"Fred, I..." But she was turning away from him and Hayden stopped himself. "I swear, no more lies, okay? I'm an open book now. Ask me anything. I just, I just want to still be your friend. I..."
Again Hayden stopped himself. He took a slow breath and let it out. "I like you." And then quickly he added, as reassurance. "And I know anything remotely relationshippy is off the table now because of..." my dick "things changing, but I just like you, okay? I want to stay friends and I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I was stupid."