The Faults In Our Stars

I nudged my head into his shoulder.
“Thanks for offering to come over.”
“You realize that trying to keep your distance
from me will not lessen my affection
for you,” he said.
“I guess?” I said.
“All efforts to save me from you will
fail,” he said.
“Why? Why would you even like me?
Haven’t you put yourself through enough of
this?” I asked, thinking of Caroline Mathers.
Gus didn’t answer. He just held on to
me, his fingers strong against my left arm.
“We gotta do something about this frigging
swing set,” he said. “I’m telling you, it’s
ninety percent of the problem.”