“So she doesn’t like the rain,” said Gabriel.Nick smiled. “I kind of like the irony.”…Chris sighed. “No one likes the rain.”“You do,” said Nick. He flung the lighter back to his brother. Gabriel caught it. “Maybe we should put some money on it, see how long it takes Chris to get her wet.”

“Nick smiled. “I kind of like the irony.”“Jesus, you are such a nerd.” Gabriel flung the lighter at him. “Stop using big words.”“Five letters is a big word?”

“So, Chris," he said. "You couldn't make a smaller cut?"Nick's eyes were closed, but he smiled."Chris asked me to bite him first."Gabriel gave him a disguested look."You are one sick bastard.""I was desperate." Chris smiled, too, but then he dropped it. "Desperate people do crazy things.”

“We’d better be careful to each put our own clothes on or we will have some explaining to do,” she said. “Maybe we should turn on the light.”That made him really laugh. “As if I could get one toe of mine into anything of yours.”“I was thinking mostly of my bra,” she said. “You sure did seem interested in it.”“I am,” he said. “First I think I’d like for you to quit wearing it but then I remember how much fun we had with it on. I just can’t decide.”“I’m not gonna participate in that experiment,” she said.“But what if I decide you should go without?”“Too bad.”He started pulling on his jeans, then put his brace back on.“Take some time to think about it.”

“I just said it was romantic. Some people like that."Nick sat, too. "Like you?"She lifted her chin. "Maybe I do."Nick's laugh for once didn't urge her to join him. "Well then, you're fucking the wrong guy.”

“His back to the room, Jackson said, "I need a Chris." Because Chris was gay, Dare choked and Trace laughed.”