Page 35 of Bend

Hell, I’ve known for a while now.

I’m not confused about myself. I like who I like. Men, women, whatever hits right. It’s never felt worth lying to myself over. Thorne’s not confused either, no matter how much he likes to act like he is when the mood turns honest.

He likes women, sure, but I know damn well he likes men too. He’s not unsure, he’s just not ready to say it.

Echo glances between us, catches something in the silence, then smiles like she’s just found the exact thread she wants to pull, and by the look on her face, I know damn well she intends to pull it.

“There it is,” she murmurs.

Thorne leans in. “There what is?”

“That.”

She doesn’t explain, just smirks coyly as she lets the song carry her between us, then turns so her back brushes my chest for a second before she twists toward Thorne, hands sliding up his shoulders. He laughs, startled, and glances at me like I’m supposed to do something about this.

I just lift a brow, and he gives me a look that says shut up.

Echo catches both our hands again and brings them back to her waist, one stacked over the other as she continues to sway to the music, her arms, waving above her head.

He stills as my hand covers his, and I feel it all the way down my spine.

Echo tips her head back against my shoulder just enough to look at him. “You two are dangerously obvious, you know that?”

Thorne lets out a sharp laugh, all mock offense and just a little too quick to be natural. “Obvious about what, exactly?”

Her smile turns slow. Wicked. “Oh, come on. Don’t make me spell it out.”

He scoffs, but there’s color rising in his cheeks now, and I catch it before he can turn his head. “You’re chatting absolute shit.”

“Am I?” she asks, dragging the words out like she’s clearly enjoying every second of this.

“Yes,” he says immediately. “Massively.”

I hum into my beer, watching him over the rim.

His eyes cut to mine.

There it is.

That fucking look.

Half challenge, half warning, and all it does is make the corner of my mouth twitch.

“See?” she says, glancing between us. “That. Right there. Fuck you two are hot.”

Thorne actually chokes on a laugh at that. “Bloody Christ.”

I grin. “I mean, she’s got a point.”

He stares at me like I’ve personally betrayed him. “Oh, you can fuck off too.”

“Bit defensive, mate.” I smirk, mockingly.

“Bit smug, aren’t you?”

“Only because you’re easier than you think to read.”

His jaw tightens just slightly, and for a second he goes quiet in that way he always does when something gets a little too close to the truth.