How do I fix it? Tell my dad the truth? What is the truth? How did this get so complicated?

Before I can figure out what to do, Brenden takes off running across the green. And I continue to stand here like the world’s biggest asshole.

I stand here, rooted to the spot, slowly realizing that I may have just made the biggest mistake of my life.

May steps in front of me, between me and my dad. She doesn’t say anything, but her face screams of betrayal. It makes me feel like such a piece of shit that if lightning struck me down right now, I would think I deserved it. With a slow shake of her head, she turns and jogs off to catch up with her dad.

Then Elise and Grant are in front of me, looking confused and disappointed at the same time. When they walk away too, the full weight of what happened sinks in.

I ruined everything. I ruined me and Brenden, and I let May’s grandparents know we’ve been lying this whole time, which could ruin his relationship with them. I was supposed to help him, not make things worse.

And my dad. How am I supposed to explain this to him? I have no clue if he believes the crap I said about everything being fake, but I don’t think I have it in me to keep lying to him if he questions me.

I was going to tell him.

I was going to come out to him so I could be with Brenden. But I didn’t expect him to show up like this. I panicked. And now...

This is all too much for me to handle.

Avoiding my dad’s stare, I mumble, “I need to get back to work.” And then I leave, like a coward, tail between my legs.

A few minutes ago, I was thinking about how right everything felt. How things were turning out better for me than I ever expected. But I messed it up so quickly. I should have known I’m not meant for that kind of happiness.

It’s like I always thought. I’m the type of guy who’s meant to be alone.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

BRENDEN

I’m an idiot.

I’m such a pathetic fucking idiot.

I knew better. Knew Travis and I were only faking a relationship. And still, I let myself fall for him, let myself believe he actually had feelings for me too. But shit, can you blame me? He’s so damn hot and wonderful and kind. I guess I already knew all that, but when he showed me his secret soft side... I was a fucking goner.

It truly felt like we were developing a real connection, something deeper than friendship. I didn’t think we were just faking it anymore. But I’m an idiot.