Page 36 of Out of Nowhere

Dex looked around the room at the books, the plants, the pool outside. “It doesn’t look much like a prison.”

“Says someone who isn’t stuck here, unable to leave,” Anna said.

“I’m sorry you feel trapped,” Dex said.

Anna’s hands clenched into fists, calm turning to anger in seconds. “I was only trying to live my life. I know I made a mistake with West. I know I was…intrusive.” She said the word like it was one that had been repeated to her many times. “But I was moving on. He has that guy—“

“Logan,” Dex said. “His boyfriend. They’re talking about getting married.”

A shadow crossed Anna’s face before she locked down her expression.

“Whatever. He has that guy, and I have Adam.Had. My dad ran him off. I’ll probably never see him again.”

“I take it Adam’s the meth head who knocked you up?” Dex couldn’t help it. He didn’t want to antagonize her, but she was acting like she’d been building a great life for herself rather than setting fire to what was left of the one she had.

“He’s a great guy! Sure, he did some drugs, but he never pushed that one me. I made that decision. Lot’s of people dorecreational drugs. Lot’s of women get knocked up. But I do it, and they stick me in here!”

Unable to believe what he was hearing, Dex stood up. “Are you even listening to yourself? Methamphetamine is a seriously dangerous drug! You start taking that, and one day you wake up in a gutter with your skin hanging off your body and no teeth! Or, worse—you don’t wake up at all. Is that what you want? This is a nice place, one Garfield is paying a lot of money for you to stay at so you can have a healthy baby, but do you appreciate that? No!”

Seo-jun’s hand on his arm brought him out of his rage. Breathing heavily, he sat back down on the couch. Anna stared at him with teary eyes, but her mouth was a firm line.

“I guess this is what you came here for. To tell me off. What else do you want to say? I know there’s more.”

“I came here because I was worried about you,” Dex said dully, feeling like he’d just run a race. “But I guess that means nothing to you either, that I would take time from my job to fly here just to make sure you’re okay.”

“You don’t even know me,” Anna said, and, for a moment, Dex thought he saw hatred flash in her eyes. “You never tried to get to know me.”

Dex didn’t need her to tell him he was a bad brother; he’d told himself that plenty of times over the past couple of years.

“Did you ever try to get to knowme?“ he asked. “I had to go to school, make a career for myself.”

“Of course. Perfect Dex. Straight A’s. Never got into any trouble. Too good to take my dad’s name, even though he raised you.”

Too good? Is that what she thinks?Dex’s mind reeled, emotions churning inside him; anger, confusion, hurt. Once again, Seo-jun’s hand coming to rest on Dex’s arm grounded him, allowing Dex to calm down enough to take a deep breath.

“But maybe I was wrong,” Anna said, eyes narrow as she looked between Dex and Seo-jun. “Maybe you aren’t so perfect.”

Putting a hand to his head, which had begun to pound dully, Dex asked wearily, “What are you talking about, Anna?”

“You’regay.”

Dex’s back stiffened as he met her gaze.

“Aren’t you?” Anna prodded, then laughed. “I should have realized it a long time ago. You don’t date. You’ve never been interested in women.”

“I don’t see what my love life has to do with anything,” Dex said woodenly, even as a voice in his head screamed,She knows, and she’s going tell Mom. And Mom is going to be so disappointed. So disgusted.

“It has everything to do with the way I feel. Mom, Garfield—hell, even my dad—think you’re so great. You’re not even his kid!Dex did so well in school. Dex got a great job. He’s so smart.Blah, blah, blah.”

Dex frowned. “Since when do they say things like that about me? All I ever hear is how I should stop working so much and settle down with a family. I once overheard Garfield refer to me as hisnerdy stepson with intimacy issues.”

Anna barked out a bitter laugh. “Mom is going to be so freaked out when she learns her wonderful son is gay. I won’t be the only disappointing child, then.”

“Anna,” Dex said, hating the pleading note entering his voice, but the fear that had lodged in his chest when Anna figured out he was gay was now climbing up his throat, threatening to choke him. “You might hate me, but please don’t tell Mom.”

“Give me one good reason not to.”

Dex froze. “I…” he faltered, not knowing what he could say to convince her not to tell. She was being so cold.Not like when she wants something from you.Dex and Anna stared at one another as silence filled the room.

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