He slumps down onto the couch and lets his head fall back. Darrek stands in the middle of the room watching through the window as Trace drives away. “How much of that did you hear?” Gabriel asks. “A good amount. Were you guys... was Trace someone that you... you know....” “It’s complicated,” he sighs. “Look... you have to understand something. With our line of work... doing what we do... did... every fuckin’ day... for years upon years... you get kind of desensitized to some stuff. Not the important stuff, but... I’ve always had trouble finding people I trust to be with. I have needs, though. Everyone needs... affection... once in a while.” “So, you were ‘affectionate’ with Trace?” “In a way... it’s not like I love him or like he was my boyfriend. He’s... he’s Trace. He’s a good, loyal friend. But yeah... I mean... we’re just talking like a hand release here and there.
