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Okay.

It’s only one word, two syllables. But the way he says it sticks in Skyler’s mind long after Trevor has left and Skyler’s tucked himself into bed.

Okay.

It’s not,I want to stay forever.

But it’s a start.

Chapter Seven

Before

TREVOR

LIVING IN THE HOUSEwith the other guys was pretty fun. Trevor knew they should enjoy their free time while it lasted, because once they released their first single, they’d be doing a promo tour for it, and once the album came out, they’d be doing even more.

Tonight, Skyler hadn’t wanted to play video games with the others, so he and Trevor were in Trevor’s room scrolling through Netflix for something to watch. Trevor had vetoed Skyler’s romcom suggestions, and Skyler whined when Trevor suggested a horror movie.

“I always get scared during horror movies.” Skyler gave a tiny pout for emphasis.

“That’s kind of the point,” Trevor told him.

Skyler grabbed the remote out of his hand and continued scrolling. “We should watch a musical!”

“I think I’d rather watch a romcom.”

“Oh, come on. You’re a singer! How do you not like musicals?”

Trevor shrugged. “It’s so unrealistic, people randomly breaking out into song and dance in the middle of the street.”

“Yes, because the burnt-faced knife-fingers guy who kills people in their dreams is totally real.”

He laughed, and when Skyler turned the full force of his pout on him, jutting out his bottom lip and wavering it, he felt himself relenting. “Fine, wecan watch one. But you better pick the best damn musical ever if you hope to convert me.”

Skyler stared at him a moment, eyes a tad too wide, and Trevor mentally kicked himself for the word choice, because… Well, of course, it didn’t work that way. But he knew Skyler was gay. And when he’d found out, he’d told Skyler he’d never been with a guy, and left it at that.

He hadn’t told Skyler that he wanted to. That he wanted to with him.

Skyler cleared his throat and recovered quickly. “Don’t worry, I know exactly the one!”

He choseRentand Trevor wasn’t prepared for the way Skyler sang along dramatically to every song, loud enough that Noah yelled from downstairs for him to shut up. Wasn’t prepared for how adorable Skyler looked when he jumped from the bed and began bouncing around the room as he sang. Certainly wasn’t prepared for the warm feelings that stirred inside him as he watched this boy, for the way they grew in intensity until they became a burning hot desire that had him clenching his hands into fists so that he didn’t leap up and reach for him.

Trevor certainly didn’t expect to end up crying by the end of the movie, but honestly, it was almost a relief to have been distracted out of his other more complicated emotions. “That was…”

“Amazing?” Skyler prompted, beside him on the bed again and getting up on his knees to face him.

“I wouldn’t go that far.”

Skyler poked him in the ribs. “Yes, you would. Come on, admit it.” A harder poke. “You loved it. It totally got to you.”

Trevor grabbed his hand to stop the attack and gave it a squeeze. “Fine. It got to me. Obviously.” He released Skyler’s hand and wiped at his eyes. “You didn’t warn me it would be sad. I thought musicals were all upbeat and corny.”

“Aww.” Skyler gently grabbed his tear-streaked face.

He held his breath. Skyler hovered over him, and Trevor couldn’t look anywhere but into his eyes, caught up in trying to pull out the secrets from those green depths. They were trying to tell him something, and he was desperate to know what it was.

Then, slowly, Skyler used his thumbs to wipe both of Trevor’s cheeks before placing feather-light kisses on each cheekbone. “You big softie.”