I'd been back in Seattle for two days when my phone rang.
Jayce.
I answered on the fourth ring.
"Hello?"
"Hey. You got a minute?"
"Yeah."
"I'm sorry for how I handled things. On the phone. I was angry. Hurt. But I've been thinking about what you said. About choosing Daniel. About being honest." He paused. "I realized I never gave you the same honesty."
"What do you mean?"
"I never actually told you what I wanted. I said friendship but didn't mean it. I was hoping you'd realize you wanted me. But I never fought for you. When you broke up with me for college, I accepted it. When Daniel showed up, I wrote a letter instead of showing up at your door. I was always waiting for you to choose me instead of giving you a reason to."
"Jayce—"
"Daniel challenged you. Made you feel things. And I just loved you quietly from the sidelines. I'm done with that. I'm done being safe. I'm done being the guy you settle for."
"So I'm calling to ask you something."
"Okay."
