Page 73 of Speechless

“You just said you’re not getting back together with him. Why do you care so much if you don’t want him back?”

“We were together for ten years! And you literallyjustasked me if I was considering his offer.” Her open mouth lets me know she has no comeback this time. “Is he still here, in LA?”

“Yeah, he’s been staying with me, just until he decides what to do next. He lost his job and he’s kind of figuring things out, you know?”

Now it all makes sense. He needed me again. He didn’t think he made a mistake. He was just out of options. And now he’s what, crashing with Sarah waiting to see if I’ll take him back? I figure it’s not worth mentioning to her that I’ve had at least five texts from him a day since he showed up here, all professing his love. I’m not even sure if the open relationship is his idea or hers.

“I’m sorry, I must not be understanding things correctly. You came here thinking I was going to move in with you, when my ex-husband is currently staying at your place, and you’refuckinghim?”

“It’s not like I’m dating him, Lu! It’s just sex. You wouldn’t understand. You’ve never had casual sex. Actually, I bet it’d be good for you.”

“Yeah, I’m gonna need you to leave. I really have no desire to talk to you or see you ever again.”

She protests as I guide her toward the door. “Okay, but can you just tell me how you do the twist thing, it’s really important for hi—”

“Are you guys role-playing me or something? What iswrongwith you?”

“Luce, I’m sorry, you know I’ve always needed more attention than you do. You just don’t understand. You never have.” I’ve finally gotten her outside the front door, I can’t fucking listen to this anymore. “See! You’re being judgy again. Can’t you just get off your high hor—"

“Just shut up for a second, okay?” I let out a deep breath, trying to gather my thoughts. I’m angry but I think more than that I’m just . . . sad.

“Damnit, Sarah, you were mybestfriend, my family. Why are you doing this? Why now? I’ve always been okay taking the backseat in our relationship. Your life is glamorous and full of drama, and I was fine being the supporting role. That’s how much I loved you. But this year? You couldn’t give me one fucking year of being a good friend? Or I don’t know, just a decent human being?” She tries to cut me off, but I won’t let her, not this time. Besides, my questions are rhetorical. “You blow me off when I move here, foryou. You make a fucking joke of my marriage. I honestly don’t know who you are anymore. I’ve been missing you so much, but I’m not sure why. Get out of my life, okay?”

I slam the door in her face, and I don’t think anything in my life has ever felt better.

“Holy shit,that chick was crazy. And, like super hot, likestupidhot. But is she seriously banging your ex and asking you to live with her?” Jayce looks amused and excited, clearly enjoying the drama that is my life.

“Yup. That was Sarah.” I fall down on the couch and cover my face with my arms. “You guys are cool with me staying a while longer, right? I really don’t want to see her again.”

“I wish Adamma was here. She would have seriously fucked her up.” Everyone looks at Preston in shock; he never swears. He beams with pride just knowing hypothetically how protective his girlfriend is. I wish she was here too. I’m so happy to know I have a friend like her in my life now.

“As far as I’m concerned, you can stay forever, but there’s something I need you to do before we shake on it.” Graham scoops me up, takes my spot lying down on the couch and sets me on top of him. He grabs my legs and starts placing them in different positions. “Alright, love, show me how it goes. I’ve got to see this magic move of yours.”

The guys all start hollering with laughter, I think Jayce even falls onto the floor as I kick my way off of Graham’s body. I make the briefest eye contact with Henry and the expression on his face is nothing I’ve ever seen from him before.

He is undeniably smug.

* * *

After dinner tonight,Henry and I wordlessly make our way to my room and collapse on the bed, somehow perfectly parallel to each other.

“Hi.” A lazy smirk is painted on his face.

“Hi. Sorry about all the drama with Sarah. And thank you. For being so . . . you.” He eyes me quizzically. “Seriously. If it weren’t for you, I might actually be living with her. And even if I wasn’t, I’d probably be as unhappy now as I was the day we met. You brought me back to life, Henry.”

I watch his throat move but he doesn’t speak. We’re just . . . gazing at each other, so much unsaid between us. It’s been weeks since we slept together, but I can still taste him on my lips, still feel his hips rocking against me. We may not have spoken about that night together but I know it’s on both of our minds.

“Can I tell you something?” His expression has turned serious, and I mentally brace myself after giving him a nod of approval.

“I’m quite tired.” Tired? I’m physically and mentally exhausted, but his eyes are shining brightly. “I’m so tired of trying not to kiss you.”

Oh.

“So kiss me.” My words surprise me but they shouldn’t. I may pretend—even to myself—that I want to squash this thing between us, but every kiss we’ve shared runs on a constant loop in my head.

“I’m thinking about it.” He licks his lips and I see his eyes roam over my face, from my eyes to my mouth, to the bob of my throat. Why is he teasing me like this? I inch closer to him but he holds his hand out between us, lightly pressing into my chest.

“If I kiss you, will you run away? Go into hiding again?”

---