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“I’m sorry. You shouldn’t have helped me.”

“Fuck him.” Dylan laughs, completely unfazed. “I came out to my parents and friends eons ago. Who gives a shit if a peckerwood like Dean thinks outing me is gonna throw me off my game? Little minds can only come up with so much.”

“Still, I feel like I owe you one.”

When Dylan’s face suddenly lights up with mischief, my stomach churns with anxiety.

No. No. Dylan is a good guy. He wouldn’t want what Dean was trying to force on me. Besides, didn’t he just tell me he was gay? Or is he bi? Does it matter?

“Hey.” He laughs, placing his hands on my shoulders. “You’re not my type, so breathe, Morgan. But there is something you can do for me.”

“What?” I ask skeptically.

“How about you throw my best bud a bone or two, huh? I swear, if I have to go another year listening to Milo pine over you, I’m going to blow my brains out.”

“Pining?” I stammer.

“Yeah, pining. I had to look the word up just to name what he’s been doing for years now. I love him like a brother, but dude has got it so bad it’s a bit revolting.” He laughs. “Just be nice to his heart, okay? Maybe let him down gently if you’re not into him. Or if you are, then for all that’s holy, just kiss the idiot already. It’s all he talks about anyway.”

I’m so tongue-tied that I can’t even come up with a good retort.

“Good thing he missed this shitshow. Not sure our boy Milo would have handled this whole situation with Dean as well as I did.”

I shake my head.

“Milo doesn’t have a mean bone in his body. He wouldn’t do anything to Dean.”

“For you? Milo would walk through the fiery pits of hell if it meant keeping you safe. Trust me, this year could’ve been a whole lot worse for you if Milo hadn’t been running interference behind the scenes.”

“I didn’t know that.” I frown.

“Hey, I didn’t tell you that so you could go all sad on me. He just cares about you. Isn’t that what people do when they care about someone? Try to make their lives easier any way they can?”

“It hasn’t been my experience, no,” I reply, my shoulders sagging.

“I think it has. You just haven’t been paying attention.” He gives me a sad smile. “See you around, Morgan. And remember our deal.”

Be nice to Milo’s heart.

How could I possibly forget?

With that thought in my head, I walk out of the cafeteria, towards my locker, thankful that Milo doesn’t share the same lunch hour as I do.

I’m so busy trying to wrap my head around everything Dylan just told me about Milo that I don’t notice what’s directly in my path until I slam straight into it. The impact sends me stumbling forward, and before I can catch myself, I hit the floor, landing on all fours.

“What did I tell you, boys? I knew I’d get her on her knees somehow,” Dean jokes, his tone cruel and unnerving.

Still on my hands and knees, I look up to find Dean standing over me, with Troy and Simon at his sides.

Great. Just what I needed. More harassment. Can’t I ever catch a break?

I start to push myself off the floor, only for Simon to grab my shoulders and shove me back down.

“Not so fast,” Dean tsks. “We still have business to conduct. And after you made me look bad in front of everyone, you’re going to have to put loads of enthusiasm behind it. Make it worth my fucking time for the shit you just pulled.”

“I swear to God, Dean. If you even try something—”

“You’ll what?” He makes a point of looking up and down the deserted hallway before turning his attention back to me. “There’s no one here to save you, Max. This is happening. It’s up to you how uncomfortable it will be.”