Page 150 of Maybe You

His head snaps up when Remy lets out an exasperated sigh.

“Martyrdom does not suit you,” he says.

“It’s not?—”

“Too old,” Remy stops him.

Sutton clamps his mouth shut.

Remy studies him thoughtfully.

“Do you love the boy?” he asks, then.

It would be so easy if Sutton could just lie and say no.

“It doesn’t matter whether I do or don’t,” he manages.

“What an incredibly stupid thing to say.”

Sutton gapes at him.

“Excuse me?”

Remy rolls his eyes.

“You heard me just fine. Do you love the boy?”

Sutton tries to fight the words. Tries to swallow them back down. Knows it’s crucial not to let them see the light of day.

It’s no use.

“Yes,” he says. “But?—”

“Does he love you?”

“I don’t?—”

Remy stops him with a raised brow.

“He says he does,” Sutton mumbles.

“And you’re both consenting adults, free to do whatever you want?”

Sutton stays stubbornly silent.

“We’ll take that as a yes,” Remy says. “You have to help me out here, kid, because I fail to see the problem.”

“Me,” bursts from Sutton’s lips. “I’m the problem. You know it.”

Remy stays calm as ever.

“I don’t. Why are you the problem?”

“Because,” Sutton sputters. “Because of who I am. And where I come from. You know my history!”

Remy studies him slowly and thoroughly before he speaks again.

“I do, but the difference between you and me is that when I look at you, I mostly see bravery. Overcoming the odds and making something of yourself despite the terrible situation you came from.” Remy’s smile takes on a sardonic edge.

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