(Steve assumed as much. They didn't exactly have that may options in the matter to begin with. It all boiled down to no one finding out Jonathan's actual motive. For the safety of himself and his family. It's the best Steve could come up with right now when his mind was already racing from everything else that had been presented into the open. Barb's disappearance, Nancy's infatuation with Jonathan, monsters in fucking Hawkins. 

Byers has a crush on him. 

Jesus Christ. )

Maybe we can figure something else out later? When we can actually focus and think.

(When they aren't in the middle of a monster hunt. He lets out an annoyed sigh as Jonathan continues to go on about Nancy. Steve wants to believe that she'll want to get back together with him because she truly wants too but deep inside his gut he fears that's not her true intentions.)

Only because you might not be an option. She's-

She fucking likes you....