8.23 - 8.24 (Patreon)

I know we are all angry at Sooch right now but if you want the author's input, Sooch indicated through his internal dialogue in the beginning of the chapter that, even though the fair thing would be for him to tell the truth, he simply does not have the capacity to love Howie the way he needs to be loved atm. Even if he came clean, deep inside he is still closed off to the idea of being with a man. He really just needs to leave.