Page 106 of Silent Damage

My hands gently grip the undercarriage, pulling me deeper under the car to assess the extent of the damage.

This car is fucked.

We’re going to need to replace the whole ex—

“Alright. I want details,” Felix yells, ringing the bell on his bike as he returns from work.

There’s a moment of silence before he adds, “I’m talking to you, Gabe.”

Huh?

Torren’s heavy boots pad along the floor, approaching the back of the car I’m currently under.

“How bad is it?” He asks.

I slide the creeper to peek my head out and give him a thumbs-down. “Alright. I’ll let them know we need to replace the whole thing.”

Felix flutters to the back of the car and kneels next to me. “I want the scoop.”

I look at Torren with a confused expression, and he rubs his neck sheepishly. “Uh…I might have told Felix about your stepbrother.”

I blink, waiting for my brain to catch up with what I just heard.

“You know, Gabe,” Felix sings, “I told Torren that I thought you had a thing for guys, and he said he’d bet fifty dollars I was wrong.” He waggles his brows as he hands me a pad and pencil.

I sigh, knowing it’s better to be honest, rather than coy with someone like Felix.

I like boys, I scribble down.

Felix bounces on his knees, clapping his hands. “Gabe! I’m so happy for you!”

Torren rolls his eyes. “He’s into dudes, Felix; he didn’t win a prize or something.”

“Shut up, Torren!” Felix whips his gaze back to me and asks, “You’re his stepbrother?”

Ugh, that word. It sounds gross. Like incest or something, when that’s not the case. I quickly write: Wasn’t always my stepbrother!

“No judgment,” Felix assures me, waving his hands. “I think it’s hot.”

Torren pinches the bridge of his nose and groans. “Felix, you’re making him uncomfortable.”

“Am I?” he asks. “That’s not my intention at all! I’m just excited for you. I want you to be happy.”

I know my cheeks are a deep shade of red. I try to suppress my smile, but I can’t.

“Aww!” Felix lowers himself to my level and kisses my cheek. “This is so sweet!”

Torren sits next to him. “I don’t know if I’d use ‘sweet.’ You should meet this Jason guy—he’s fucking wild.”

“Oh, I must meet him,” Felix gushes. “Let’s all go get drinks at the Kitty Cat Club!”

We’re just friends, I scribble down as Jason’s words play on a loop in my mind, making my stomach clench.

Felix waves his hand. “Okay, fine, I still want to meet this friend whose dick you’re sucking!”

I am beyond embarrassed right now.

I scrub my hands over my face when Torren cocks his head to the side and says, “You know, it’s not a bad plan to take Jason to the Kitty Cat Club. Most of the guys will be there on Friday. It might help him politically if he shows up with me.”