I glance up from my desk, halfway through the most mind-numbing homework ever. Niko, of course, has to make his entrance. God forbid he let me finish in peace.

"Gee, thanks for the death scare. Please don’t tell me you’ll start stripping..." I mutter, half joking, half praying.

Niko starts stalking toward me, his eyes narrowed like he’s about to chew me out. Typical.

"Don’t you dare, Gareth, or I swear I’ll tell Aunt Rai about your annoying habits—"

I’m ready to retort, but then he says it.

"Have you ever been attracted to men?"

The words hit me like a bucket of cold water. I blink, and it takes every ounce of willpower not to flinch. I drop my pen, exhaling a little too loudly.

"What are you talking about?" I try to keep my voice steady, but my throat’s suddenly dry.

"You’ve always fucked women," Niko presses, "but have you done that because you feel you have to, due to peer pressure and society’s idea of ‘normal,’ or because you actually want to?"

"What is this about?" I stand up too quickly, crossing my arms like that’ll help. "What did you hear?"

"What should I have heard?"

My stomach twists, and I feel it—that slip, the microsecond where my mask drops. He sees it. Of course, he sees it. He steps closer, invading my space.

"So? What? Tell me. Tell me! What should I have heard?"

"Stop doing that shit," I snap, pushing him back. "Back off."

"Not until you answer my question."

I rub a hand over my face, hating every second of this. "I love women. Happy?"

"And men?"

"I don’t know!" I say it too fast. His eyes catch mine, searching, always searching. I clear my throat. "Could be. Why are you even asking?"

"I’m testing something. When did you discover you like men?"

"I don’t like men. Jesus." I stride to the door, slam it shut, and lean back against it, crossing my arms. "I’m not sure. I don’t know. I love women, okay? But..."

"But what?" Niko moves closer,. "What changed your mind?"

"I didn’t change my mind," I snap. "And stop with the creepy intense look. You’re freaking me out."