Chapter 20: The Plan on the Bed

The bus got back to Ridgemont at six on Monday evening, and Noah slept through the last hour with his head on William's shoulder.

Henry's car was waiting in the lot.

Nobody mentioned who rode in front.

Noah took the passenger seat, and the other three folded into the back.

Halfway up Cedar Hill, Troy cleared his throat.

"You said ask you when we got home."

"I did."

"We're nearly home."

Noah watched the gates come up through the windshield, black iron and white lamps.

"What's the rest?" Troy said. "Of what you're still angry about?"

Noah turned in his seat.

"You told your father," he said.

The car went very quiet.

"How do you..."

"At the forum your father put a hand on my shoulder.

"He didn't look surprised. He acted as if he'd known for weeks."

Troy flinched.

"I told him in week two," he said. "I'm sorry. I didn't tell him what we did. I told him how I felt."

"How you felt."

"I couldn't sleep, and I couldn't talk to you.

"So I walked into his study at midnight and said, Dad, I think I'm in love with Noah, and I don't know what to do."

Henry's head had turned.

William stared at the back of Troy's seat.

"What did he say?" Noah asked.

"He asked if you were happy. I said I didn't know. He said, 'Then find out, and don't decide anything for him.'"

Noah said nothing for a long time.

"That was good advice," he said.

"I didn't take it."

"No."

"I'm sorry I didn't."

Noah looked out at the lit driveway.

"Is that the last secret?" he said. "Rule four. No chats about me I'm not in."

"It's the last."

"Henry?"

"There's the folder," Henry said.

"I'll throw it away."

"Thank you."

"William?"

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