need it. You weren’t the one that created the heteronormative blueprint we all function under—consciously or subconsciously. I’ve lived it. I’ve been told I must be gay when I’m seen dating a guy or that I have to be straight when I’m holding a girl’s hand. It’s rare for someone to see past the binary, even after I come out.

“But I definitely see past it. I know who I am, I’m confident in who I am, and I’m glad I get to fuck whoever I want. So at the end of the day, I guess I’m the one that’s winning.”