Page 49 of Cross My Heart

As requested, Tyler opened the door to his boyhood bedroom and let Josh explore for himself.

Josh took his time, handling the bits of Tyler’s memories with almost conscious care. He read the invites and the clippings, brushed the little trophies and model cars. He clocked all the cheesy, beefy athletes and pretty boys that had shaped Tyler’s fantasies and ambitions. His methodical scrutiny didn’t seem invasive, more understanding, as though he was deciphering the code of Tyler’s secret heart.

Seeing Josh browse the abandoned clutter of his whole life felt… odd and vaguely sweet, private in a good way. He had nothing to hide, certainly not from someone who had come to matter so much.

Tyler sighed. He had half a mind to confess everything right now.

Josh looked up with a kind expression. “This is a great room. It feels like you.”

Tyler laughed. “Not quite. Look at all this.”

Since he’d come back, Tyler hadn’t had the heart to change anything in here. He didn’t want to get too comfortable, and remembering this other life accurately, honestly, felt essential somehow. His shrink could probably explain. Maybe something about his mom, his life, his path. He shook his head to clear the thought.

“Don’t tell your sister.” Josh leaned over to whisper. “Mine was way worse.”

“I refuse to believe that.”

Browsing the shelf above the desk, Josh flipped open a yearbook full of signatures. “Your mom kept the past safe for you. And then your sister. So you could go out and conquer the world. I love that.”

Tyler nodded, stunned by the way Josh always cut right to the point, his absolute clarity. “They did.”

“Hey….” Josh picked up the copy of The Three Musketeers he’d bought Tyler in Ocotillo Heights. “You’re reading it.”

Tyler’s brow furrowed in confusion. “Of course I am. Why wouldn’t I?”

“No, I don’t mean it like that, but….” He blinked and ran his hand over the old cover. “I mean, you started right away.”

“Well it’s either that or Atlas Shrugged. No thanks. I hated that crap the first time.”

“No lie.” Josh nodded and chuckled, then riffled the pages.

“I thought you knew…. I love it. I should’ve said something.”

“About Musketeers?” Josh looked perplexed.

“That’s where our whole library scheme came from. It’s D’Artagnan’s fault, actually.” He poked Josh with a wicked grin.

Josh laughed and squirmed. “Do what now?”

“That guy! What a dumbass. He shows up with all these assumptions and barges into everyone else’s fights. At first I thought I was Porthos. But I’m not. Or I’m not always. No one is.” He shook his head, feeling like he’d said too much. “That’s not the point. What I mean is, the book came alive. So really this whole library rescue scheme is your fault.”

Josh handed the book back. “Where are you at?”

“D’Artagnan just beat DeWinter and met Milady. You know.” He cocked one rakish eyebrow and put his hands on his hips like a swashbuckler. “The more hearts are worth the capture, the more difficult they are to be won.”

Oh.

He realized what he’d said, but he just left Dumas’s words right out there.

“Uhh.” Josh’s gaze held his for a moment, but then before either of them said anything too crazy, he dropped his eyes to the twin bed. “I’m going to take your word on the spank bank under there.”

Tyler held up two fingers. “Scout’s honor.”

“Sorry, Fantana. There’s no honor in spank banks.” He grinned. “Let’s get back. I don’t want your sister to have to wash up.”

Tyler followed Josh back to the kitchen, passing Nadia sipping wine on the couch. “We call dishes.”

She raised her glass. “Music to my ears.”