100 Ways
81. Sweet dreams.
Eddie pulled up outside of Barry's house and turned the car off.
"We're good?" Barry asked after a beat.
"We're not one hundred percent," Eddie said, "but we're okay."
Barry nodded.
"I need some space, though," Eddie continued. "Would it be okay if we just see each other at work for like a week?"
"Okay," Barry answered, heart squeezing painfully. "I understand."
"Remember, I don't hate you. I still choose you. I just need some time to work through this."
"Yeah, I get it."
"Okay." Eddie nodded, staring out the windshield. "Thank you for telling me. I don't think I've said that yet."
"Even though it caused all this?" Barry asked.
Eddie laughed a little. "Especially because it called all this," he answered. "A secret like this could've torn us apart if it festered much longer."
Barry nodded. "I should've told you sooner. I should've told you first thing."
"Yeah, you should've, but I don't want to dwell on that."
"I'm so sorry."
"I know," Eddie said, turning toward him and smiling softly. "See you at work tomorrow?"
"Yeah." Barry unbuckled his seatbelt and reached for the door handle.
"Sweet dreams," Eddie said.
"Only if they're of you," Barry replied.
Eddie laughed, then leaned forward. Barry met his lips in a brief, soft kiss that made Barry's heart ache. Then Eddie pulled away, still smiling, and Barry got out of the car. He watched Eddie drive away, then walked toward the house with Eddie's words echoing around in his head: A secret like this could've torn us apart if it festered much longer.
Two secrets down, one to go.