"No," he answers honestly. "I like Tim."

Then, still honestly: "I didn't mean to hurt him."

I was so scared. He almost says it, but... it doesn't feel right. It feels like something somebody else would say, or... or like it happened to somebody else. He lets the confession die before it ever leaves his tongue.

Jeff grins, suddenly perky. "I'll let him punch me, and everything'll be fine."