Something Like Rain (Something Like... Book 8) by Jay Bell Page B

it, even more so once they were all seated at the table. “Thank you for coming,” he said. Then he walked around the table, placing a tea bag in each cup before pouring steaming water over it. He smiled at his friends as he did this, greeting each of them one by one. Holly appeared giddy, Abby kept looking from him to the spread, and Lily refused to meet his eye.
    “Okay,” he said once he had sat. “Everyone help yourself. Enjoy.”
    Nobody moved. Only Holly reached for food, but Lily grabbed her wrist to stop her. “What’s this about?” she demanded.
    From her tone, she was still hurt.
    William hoped today would put an end to such feelings. Yesterday he and Kelly had stood in the YMCA parking lot, talking for almost an hour about how the coming out process had gone for him and other people he knew. Kelly compared the process to an adhesive bandage—best ripped off swiftly and without hesitation. William felt more tact was called for. “Aren’t you hungry?” he asked. “Please, have a—” Lily’s expression stopped him short. She had looked away, her features darkening. “Okay. Well. I asked you all here because there’s something I need to say.”
    Holly perked up. “What?”
    William shifted nervously. “It’s about me,” he said. “Who I really am. Um. Geez.”
    “I told you so,” Abby murmured.
    “Shut up!” Holly shot back.
    “He’s gay,” Abby insisted, rolling her eyes at Holly, who shook her head adamantly in response.
    “No, he isn’t! We’re here so he can tell us who he’s chosen.” Holly looked to him with transparent hope. “Right?”
    William stared at her, any response caught in his throat. Then he looked to Lily, whose cheeks remained flushed, arms crossed as she glared at the table. This wasn’t going as smoothly as he had hoped.
    “Abby is right,” he managed. “I’m gay.”
    Holly scrunched up her nose. “Are you sure?”
    Lily lifted her head, waiting for his answer.
    “Yes,” William said. “Trust me, I’ve thought long and hard about this.”
    “Could have fooled me,” Lily muttered.
    Holly turned to her slowly. “What’s that supposed to mean? Did you guys—”
    “No!” William said. Then he frowned. “Not exactly.”
    “You knew I had a crush on him!” Holly shouted.
    “It doesn’t matter,” Lily said, staring her down. “He’s not interested in any of us, so get over it!”
    “I’m fine with this,” Abby interjected. “William, you’re very brave for telling us. I’m proud of you and accept you for who you are.”
    “She read that online,” Lily said.
    “So what?” Abby shot back. “At least I’m not clinging to false hope.”
    “I still am,” Holly said. “Are you really really sure?”
    “Yes!” William said, starting to lose his temper. “I know it’s an adjustment, but I thought part of you would be happy for me. If you really like me, then—”
    “We do,” Lily said, voice strained. “And we are.”
    The table was quiet.
    “Thanks,” William said. He felt terrible. Holly had put on a smile but still seemed deflated, Lily’s expression was tight, and Abby... Well, she at least seemed okay with it all. “How did you know?” he asked her.
    “You’re not like other guys,” she replied.
    “That’s what I like most about him,” Holly said.
    Abby ignored her. “At first we thought maybe you were just shy, but you’re the only guy in school not interested in our boobs, and if that wasn’t enough, you invited us over for a tea party.”
    Holly giggled, covering her mouth. “With cupcakes. Pink cupcakes.”
    “You’re girls,” William said defensively. “I thought you’d like them.”
    “Great,” Abby said, “he’s gay, but he still manages to be a sexist pig.”
    William stared. Maybe the stress had gotten to him, but he started laughing. To his relief, the girls joined in, even though Lily’s laughter seemed a little forced. They continued to tease him, finally enjoying the food and making it