Summary

TJ and Ian enjoy their time in Austin together. TJ recalls the period, during their teenage years, when he and Cam explored one another sexually. He remembers Jin walking in on them and notes that “what stays with me is the resignation behind his eyes” (190).

On their last night in Austin, Ian tells TJ that he and his fiancée are “bumping up the marriage” (191). They have a serious argument and TJ accuses Ian of being a “coward” (192).

Back in Houston, Cam tells TJ that he and Mae hired a new employee, Noel. TJ thinks about the first time he had a sex with a man. Cam appeared bored by the news, suggesting to TJ that “this thing about me that I’d held so dear was… unremarkable” (196). Noel proves to be a talented baker.

Mae confesses to TJ that she “wonder[s...