"He's right," he says softly, looking off into the fire. "It's not just that. There's a lot... look, there's a lot I gotta tell you." He swallows hard. "Later."

Finally, achingly slow, he reaches out and touches Neil's cheek, smooth, pale skin where there had been an ugly bruise. He returns Tom's look, but it's only tired and sad. That's not what I meant. I'm sorry.