We were leaving the day after tomorrow. Thomas kept himself busy, packing away his clothes, toiletries, and double checking to make sure he’d included his phone and laptop charger. Packing was the least of my worries, however.

I was lying on the motel bed, staring at the white-speckled ceiling. There were obvious signs of smoking damage, patches stained a sour yellow-orange. This place really was a dump, but what was I expecting in a small town? I seriously doubted that I’d find a Hilton or Four Seasons anywhere near a place like this.

My back was killing me. I tried rolling onto my side to alleviate some of the pressure, but it didn’t help. I was going to feel like shit regardless of whether or not I took my pain medication.

The fight with Danny was still fresh in my mind, cutting me deeply over and over again. I felt so fucking raw, so utterly mad and unloved and forgotten. The sooner we got out of this backwater town, the better. I just wanted to go home, back to the city, where everybody was too busy to give you a second glance.

When I sighed for what must have been the eighteenth time that hour, Thomas finally gave up. “Dude, grow the fuck up,” he grumbled.

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me. Grow the fuck up.”

I didn’t have a response. I was too busy being angry with Danny to spare him the time.

“So you fell in love with the guy, and he broke your heart. It happens.”

“No,” I grumbled tiredly. “Shit like that doesn’t just happen.”

Thomas sat down on the edge of my bed’s mattress. I rolled to turn away from him. He sighed heavily. “He was your friend, right?”

“My best friend,” I corrected. Even though I hadn’t seen him for years.

“And you love him, right?”

“Yes,” I spat forcefully. “Yes, I fucking love him.”

“So what’s the problem?”

“He doesn’t love me back!” I exclaimed, sitting up rapidly. The muscles in my lower back pulled sharply, but I ignored the pain. I deserved to feel this way.

“Are you sure about that?” questioned Thomas.

“What?”

“Are you sure he doesn’t love you? Did he tell you that directly?”

“Well, no. He said he wasn’t sure.”

“See? It’s not definitive. You don’t know how he feels.”

“I think him storming out of here is pretty indicative of how he feels,” I hissed.

“Look, couples fight,” started Thomas. “Lord knows how many fights I get into with Sarah.”

“But you guys seem so happy,” I argued.

“Yeah, on the outside, but we have our problems just like everybody else.”

“Shit, man, no way.”

“Shit, man, yes way. We’re human beings. I think the problem with the two of you is that you’re a lot better at communicating. Not everybody can just wear their feelings on their sleeves.”

I rolled onto my stomach and pressed my face into the pillow. It smelled like dust and cheap lavender laundry detergent.

“I mean, you said his father’s a massive homophobe, right?” added Thomas.

“Yeah,” I said into my pillow. “And he got kicked out of his home because his ex outed him.”

“See? Can you see why he’d maybe be a little hesitant to admit his feelings to you? If it were me, I’d clam up tight and never trust again.”

“I guess I can see your point.”

“If you really do love him, you shouldn’t give up on him so easily.”

I lifted myself up onto my elbows and looked at Thomas, frowning. “Have you ever considered becoming a couples counselor?” I asked.

“Frequently.”

As much as I hated to admit it, what Thomas was saying made a lot of sense. I couldn’t deny how Danny made me feel. He made me feel alive, made me feel complete.

I yearned for his touch, was eager to see him smile.

I had to think of some way to get him back, to show him how much he meant to me. If only this stupid development project wasn’t standing in the way.

Something in my brain clicked.

My eyes widened in realization. Thomas tilted his head to the side, curious. “Did a lightbulb just go off?” he asked, amused.

I nodded. “I have a proposition for you. And I’m going to need you to agree to it.”

“What?” he asked cautiously.

I smiled, my lips stretching ear to ear as I explained my thinking.