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“Wait wait,” Maddie said, setting down her coffee as she sat forward. “You were trying to get Tommy’s attention?”
“Yeah, obviously. I just guess I didn’t really piece together why until he was, you know, kissing me. And then it just clicked, like, oh, that’s what this feeling is, you know?” He paused and furrowed his brow. “Wait, who’s attention did you think I was trying to get?”
“Eddie. Obviously.”
Buck let out a huff. “Why would I be trying to get Eddie’s attention? He’s my best friend, we already do everything together.”
“Oh, I don’t know, maybe because you’ve had a crush on him since the day he joined the 118?” She sat back in her chair again, coffee in hand as she waited for that one to catch up with him.
“I don’t have a crush on Eddie,” Buck said, rolling his eyes confidently.
“Mmhmm.”
“It’s not like that. He’s my best friend.”
“And the two of you have an amazing bond, I know. But… well. Josh is my best friend, but its not like we do movie night every week. Hen and Howie are best friends, but I’m pretty sure Howie’s never shown up to Denny’s parent-teacher conferences.”
“That’s—”
“Different, I know.”
“Eddie’s a single parent, and I adore Christopher. I’m just trying to help them out.”
“Is he really? A single parent? I know that’s what his aunt thinks, trying to set him up with all those girls to get Chris a new mom, but. I don’t know. From where I’m sitting, he already has two active parents.”
“I invited you out to tell you that I’m, I don’t know, bi, I guess, which is sort of a big realization for me, and I feel like you’re trying to derail and make this about something that it’s not.”
“Evan—” she started, then shook her head. “You’re right, I’m sorry. And I really appreciate that you’ve shared this with me, I can’t even begin to imagine what you’re going through right now. I’m proud of you. Of course I’m proud of you. And I’m happy for you.”
“I’m sensing a but.”
“But… you’re an idiot.”
Buck groaned and sank down into the chair…
He stayed there in silence for the next three and a half minutes.
“Shit,” he said finally. “I’m in love with Eddie, aren’t I?”
“Yeah, probably.”