Alex frowned at his roommate. Jamie shivered in his arms, still hugging himself close, afraid to let go, afraid to hold onto him, afraid—afraid you’ll push him away again, his mind whispered, and Alex hugged Jamie tighter, feeling tears dampen his T-shirt. Uncertainty puckered Dave’s mouth. “Is he okay?”
“He’ll be fine,” Alex whispered. Silently he added, I’ll take care of him.
He’ll be fine.
Keeping one arm around Jamie’s shuddering shoulders, Alex led the way into the kitchen. He flicked on the overhead light and flinched when he saw the bruise darkening Jamie’s cheek, the blood smeared beneath his nose. “Jesus, what happened to you?”
Jamie sank into one of the chairs at the kitchen table and slouched down, resting his head against the back of the chair. “I got in a fight,” he mutte
