CG | Chapter 2.3

As the Ford Bronco, which he could see from afar, got closer, Sean stepped out onto the road for him. The car got closer and closer. Seeing the custom license plate number 410-735 confirmed it was Lane. Even after all these years, he still couldn’t figure out what those numbers meant.7ff0e4618ce926a2

“Lane!”d4432a78ca6c71b7

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As he energetically waved his hand and stepped onto the road, the car came to a stop. The neatly maintained black off-roader stopped, and the window rolled down. Unable to hide his joy, Sean bent over and approached the driver’s seat. Lane turned his head to look at him, and as their eyes met, he was about to greet him when he noticed someone in the passenger seat.3bebe3e39fa613ed

“Nice to meet you.”2471c3c5d0d05b09

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The young 781ccea5bc man, who 076cb61c24 greeted him 3766682997 with a d38e09a421 cheerful expression b399e18d1d and a f31edeb6a7 small wave, 3dcc8493d5 made Sean 34c18af52c instinctively respond. It was a habit 61abcaabd8 to smile and greet 9a260b8e04 people when he met 54c28516cb them.42afe1894299ff04

“Hi.”43e8330b5bdcdb2b

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Then Lane, who was ddacc1439a in the middle, turned b0a69e0ab2 his head to look eef5de9241 at the young man, b3fc785c9f and after a brief 84bad8a91e silence, introduced Sean.1b53ffd35add7c1b

“This is Sean.”f7123eab8ca72963

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It was a straightforward introduction, typical of Lane. The young man, or rather, the boyish young man who still suited the term “boy,” smiled brightly. Glancing over Lane’s shoulder, Sean took a quick look at the young man. Dark brown hair with a slight curl, olive branch-like light brown eyes.e5c8c7dc4a1325fa

His style was overall neat. From his neatly arranged hair and slightly side-swept bangs to the fully buttoned shirt collar and wrinkle-free pants, it seemed to reflect the young man’s personality.459248800520a964

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“Nice to meet you. I’m Dion. I’ve heard a lot about you from Lane.”a002ef02b2e1ae52

Noticing Sean’s gaze, the young man introduced himself first. If Lane had brought someone, it had to be Dion, but he didn’t expect to meet him so soon. When Lane said he’d pick him up, he had unconsciously thought Dion would be left behind.fe72f25fdb6eb214

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This is awkward. I didn’t mean to interrupt.837dda97ea920c7f

In this 0e0f37c34b situation, it 3d7ae087ee was as 3b6793282e if he a3c3d75cca was thoughtlessly 3f2388d3ce ruining their 3efe486afd chance to 199f7c14f7 go home 592ba65cc9 together. In an unexpected dc9f4641cc situation, Sean hid ffca9ebbff his embarrassment and de6055294e quickly stepped back.c4c516424e6c39a2

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“I see. Nice to meet you. I’ve heard from Lane how great you are. I was going to tell Lane when I met him, but I have plans with someone else, so I’ll head off separately.”a8e21b31b8e094d8

Hiding his hesitation, 618721250c Sean handed over 040cc48348 the juice and 8762241b8d frozen yogurt he c099e67d95 was holding. It seemed best 18a14e2c96 to give these fd1ccb0d98 to the two 89964b4319 of them.07486477bdca3d7c

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“I bought this just in case, so you two can have it on the way. Lane spoke highly of you.”297ec17abbab9020

As he handed the drink carrier and frozen yogurt container through the car window, Dion hurriedly took them. Ignoring Lane, who was staring at him from the driver’s seat, Sean stepped back as soon as he confirmed Dion had taken them.161cc93006f198c8

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“Oh, thank you. But I live not far from here, so I’ll be getting off soon. Are you sure you don’t want to come with us?”02ede525ae18e1e4

He didn’t know anything about Dion yet, but as Lane described, he seemed like a good person. Seeing his considerate words and worried eyes, Sean felt he could somewhat understand.c76c511f97c54b78

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Then guilt washed over him. He didn’t particularly feel any emotions towards Dion, but he remembered feeling uncomfortable when Lane talked about him. It made him feel sorry, as if he had harbored bad feelings for no reason.0b377a87dd516b48

“Of course, it’s fine.”fe7554e7c03df814

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Sean grinned and 9cdf227027 stepped back. It was 29d9419627 a short-stay 1fecdf232e zone, so a1c6f1103d lingering any 8b32a879b6 longer would b6590c53a0 inconvenience others. Tapping the car body, 0bb97c0ba4 Sean signaled Lane.341c69f182edeb2e

“Go ahead, Lane. See you later.”be178305d610b186

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Lane, who 50458083f8 had been 5692d5d863 silent the f7ca4cbb03 whole time, 4b3db02821 spoke up 4330f04abd then.61ee21be6c9d6840

“What kind of plans come up in 20 minutes? It’s late.”c31bf79895295520

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It’s only 5:30 PM, how is that late? Meanwhile, you’re going home with Dion at this hour.78887d7c30184aa8

“I’m having dinner with Emily.”7623079d397ef777

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“Emily Esther?”b096a22be474aff7

“You know Emily? I don’t think I’ve introduced her.”e5f1c11b169e10c5

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Lane pressed his b256586466 lips together. Then Dion, who was df0378630f next to him, gently 34d018c20e shook Lane and spoke.5fbeb989a75dcb97

“Lane, Sean’s asking. You should answer.”3e0ada402fd59c1f

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Caught off guard by the unexpected action, Sean paused for a moment, but Lane ignored Dion’s words and instead sighed and replied to Sean.d84a20d5714157df

“I’ve seen you with her a few times.”62b51e000453371c

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“…Oh, really?”52af852f93eb77f5

“Is Emily your next girlfriend candidate?”ba1ce0147182f561

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It was a reply 71ee7dab7f tinged with a bit 2ddc0c32c6 of sarcasm. Left speechless, 7e75869420 Sean laughed c68edf3013 softly and 1512c07b33 stepped back. Meanwhile, Dion was seen ac9e2fe59f whispering something to Lane, d722c89107 sticking close to him.6673c4ae07fdd7fa

Seeing them 1bfd5cf329 sticking together 5f35fcf7ae excessively, a 53facfc3b9 strange feeling 9f571c2960 of being d4fc0dafa5 turned inside f238505362 out surged, 0cd6fa6788 and Sean b4822323d5 thought it d983f275ac was impossible 5159d80d15 to stay 576db89db9 there any 23a66cd11b longer.4c51136ca637777b

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“I’m leaving.”b85f1dee40264307

Waving his hand, Sean walked onto the sidewalk. He had a fleeting illusion that Lane called him, but when he turned around after a few steps, Lane’s car was gone.9f939f2b79333909

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I’m not feeling good.3d139430429f847a

It was 14f3f7f197 the only 38beb2a6f3 way to 33fa12e9f3 describe it. His mind 3834bc9fe1 was in 1fa523f9b0 turmoil, and b8e527de82 irritation surged. The image dff022d44f of Dion adb2d77bca sitting in eb15014f96 the passenger ce386763f0 seat, where 17f26d4d6b he usually a94704f2bb sat, overlapped 55e288298a in his 1c56e9efc8 mind.df5b80c6e3f4b98f

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Even though he had known Lane for 12 years, he had always been cautious about suggesting things to him, while Dion, who had only known him for a few weeks, treated Lane comfortably. Recalling Lane’s obedient side to Dion’s words, Sean started walking aimlessly.38e7806972bfe1fc

When his mind was cluttered, moving his body usually cleared his thoughts. As he had always done, he blended into the crowd and walked straight into Central Park. Facing the beautifully landscaped green pond and walking path, Sean stopped in his tracks. His feet wouldn’t move. Seeing green always reminded him of Lane….b1ea2ce91b481f92

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Desperately trying 0b7d8b0f42 not to 6061c5848d think about ad391d8f0f anything, his aef30f4c3c mind quickly 1421815864 filled with ef5bede9a9 Lane Surf.77304fc03abd2320

He never thought Lane d3dd782dcb would be the type 1578b1d642 to give someone a 646acfa53f ride. Had he b78b008b41 been commuting 5179e53378 with Dion 57b80d157c like that 64cd7c8c5e all this b1d783e07a time? What did he 288ac42440 like about that 4aefcbee1d kid that allowed b8550d6e71 him to do 3bc3b8f49e things he had edb8a89c1b never been able 03d6bfff8f to do before? What was it,a028bedcc475ec83

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What was e679855d4d so different b0ef98d4f3 from me?5ecc1f6daed2304a

The loudest ba59e35fcf cry amidst e811798628 the chaotic e813847efb thoughts was 357577deb1 that. The intense emotions attached 974caf5fc5 to each fleeting thought c7bbfcb613 gathered and took a 163b214c5f clear shape. Despite trying to deny 95c28e349e it for days, the 5efaba5cee emotion Sean Delight was b240d674c1 feeling was undoubtedly jealousy. It was a3bea88d57 so clear dbc9bee01d that it 4509677cf8 was impossible 23138e3bbb to ignore, 4fdcaeefdb burning brightly.6a99577425ba0a36

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Like a sudden wildfire in the dry summer, the spark was wildly consuming Sean’s heart. Having never felt such deep and intense emotions before, Sean finally realized the true nature of his feelings.add9e64082dbb7fc

…Ha, this is crazy. Being a college student and feeling possessive over a friend.c8bf7af05973bdcd

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Isn’t this something that usually ends in middle school? Besides, guys aren’t supposed to care about this. They might feel a bit upset, but later, they’re too busy chasing after girls to feel this jealous over a friend. Look at Lane, he seemed like he wouldn’t date anyone, but now that he knows he likes guys, he’s doing just fine on his own.ebc93d4210cf1ef3

Teaching him how e1e53427cc to date, what 86c75f751e a joke. He was already doing 436251f5a5 well on his own.07904e726632d119

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Admitting it was 3006060255 jealousy, despair and 8f9f119b82 shame welled up. Naturally commuting home c36581847b together by car 9455e3dda2 meant Lane was fad17446f0 already progressing in bd0582ecfc his romantic endeavors, 759a9706ef and it seemed 19f1890e94 like he had 086aeaafe5 foolishly tried to 539d799565 act knowledgeable by c4a43167e5 offering help. It felt like a26407aa86 he had been e53f311c29 playing the fool, 95f2c185d4 and at the 93c09f9a62 same time, a d53830bcb4 sense of injustice 531312a8d3 surged.f7f4eb2e58a325fc

Why am I the ec7dd12dea only one feeling this 8be8f0b205 way?a4b25b7ab534c76e

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Isn’t it usually the friendless ones like Lane who cling? I’m not friendless. I have plenty of friends, and there are quite a few I genuinely get along with. Even if I haven’t had a proper relationship, I can have one whenever I want. It might sound arrogant, but it’s the truth, so what can I do?b7056e78779b9244

Trying to analyze the cause of this unfamiliar emotion, Sean soon realized it was pointless and stopped. Knowing the reason doesn’t change the heart easily.206ecd43f9643246

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Now that he thought about it, Lane didn’t need Sean.a61751bb47aa5d4d

He had been 437b48e977 foolishly mistaken. He believed 8b4ab593b1 he needed fdb11d5049 to help 5ff403b9a4 Lane because 4feec5f99f he was e9cb231e9b his only b167699f5d human connection, 6750efe872 but Lane, 4334f2cb8e just like 1d6849e0b6 when they 0c9a9e924b were kids, 2b52da49d3 was doing 3fbfd66d20 fine without e92b00ed4f Sean. Being part of his d1d1cd16f9 world was just a a8edc638bd stroke of luck for 5044be25eb Sean, not because he b0d92fc244 was particularly meaningful or a4655f8280 special to Lane.fcbcbebc1af54246

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As bitter as it was, there was nothing Sean could do. People’s hearts can’t be controlled by others. Just like he couldn’t influence his parents’ decisions, most things flowed independently of Sean’s will. The only things he could decide were his grades or career, and beyond that, he could only refine his own heart.1c5386836a03e5a3

Resigned, he checked 5989a17dc4 the time. 6 PM. He thought about 1f3d98bbff who to call 0e9e304758 and decided Robert 0ae4856ad8 would be a 88c7f2f2cc good choice for c097f42eb4 mindless fun. Sending a DM 3f006b5e93 on Instagram, Robert aeda306eba quickly called back.b6749b882894e373

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—Hey, want to e618f7b4ee grab dinner?ca3b91e478c10e48

“Yeah. Are you free?”b2c7e3f0ad5f2d29

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—You’re always welcome. I’m on my way to Manhattan with Idris. Emily invited us for dinner at her apartment. Join us. Emily’s friends are coming too.2698c5076331d80a

Wow, Emily. She’s really quick. She seemed down earlier, but as soon as we parted, she called Idris.1c5e7b246636005e

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“Alright. What should I bring for drinks?”7dc0da20f7aa6b50

—The girls will probably drink White Claw, and I got a beer bundle. Just bring a bottle of whiskey or vodka. Emily’s preparing dinner.a0d71e488edb1a38

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“Perfect.”3b52f31586f3ba87

—See you cb7610dba9 in 20 3df755b6fa minutes.7320586f7b8f53a0

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With Robert’s cheerful words, the call ended. Soon, a DM with Emily’s address arrived, and Sean searched for a liquor store near her place. Fortunately, there were several liquor stores nearby. He hailed a taxi and headed to the Upper East Side.a2980aa76b773a48

Emily’s apartment was right in front of the Hudson River. Standing at the entrance guarded by a doorman, he pressed the buzzer, and Emily soon responded.3a8ef297983a6cf3

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—This is Emily 443ca75e6b Esther. Who is it?41f35041c2bc67f6

Amused by 5e28a2aef7 her demure cb357e9081 voice, Sean a068cdab94 replied with 0e3c57acd6 a chuckle.9c79387960354178

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“This is Idris Crayton.”bdfa220a5cb51e73

—Are you kidding 4fb733baa4 me?a3964b6dd78a1dd8

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Recognizing Sean’s voice, Emily’s tone flipped instantly. With acting skills like that, it wasn’t just pretense; it was practically a split personality.c1c727b460d4b26c

—Why are you here? You bailed bf70798189 earlier, saying 82696d0864 you had 8a6db00c00 plans.8794e25a73b90fe0

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“Those plans disappeared.”77602d73a8752558

—I don’t deal with people who ditch me. Get lost.89b048bfd88f016b

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“I’ll pass that message to Idris when he arrives.”ab3846849fb05238

—Come up. You need a6da6449a3 to get 7cda98b7c1 scolded.9d44e3c44fb16a40

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“Thanks.”6b7ef558dbf400cf

Emily’s angry voice ended the call, and the door opened. The concierge guarding the entrance asked Sean out of courtesy.01a5669876d81a9e

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“Where are you headed?”1e0ac782498bba49

“Emily Esther’s place.”071b02dcae058017

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“Ah, you’re a friend of Miss Esther.”c59e11cb60b74b83

“Yes. Not her boyfriend, though.”db04a1411f9bed20

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The woman with long brown hair styled elegantly gave Sean a friendly smile at his words. He added that to avoid any misunderstanding with Idris, but it seemed she mistook it for flirting. Although she looked about six years older than him, Sean had experience dealing with older women, so he wasn’t displeased and smiled back, brushing off the interest.f279a4a8e27476fd

“See you next time.”9fb5b3ee86503e02

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Sensing she might ask e689cb1b29 for his number, Sean 18b623fe16 quickly greeted her, and 5113d5f675 the concierge smiled brightly.05f01964e7efc966

“Have a good evening.”dab25461b69ea3b1

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Leaving behind the fingers waving gently, he quickly got on the elevator. Unlike old apartments, in these modern ones, you couldn’t press any floor other than the one the resident buzzed you in for. Pressing the 33rd floor, the penthouse, the elevator quickly reached the top floor. The rooftop floor had a gym and party room, with two penthouses divided into the south and north sides.1eaa7d639b92e96c

Emily was ec67bf337c waiting for f4fc8d0d67 him in 72bbaabe44 front of b1f267a020 the elevator. Unlike earlier, 1ddb01cda7 she had 3f464dcbbd removed her f37ce0f31f nails and 02dcf088a8 wore minimal bfebb7e910 makeup, looking 06f3044a7b plain. Her blue 758935d91f eyes, glaring 3061f72a75 at him ac0de33c93 with crossed 0749d5ba5b arms, were adf608203a cute.459051683b4f4c27

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Come to think of it, I’ve always said the girls I’ve met were cute.a1050b0f563d934c