“I’m glad you didn’t,” Nick said, his voice rough.

“Just because I’m out doesn’t mean I don’t care, Nick.”

Nick. It was the first time he’d heard Adam say his name, and it sounded like an accusation.

“I know that,” he said tightly.

“If you’re not ready for this,” Adam continued, his voice gaining momentum from anger, “I get it. Trust me, I get it. If you want to walk away, it’s fine. But don’t string me along while you—”

“Jesus,” Nick snapped. “I’m not.” He rounded on Adam, reaching to grab his arm, to stop him, to confront him.

But Adam was suddenly five feet away, his back to the darkened building, his shoulders tight, his hands curled into fists. Breath left his mouth in quickened bursts.

Nick held still for a moment. Then he closed the distance between them, stopping when he sensed Adam was going to back away again—or fight. His fists were up now, his expression resolved.

Nick kept his own hands low. “Did you think I was going to hit you?” he said carefully. “I wasn’t. I wouldn’t.”

Adam studied him. His expression reminded Nick of last night, when Adam had almost flinched from his touch. Then the fear faded, quickly replaced by something closer to embarrassment. He turned and started walking again.

“Whoa.” Nick caught his arm and hauled him to a stop.

Adam stopped, his eyes locked straight ahead. His arm was tense under Nick’s hand.

Nick moved closer and dropped his voice. “I’m not trying to string you along,” he said quietly. “I thought about leaving, but I wasn’t going to. I couldn’t stop thinking about you all day.”

Adam turned his head to meet his eyes, and Nick felt his cheeks go warm.

“All day?” said Adam.

“I failed a physics test because of it.”

A shadow of that easy confidence sneaked back into Adam’s voice. “I blew a chem lab tonight because of you.”

Nick’s eyes widened. “A chem lab?”

“Yeah. I had class. I told you.”

“I thought you meant dance.”

“I wish. I suck at chemistry.”

Nick loosened his grip on Adam’s arm, but he didn’t let go. “I’m great at chemistry.”

Adam’s eyes flicked to his lips. “I bet.”

Nick hesitated, not wanting to damage the mood, which felt precariously balanced between flirtation and forgiveness. But it also felt like a big old heap of evasion. “Can we talk about what just happened?”

Adam pulled away and started walking. Nick fell into step beside him, expecting Adam to need to walk to talk. But then his companion remained silent.