I shake my head. “He’s fine, Brian. I just don’t want him to get jealous.”

“I know. Just be careful, okay? Some guys don’t act the same once they’re jealous.”

And I know what he’s trying to tell me, but something like that couldn’t apply to Drew . . . at least, I don’t think it could.

I try to call him once I’m finished rolling the last egg roll, but he doesn’t answer his phone. I end up getting a ride out to his place, knocking on the door, and waiting patiently for someone to finally open it.

The door swings open, and an older white man with narrowed eyes looks back at me. “We don’t take solicitors here.”

“I’m here to see Drew,” I say.

He gives me this look like he’s about ready to punt me off his doorstep before walking back into the house and closing the door. I’m about to turn around and leave when the door opens again, this time Drew peeking his head out. “Noah? What are you doing here?”

“Brian told me you came by, so I thought I’d return the favor. Did you wanna talk?”

He steps out onto the porch and closes the door behind him. “Yeah, I do, but I don’t really wanna do it here.”

“Because of your parents?”

He nods. “Let’s just—do you wanna take a walk?”

I nod even though Drew lives in a totally suburban neighborhood, and it seems kinda sketchy for us to just take a walk down these residential streets. The neighbors are probably used to him being around, though, so hopefully no one will try to shoot us.

Drew’s house is the third from the end of the street, but we reach the stop sign before he starts talking.

“I’m sorry about Saturday,” he says.

“Can’t imagine why.”

He smiles. “I didn’t mean to drink that much, and then I just kind of got caught up in everything, and I’m sorry you didn’t get to go to your friend’s party.”

There’s something about the way he phrases it that kind of rubs me wrong. “Didn’t get to go” as if I got lost and just didn’t make it as opposed to him actively telling me I could only go if I wanted to break up.

“Forget it,” I say.

“Wait.” He takes my hand, turning me to face him. “I love you, Noah. I wanna make it up to you.”

My heart skips a beat. I knew he loved me when we hit the Fall—I mean, that’s the whole point of that step, really—but it’s still nice to hear him say it. It clears my head, reminding me of the importance of what we’ve built between us. “Oh? How?”