Where We Left Off - Romeo Alexander Page 0,49

both,” Tyler pointed out.

“There is that. Maybe I’m just overthinking things,” Clay said with a shrug.

“Do you think there’s something else?” Tyler asked, wondering if Nate had spoken to his father.

Clay looked up, smirking. “I’m not the one who knows him. You’re the one who’s going to know best, so maybe you should talk to him and find out for yourself.”

Tyler sighed nodding. He knew Clay was right, though he wasn’t sure what he was supposed to say to Nate. They weren’t exactly in a position to have a serious conversation about the two of them, or if there was a ‘two of them’ to begin with. He hadn’t believed what Nate had told him on the street for a second, but that didn’t mean Nate wouldn’t end up sticking to his guns.

His father had held a tight grip over Nate’s entire life, that wasn’t something easily shaken off. As much as Tyler wanted Nate to get some form of freedom, he did know it wasn’t that easy. Everything in Nate’s life was tied to his family, and inevitably, to his father. To try to be his own person would mean going it alone, having to change his entire life.

Clay jerked his head toward the second floor. “Go see how he’s doing. Get him to talk to you.”

“Thanks, Dad,” Tyler said dryly, pushing himself up.

Clay chuckled. “Speaking of, you are so incredibly grounded for this entire thing. I expect this kind of impulsive stupidness from Elliot, not you.”

“Rude,” Elliot’s voice complained from the next room.

Knowing that nothing was settled but that he wasn’t going to get a better opportunity to get away, Tyler slipped out of the living room. The house was quiet, save for the sound of Elliot and Clay’s soft conversation retreating behind him. The door to his room was left open a crack and as he approached, he could see a soft light coming through.

He’d expected to find Nate sleeping again and was surprised to see him sitting at the desk. The desk lamp beside him threw the bruises on his face into stark relief. He didn’t look like he was in pain as he sat bent over the desk, reading what looked like one of Tyler’s comics.

“I almost forgot how much you loved these things,” Nate said, clearly knowing Tyler was there.

“I don’t read them like I used to, but I can’t seem to let them go either,” Tyler said.

Nate considered the book in front of him. “Serena always bought these for you, didn’t she?”

“Yeah,” Tyler said, smiling at the mention of his mother.

Nate closed it, sliding it gently away. “I always thought it was a little silly, being so obsessed with superheroes and comics at our age. Though now I know you can never be too old to appreciate a good hero story. Sometimes it’s what people need.”

Tyler sat on the end of his bed. “I was a little obsessed, though, you’re right. Ever since I was little, I loved comics. Everything seemed so simple, so easy. Good fights evil, good always wins, and the good guys are people you can look up to.”

Nate nodded, turning to face him. “Quite different from real life.”

“Yeah, that’s why I liked the comics so much,” Tyler said.

Nate reached out, hesitating, before placing his hand over Tyler’s. “Well, maybe not all that different from real life, not all the time. Sometimes there are people worth looking up to, worth respecting.”

Tyler’s brow shot up. “I’ll feel like an ass if I’m wrong, but please tell me you aren’t trying to talk about me.”

“My father is a cold, heartless bastard,” Nate said, words clipped.

“Uh,” Tyler said, not sure if he was supposed to agree or not. It was at least acknowledgment of what Nate had been forced to endure. And it was also the first time Tyler had ever heard his friend say anything so forward and harsh about his father.

Nate’s fingers closed around Tyler’s. “And he was wrong about you.”

Tyler winced. “Nate, c’mon…”

Nate shook his head. “No, he was, and I suspect he always will be. You’re a marvelous person who has put himself in great danger to save me twice now. You’ve got a good heart, and you’re always finding new ways to get better. You are so much more than the...awful way he portrayed you, and if my father had any sense left in his head, he would see that I would be blessed to have you in my life.”

Tyler’s throat closed as he tried to speak. “Nate,