Page 44 of Backward Motion

Connor glanced up and caught Sam’s knowing look. He stacked the papers together and placed them on the desk. Maybe that was it. Here he was again, preempting his old man’s disapproval. “I don’t know. It’s so showy. Like I’m putting myself out there.”

Sam gave Connor’s sleeve a playful tug. “So put yourself out there. This is a chance to celebrate all your hard work. Show everyone what an awesome job you’re doing.”

His face beamed with a confidence Connor didn’t share. He couldn’t help but feel Sam’s faith in him was misplaced.

Then Connor remembered at school, when he’d shown up late to lab and their biology teacher, Mr. Monroe, had paired him with Sam—the only kid left in class without a partner. They were supposed to note down the different parts of a cell structure and determine whether it was plant or animal.

Sam explained this quietly before moving the microscope with the first slide over to Connor. “What do you think?”

If it had been anyone else, Connor would have shoved the thing back with a deadpan “Nope.” But the way Sam addressed him, with every expectation that Connor was, in fact, a thoughtful and diligent student, made him pull the microscope closer and peer down at the squiggly smudge on the slide. He’d spent the rest of the lab hyperconsciousof the proximity of Sam’s elbow to his arm and obsessing over how their fingers had touched for the briefest of seconds when he’d passed the microscope back.

“Okay, okay,” Connor said. “Enough with the pep talk. You’re lucky I find it very, very difficult to be mad at you.”

“I was kind of banking on that.” Sam leaned in, the tension diffusing as he planted a kiss on Connor’s mouth. Then he let out a sigh of relief. “I’m glad that’s settled.” He unfolded the letter again, unable to hide his excitement. “It says you get to invite four guests.”

“Well, you’re coming, of course,” Connor said. “You roped me into this, so you can suffer through the proceedings.”

“And your parents,” Sam replied matter-of-factly. “That makes three.”

The reluctance must have shown on his face because Sam shot him a pleading look. “Ask them. You don’t know what they’ll say until you do.”

“I don’t know if that’s a good idea—especially with how my dad feels about the whole thing. I’ll think about it,” Connor said, if only because Sam looked so hopeful. “But if I do, you have to bring your mom.”

Sam groaned. “And I just know she’ll be desperate to come.”

“Not sure why you’re complaining. Lily’s great.”

“That’s Mrs. Bryant to you, Finnis.”

“I’m charming enough to be on a first-name basis.”

Sam raised an eyebrow. “Charming, huh?”

Connor smirked and moved in for more than just a peck.

Sam arrived early at Thistle Inn for trivia Thursday night. Not as early as Brian, though, who’d already nabbed them a table. He threw up his hand and waved Sam over.

“Here.” Brian tossed a rolled-up black T-shirt onto Sam’s lap when he sat down. “It’s official. You’re a Wise Guy now.”

Sam grinned and shrugged off his jacket to pull the team T-shirt on over the shirt he was wearing. “Thanks. Not sure I’m much of an asset, but I’m honored to be a part of the team.”

“By the way, the other night—what a goddamn revelation!” Brian said, his eyes widening. “Do you know how many of Jules’s friends we’ve tried to set Connor up with? We were starting to think he was either extremely picky or an ax murderer.”

“Okay, calm down. This is all new for him,” Sam said, remembering the shake of Connor’s hand when he closed the door after Brian left.

“I just feel like I’m seeing him with fresh eyes,” Brian gushed. “Like all the stuff I couldn’t put my finger on makes perfect sense.”

Sam couldn’t help but smile. It was sweet how invested Brian was in Connor’s life. The two of them were good friends; he hadn’t fully realized that until now. It must have been a relief for Connor to see how accepting Brian was—especially considering how long he’d kept him in the dark.

“He hasn’t told his parents yet.”

“Right, I figured as much,” Brian murmured. “Wait—back at school, did you know?”

Sam shook his head. “It’s a fairly recent discovery for me as well.”

“You guys are too fucking cute together. I can’t deal.”

Sam laughed. “Whatever, man.” He felt so much lighter now that someone else knew. It made it seem more real somehow, a tiny step in the right direction.