“Why would I want to change where I sleep?” Hunter looked at him like he was nuts.

“Aren’t you bothered?”

Hunter rubbed at his jaw and gave a short laugh. He was blushing. “Okay, I’m not going to lie. That totally wasn’t what I expected to find when I hit the light switch. But I’m just—I’m surprised. I had no idea. But I’m not upset about it.”

Nick studied him. He wasn’t sure what to say.

Hunter studied him back. “For what it’s worth, I think you should tell your brothers. Gabriel thinks Quinn is jerking you around. I had to talk him out of going off on her today.”

Nick made a disgusted noise. “That would’ve been spectacular.”

“He’s worried about you.”

“Yeah, okay.” He paused and picked up his coffee mug, taking a sip so he didn’t have to say anything else. Hunter sat there quietly and didn’t say anything, either.

But it was nice, Nick realized, to sit with someone who knew yet wasn’t openly judging him.

Adam hadn’t judged him, either. Nick felt fresh tears come to his eyes, and he tried to pinch them away.

“Did you guys have a fight?” said Hunter. “You and Adam?” He hesitated, and sounded embarrassed again. “I heard a little, when you came down the stairs.”

Nick nodded. “When you walked in—I panicked. I didn’t exactly take it well.”

“Man, I am so sorry.”

“No, it’s not your fault. It was mine. He left.” He swiped at his eyes again. “Jesus, I wish I could stop fucking crying. So gay, right?”

Hunter put a hand on his shoulder. “Don’t do that to yourself, Nick.”

Nick froze. Until Hunter touched him, he hadn’t realized how much he’d expected this revelation to bring about nothing but revulsion.

In a flash, a memory came to him. He was standing at the stove with his mother, learning how to make macaroni and cheese. He had to be eleven or so. She’d put an arm around him and kissed him on the top of the head.

He’d leaned into the contact, and she’d said, “You’re the only one who still lets me do that. My gentle boy.”

He’d let her do it still, if he could. He missed her touch more than anything.

She wouldn’t have judged him. He knew. He could have told her.

He rubbed his hands down his face before his eyes could get ready for a fresh round.

“Are you going to tell Gabriel?” he asked.

“No,” said Hunter. His voice changed and he looked over. “Do you want me to?”

Well, that was a loaded question.

Nick finally shook his head. “No. You’d seriously keep it a secret?” he said skeptically. “He’s your best friend.”