I woke up the next day determined to tell Chase how I felt. Our vacation was going to be over soon, so it was literally now or never.

Rejection was surely going to be something that I’d have to deal with at some point, so I might as well start with someone I didn’t have to see again.

I sat on the edge of the bed and asked Duncan how he’d known when to make a move. Once again, he surprised me by giving some very solid advice instead of telling me to fuck off.

“I could never get a hard-on for a guy, so it’s difficult for me to do the math. Your approach will definitely need to be different than mine.”

“Ok,” I said dubiously.

Duncan had always been rough around the edges but I now honestly believed he was trying to help me, so I let him speak.

“You’re my dipshit brother but I suppose you can be considered an attractive dude. You shouldn’t have any trouble convincing someone to...” he said, pushing his tongue against the inside of his cheek.

“Thanks, I think,” I said, starting to laugh.

“What?” he asked, suddenly serious.

“Nothing, it’s just I still can’t believe that I’m having this conversation with you,” I said.

I’d be over the moon with just a Chase kiss but Duncan didn’t need to know that. Arguably, he was the expert; he’d achieved his personal goal in under four days.

“What I’m trying to say is that you shouldn’t worry whether this guy likes you until you know if he likes dudes in general.”

“Duh!” I cried in disappointment.

Had I really expected Duncan to give me some secret formula?

“I’m not done yet,” he said, holding up a finger like his mom would. “The only way you’re going to find out is by subtly letting him know that YOU like dudes.”

Ok, I was listening again.

“Use your book,” he said offhandedly. “If he immediately recognizes it, you most probably have your answer. If not, let him read the back cover thingy and see how he reacts.”

I blinked at Duncan in awe, as if he were a gay whisperer. I had no idea how I would feel if it all ended badly but at least I had a way forward.

He did not expect me to grab him in a hug.

“Thank you, Duncan,” I said in all sincerity.

“You’re welcome!” he replied. “Now fuck off and get yourself some summer action.”

I wanted to show Chase my book but constantly chickened out. What if someone else saw it, what if my parents did? I wasn’t ready for that, despite my positive experience with my stepbrother.

I tried to come up with other subtle ways to drop a hint but they all just seemed dumb, and contrived. I wish I had the ability to be recklessly flirty with the risk of making an absolute fool of myself but I just... simply... couldn’t.

At least, Chase admitted that he’d enjoyed my company last night. At the end of the day, he even invited me for burgers and milkshakes. His favorite diner had a view of the beach and I idly watched the sunset from our secluded corner in the back.

Chase flipped through a menu before suddenly dropping it and asking, “Tanner, do you like me?”

“What?!” I demanded, immediately starting to panic. “Why are you asking me that?”

“Your brother approached me during my afternoon break and just... told me.”

“Are you serious?! I’m gonna fucking kill him!”

“So it’s true?” he asked.

I really was going to kill Duncan but that wouldn’t change my current predicament.

“Yes,” I breathed.

I wanted to close my eyes and wait for him to say something, instead, our server arrived with our orders. Chase calmly squirted ketchup onto his plate but stayed quiet.

“You can just tell me that you’re not interested,” I said, shaking. I’d never felt this exposed, this vulnerable.

He motioned for me to lean forward as if he was going to whisper his rejection. Instead, he gave me a quick kiss on the lips.

“I’ve been trying to flirt with you since the moment I saw you smile,” he said, grinning at me.

It felt like someone turned on a tap and let all the joy in the world flow into me. I always feared that who I was would one day be used to hurt me. Yet, here I sat, my fingertips pressed to my freshly kissed lips.

“I was about to give up when your brother intervened on your behalf.”

Maybe, I shouldn’t kill Duncan after all.

“Chase,” I said, still riding my wave of euphoria.

“Yes.”

I looked over my shoulder to see if anyone was looking and said, “Shut up and kiss me again.”

I definitely didn’t need to tell him twice.