Jay leaned back a little on her boots, cocking one eyebrow. “And who might that be, who are you in love with?”

       Yes, who would that be? Who would love Romell? Who could? No one she could name. Not even Fraser would truly love Romell. Not exactly though, that Fraser could truly love anyone.

       Romell paused, thinking for a second. Should he tell her? Was he ready to tell her? He wasn’t even that sure himself if he loved him. No… he was sure. He just wasn’t sure if he wanted to admit it. If he said it out loud… that would make it true. A blood pact for the heart. He’d already made too many of those. Was he sure he wanted to make a new one? It had been years after Taylor. And still… years later, his heart still burned when he thought that name. Was he ready for another heartbreak?

     “Aspen.” The name spilled from his lips like blood. His chest suddenly felt heavy, as though someone had filled his lungs with concrete, and he couldn’t breathe anymore else he would choke on stone. “I love Aspen.” His throat was dry. Someone seemed to have blown grains of sand into his throat and now they were grinding into his flesh like knives.

       Jay scoffed suddenly. Romell looked at her with fearful eyes. “Aspen? Really?” She said with a grin.

       Romell floundered for a moment, eyes flickering. “Well… well yes, I think…” He stuttered, eyebrows drew high up and eyes searching for something, anything, of acceptance.

      Jay didn’t do anything other than laugh. “Please. How long have you been together?” Romell paused for a moment. Well, they weren’t exactly together, per say, it was more of a-“So he’s a fling then?” She asked, grinning from ear to ear. “That’s what he is? One burn out after another with you, isn’t it?”

       Romell blinked rapidly, eyelids fluttering, unsure of what to say. What should he say? That Aspen and he were together? Well, that wasn’t exactly true. Aspen came to his house during the night and the night alone and that’s when they were together. During the day, during work hours, it was if they had never even known each other. Had they ever shared an intimate moment outside Romel’s room? Well… when Fraser was away, sure they had. But they weren’t exactly together. How much can togetherness really mean if you can’t admit it out loud? Admit it out loud… That’s what Romell had done… and he honestly thought it was the worst decision he’d made. Right behind falling in love again and again and every time getting his heart broken.

      “My, my… such a sad little creature you are.” Jay purred,  her brown eyes darkening. Romell looked up at her, sadly. She wasn’t wrong, was she? Why protest? “Falling in love at the drop of a hat.” She laughed, softly to herself. “Depressing, in honesty.”

      Romell nodded. It was.