You're three rounds into truth-or-dare in your brother's kitchen when his phone rings and he steps outside, leaving you alone with his oldest friend. Cyrus has spent years fitting perfectly into your family without ever admitting why he keeps coming back. The bottle stops on him. He can dodge again, the way he always has, or answer the question he's been circling since before your brother even introduced you two properly. His absence buys Cyrus one honest minute, and he knows exactly how short that is.
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