Page 24 of The Masks We Break

Fifteen minutes. My length is now painfully hard, throbbing at the recollection of Remy’s lips pressed against mine. I haven’t allowed myself to think about it before, but now, I can’t stop the thoughts from barreling in. They were so soft, malleable, forming to mine as though they were made for me and me alone. The idea drives my pulse into overdrive, and whatever blood I have left shoots south.

Fuckkkkkk.

Twelve minutes. The skin beneath my left wrist is raw from readjusting my watch.

I grab my phone a little too hard and call Willow. I’m not a stupid man, but this has to be the dumbest shit I’ve done in three years. “Something has come up, Willow. We will need to postpone.”

Willow, the obvious right choice for me, sighs but responds accordingly. “Alrighty.”

The urge to throw my phone when I end the call is strong, but the lingering notification glues my hand in place.

It seems that no matter what I do, Remy will always be a distraction and will always keep me from doing what my impulses beg me to. It should bother me, grate my nerves and push me the other way. Yet, it does quite the opposite, and I find it rather intriguing.

With that admission, I open the damn email.

Remy Solace

[email protected]

Subject: Graded Response to Sci-Fi Paper 1-D.Humphrey

Mr. Bardot,

Please see attached document for your original submitted paper. As detailed in the syllabus, this assignment was to cover the subject material in your chosen book. Unfortunately, your paper was over the movie rendition, and in turn, only has some similarities to the published work and therefore has resulted in a failing grade. Should you rewrite the paper within 48 hours, I can consider it for an improved grade.

If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact me.

Thank you,

Remy Solace

Teaching Assistant

Dr. Renold M. Humphrey

Lit 1301

Of course, she’s read the book. I know her to only read romance, but in retrospect, it’s a popular book, and I should have realized the possibility of her reading it was high. Still, I can’t help but find it fairly entertaining. The fact she thinks I’ll read an entire book and write an absurd amount of words about it is mind-boggling.

I shouldn’t respond. I should take the grade and just do better on the next assignment, but my hands don’t seem to listen. Hell, even the thoughts of Willow disappear as I rub my chin.

That’s when I realize I’m smiling.

Fuck it.

Let’s have a little fun, puppet.

THIRTEEN

Three Years Ago

Generally speaking, I’m a very consistent person. I like pink, read too many books, and study on a strict schedule. Rarely do I decide to step outside of my comfort zone, make risky decisions, or alter anything about my appearance to appeal to the masses. I’m good with being an outsider, a nerd—the one who’s good in the mechanics of a project but never at the forefront.

Yet, here I am, showing a figure I’m not super comfortable in, at a party with people I don’t even know.

Why?

Because ofhim.

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