There's a tinge of pink to Derek's cheeks I'm pretty sure I've never seen before and it makes me frown for a moment, curious. He almost looks embarrassment and I can't imagine why. Did I put that there?

Watching him carefully, I nod. "Simon, yes," I tell him, smiling just a little. "He's really nice. He, uh. He said he met you." It's not surprising, of course. Everyone in Darrow knows Derek or at least meets him in time. I really hadn't thought much of it when Simon mentioned it.

I still can't forget the way Simon had called him my Derek, as ridiculous as it is.

"He also said he doesn't even know if he likes guys or not, but I suppose I have to be a possibly-straight guy's experiment at some point in my life," I say, partially joking and partially not. "Now seems as good a time as any to get it out of the way."