Page 81 of Genesis

“Some in the bag,” he says. I shut the door and prepare my biscuit before heading into the living room to watch some TV. Hale joins me moments later, setting his coffee down and looking at his food.

“Something wrong?” I ask.

He sighs, clearing his throat and looking slightly uncomfortable. “So, this prom thing. What are your plans after?”

I shrug. “We don’t really have any.” I take a bite of my biscuit, wiping mustard from the side of my mouth with my finger before licking it off.

He nods, still staring at his food.

“You gonna eat it or look at it all morning?” I ask with a smirk.

He looks at me.

“Dude, what is up with you?”

He exhales again. “Look, I remember prom. I remember the parties and the drinking, and I remember what every guy in the place had on his mind for after.”

Oh God.

“Danny is older than you. But you’re both grown now. Well, legally anyway. Don’t let him pressure you into anything you’re not ready for.”

“We’re talking about sex here, right?” I ask, grabbing a napkin he brought in.

“Obviously,” he says with an eye roll.

I smirk. “Uncle Hale, that ship has sailed.” He lifts a brow. “Come on. You’re not stupid. Danny and I have been dating for like two years now. I’m eighteen, for heaven’s sake.”

“So?” he says. “Some people do this thing where they wait for marriage.”

I toss the napkin onto the table. “Well, sorry to say, I’m not some people, and I’m sure you aren’t either,” I say with a lifted brow, knowing full well he and Trinity are sleeping together.

He looks back to the table like he was hoping for a different response.

“Are you disappointed?” I ask.

“You’re careful, right? I mean, I know you’re on birth control, but you’re extra careful, right?”

“Yes,” I lie.

“Good. Then no, I’m not disappointed. I just would hate for you to get pregnant by that…”

I narrow my eyes.

“Come on, Bexley. You know as well as I do what Danny looks like, and I’ve heard rumors about the boy.”

“Danny loves me, Hale. And I love him. If anything like that were to happen, he wouldn’t leave me alone with it.”

“You can never be too sure about these things. I saw it several times growing up. It’s all fun and games until life gets real, and then people bail.”

“Look, let’s not worry about that, okay? And please, don’t listen to the rumors. Danny may have a certain look about him, but he’s not a bad guy.”

“He hassinnertattooed on his arm, Bexley.”

I shrug. “Aren’t we all?”

He shakes his head. “I just don’t like the kid. I’ve tried, but you can do better.”

This hurts me. In life, we want the people we love to accept the people we love, and when they don’t, it puts a strain on both relationships. I know how Danny looks to the world, and at times, the stares from strangers really piss me off, but I try not to care because I know Danny doesn’t. I know we love each other enough for it not to matter what everyone else thinks. But no matter how much you tell yourself that other people’s opinion of you is their business, it still stings a little deeper than it should.

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