you get out if you've got the gripe

"Anything the matter, lad?"

"Well, ah..." Nothing for it. "I guess there is." How would the City folks say it? "You're...hot."

"Well, this suit is a mite stuffy, now you mention it..."

Triton clapped Lanz on the shoulder with his free hand as he pondered, and the Defender grimaced. Not exactly helping his case.

Eunie'd told him to get his own old man, when he'd mentioned planning to ask Gray about this snuffing "crush" (it made him want to crush something, that was for sure), and he'd replied that he was trying!

Swear, all he wanted was a hug...