He swallowed.
“Because the guys on my team wouldn’t stop talking about them.”
“I know that part. But why did you tell me to change?”
Tyler rubbed his hands together.
“They’ve been making jokes about my skin for a long time. I hate it when people stare at my arms.”
He slowly pushed one sleeve upward, showing the irritated patches on his forearm.
Emma looked at him gently.
“So you thought they’d stop teasing you if I shaved?”
He nodded.
“I thought they’d leave us alone.”
“But they were bothering you before we even started dating.”
Tyler fell silent.
Daniel leaned forward.
“Tyler, may I ask you something?”
“Yes, sir.”
“How would you feel if Emma said she was embarrassed to hold your hand because of your skin?”
Tyler’s cheeks reddened.
“Pretty awful.”
“And if her friends made jokes about you, what would you hope she’d do?”
