Well... [Craft your words carefully, Newendyke.] I told him he's gotta know the guy a little first. A guy who doesn't care if he gets a number or not is a guy who's got nothing to lose. If you care about keeping this man around you gotta know what he's like. You gotta get an idea if being friends, acquaintances, whatever, is still an option.

[Sluuuurp his soda.]

I told him a lot of stuff goes into a decision like that, especially for a guy who likes another guy who might not like other guys. You don't wanna hurt anybody and you don't wanna get hurt either. Nobody's life should have to take a hit just cause some boy's got a crush.

[Freddy's cheeks grow hot with some mild embarrassment.]