Page 69 of Haunted

“Maybe.”

Sol leaned back against the hay, conscious of bits poking through his shirt. “So… you’re not gay.”

A sigh rolled out of him. “I’m bi. And you’re only the second person I’ve admitted that to.”

“I’m guessing Teague would be the first.”

“Yeah.” He snorted. “Took me long enough to own up to it.”

Sol smiled. “Butch… you just came out.”

Butch laughed. “I guess I did.”

“But you did know back then you weren’t entirely straight, didn’t you?”

A shadow crossed Butch’s face. “Yeah. And I still don’t wanna talk about it.”

Sol knew whatitreferred to.

“Who talked, by the way?”

Sol wasn’t going to dump Zeeb in the shit. “I cannot reveal my sources. But I got the impression everyone here knows. I mean, about you and Teague?”

“Probably, but no one talks about it.” He froze. “Should I tell them?”

“Tell who what?”

“The guys. That I’m bi. Although I don’t think they’ll be all that surprised, to tell the truth.”

“It’s your decision,” Sol said in a low voice. “If you feel comfortable telling them, fine. If you don’t, that’s fine too. Screw ’em.”

Zeeb’s voice shattered the calm. “Hey, breakfast.”

Sol peered at Butch. “Have you eaten?”

“Not yet. I woke up early and went for a walk.” The skin around his mouth tightened. “Except that’s not true. I was hiding out in here, until I figured I couldn’t keep doing that. I had to face you sooner or later.”

“I’m glad you did.” He studied Butch. “Are you? Glad, I mean.”

“Yeah. I shouldn’t have treated you like that.” He shivered. “Gotta say, when I heard you were having supper with the boss…”

“The conversation was mostly about me, honest. We discussed when we first knew we were gay.”

He stopped. He’d been about to tell Butch who had caught his eye in high school, but then he reconsidered.

Not going to show all my cards just yet.

“Is there more to this story?” Butch asked.

“For the last time, come and get it while there’s still stuff to get,” Zeeb yelled.

“We’re coming, okay?” Butch hollered back. He rolled his eyes. “If needs be, Icanrustle up some eggs for us.”

“I think we should join the others,” Sol suggested. “We’ve got all week to talk, right? Now that wearetalking.”

“Fair enough.” Butch put his hat back on, then held out his hand. “We good?”

Sol took his hand. “We’re good.” He followed Butch out of the barn and into the morning sunlight.

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