CHAPTER 11 #3
“I could go up to Johnny right now and ask him if he’s into dudes. I’d do that for you if you wanted me to. I’m the perfect one to do it because I’m leaving tomorrow, so it’s no skin off my back if he reacts badly. Your problem is that you never want to let anyone else handle anything.”
“What if he said no? Even worse, what if he freaked out and said some homophobic shit? He’s the only real friend I’ve made since moving here. I don’t want to start over with nothing.”
“If he freaks out and says some homophobic shit, then he’s not worth your time anyway.”
Victor had no response to that. He just knew he couldn’t let Skyler ask. He was too terrified of the answer, because it’d almost certainly be one he didn’t like.
“You’re in love with him,” Skyler said matter-of-factly. “Your face says more than you think it does.”
“You are not as observant as you think you are.”
“Between the two of us, you were always the more boy-crazy one. I was there when you crushed on Gabriel Estrada at thirteen. I know the look.”
God, he’d never live that one down. Gabriel had been a twenty-two-year-old stable hand his mother had hired for part-time work, and Victor used to watch him from inside of a horse stall and daydream about kissing him.
Nevermind that Victor had been a scrawny thirteen-year-old who went mute with terror every time Gabriel said hello.
Thankfully he never knew he had a pre-teen fan, and he left for college the next year.
“I don’t blame you for liking him,” Skyler continued. “He’s very charming, and you’ve always liked boys on the country side.”
Victor rubbed at the pavement with the sole of his boot. “We’re just friends.”
“I’ve never met anyone so dedicated to their own unhappiness as you are. You could have a shot if you were willing to take it. He seems to like you.”
“I wish I were brave like you.”
“Ha.” Skyler sank back against the truck beside him, her arm rubbing against his. “I’m hardly any braver.” She stared at his profile a few seconds before sighing. “If I were brave, I would have told you that I had a crush on you for like two years.”
Victor whipped around to face her. “What?”
“Right after you cancelled the wedding, I spent a few years in Ireland, remember? When I came back, I barely recognized you. You were, like, a whole ass man. It felt awkward at the time. You were my best friend but also this strange new person. I remember you were at my place and I was struggling to open this can of pickles and you came over and popped it right open like it was nothing. That was when I was like whoa.”
“The true measure of a man is how well he can open a jar of pickles,” Victor joked.
Skyler chuckled, staring at her feet. “I knew you were only interested in men, so I didn’t see any point in bringing it up. It’d only make things awkward. But the crush was real, at least until I went back to Ireland and met Liam.”
Victor hadn’t noticed anything out of the ordinary in their relationship back then. Then again, he wasn’t very good at noticing these things.
“You never suspected?” Skyler asked.
“No.”
“You’re kind of an idiot.”
Victor nodded, mouth dry. “Yeah, I guess.”
“That’s why I think asking Johnny about this is worth a try. I can’t say if he likes you as a friend or more, but I do know that he likes you, which isn’t nothing. You can’t just pretend you don’t have needs for the rest of your life. Have you even had sex since leaving California?”
“That’s none of your business.”
“Really? You’re speaking to the girl you borrowed tampons from throughout high school. I know your business pretty well.”
“No, I haven’t had sex. It’s not a big deal.”
“It is a big deal.”
“I could get it if I wanted. I’d have to drive down to Tulsa. I just happen to be discerning.”
“Right. But—”
“There’s Johnny,” Victor said as he noticed a tall figure dressed in black heading their way.
Skyler waved, and when Johnny was within hearing distance, she said, “Hello there, pardner.”
“What’s goin’ on out here, some kinda tailgaitin’?” he asked with a slight slur. He’d drank more than them both, but he was clearly coherent enough to walk straight.
“I needed some air and Skyler found me out here,” Victor replied.
“Woulda been nice to know, cuz I been lookin’ everywhere.”
“Sorry about that. I didn’t mean to make anyone worry.”
“You ain’t sick or nothin’, are ya?”
“No, I feel fine. Just sweat through my nice shirt.” Victor lifted an arm and tugged at the fabric. “Too hot in there.”
“You wanna do any more dancin’ or you think you’re done for the night?”
Victor hated to be the party pooper, so he pushed off his truck. “I’m down with a little more, if you want.”
“Alright then.” Johnny placed a hand on his hip and offered the crook of his arm to Skyler. “Ma’am.”
Skyler laughed and took his arm, but not before giving Victor a meaningful look, as if saying sorry. Victor offered a fragile smile in return. He didn’t want to ruin anyone’s fun, and he knew Skyler’s intentions were pure. It hurt to see, but that was no one’s problem but his own.