Page 48 of Theoretically Straight

My cereal hits the bowl like rain on a tin roof. “You were already passed out when I got home last night. I could hear you snoring down the hall.”

Dad laughs, rubbing the gray spot in his goatee. “Guilty, but you see how early I had to get up. Were you hanging out with Wren?”

I nod because it’s technically not a lie as I debate telling him the whole story. But for one reason or another, I decide that it’s best to keep Theo close to the chest for the time being, just in case things end up getting messy. No need to drag Mom and Dad into the drama if I can avoid it.

The milk washes over my sugary cereal, and I pat my pocket, realizing that I’ve left my phone upstairs. I set the bowl down on the corner of the table, wedging some space free from the mountains of paperwork.

“Hey, Dad, did you ever go to church growing up?”

Dad looks up from his tablet again, his thick brows furrowed enough that the lines on his forehead sink in. “Church? Yeah, a few times. Holidays, mostly, and it was only because your great-grandmother would guilt my parents into taking us. Why do you ask?”

“Uh, Freddy is interested in a guy who’s pretty religious,” I say, once again convincing myself there’s just enough truth in my words to not be considered outright lying. “But I’m not sure it’s a good idea. I mean, the guy isn’t out or anything, obviously, and although Freddy’s picked up some vibes, neither of them have explicitly brought up the possibility of them getting together.”

“Hmm…” Dad ponders, tilting his head. “That’s a difficult situation. But I think the best thing would be for Freddy to be clear and honest about his intentions. If he really likes this guy, it’s better to clear the air of any confusion first. That way, if the other boy isn’t ready to take that step, or if lines have gotten crossed and he doesn’t feel the same way about Freddy, things don’t have to turn awkward.”

He makes it sound so simple. Is that what I should do? It would first require me to admit how I actually feel about Theo in the first place. I think it’s safe to assume I’ve hit the point of crushing. But I also really enjoy him as a friend, too, which means if I mess this up, I could ruin a new friendship.

God, why does everything have to be so complicated?

“Tell Freddy I hope things go well with his new friend,” Dad says, grabbing his tablet and collecting his oatmeal bowl. “I might be late tonight, so good morning, good afternoon, and if I don’t see you, good night.”

I grin as he kisses me on the head, then drops his dishes in the sink and heads for the door to the garage.

My cereal is getting soggy, so I scarf down my breakfast, constantly reaching for the phone that isn’t in my pocket. I dump the remnants of my milk into the sink and head back upstairs to find my phone in the space between my nightstand and bed frame. It’s still super early, but I’ve got a text from Theo.

Theo

hey Caleb - look, I’m sorry about last night if I made things weird. the movie just kind of freaked me out and that’s embarrassing lol. but hey, I know it's last minute but do you want to come over to swim this afternoon? a few of my friends will be there and we’ll probably order pizza or something for dinner, maybe play video games after it gets dark. you know, just chillin :)

Well, at least I know I didn’t scare him off. He still wants to spend time with me. That means something, right? But is it in an “I like hanging out with you, bro” way or an “I want to hold your hand and maybe make out with you in the basement” kind of way?

Great. Now all I can think about is Theo’s stupid face and how his lips pull tight when he’s trying not to laugh, or the way his eyes crinkle when he smiles every time I walk into the freaking room, or what it would feel like to wrap my arms around his waist and pull him close…

Caleb

hey, no worries. yeah the movie was intense, I totally get it. this afternoon sounds fun. I’ll have my sister drop me off.

*gif of guy on unicorn float*

I hop back in bed, pulling the covers over my head as I open TikTok. Maybe after a little scrolling, I can at least get another hour of sleep.

* * *

“Jesus, you weren’t kidding about this place, were you?”

Lola shifts her car into park, pulling her sunglasses down to stare up at Theo’s house. It was surprisingly easy getting her to agree to bring me over on such short notice. Mom had a lunch date with a friend from college, and of course, Dad is on set today. But Lola was more than glad to take any excuse to abandon her paperwork.

“I know, right? If the pool is half as nice as the home theater set up, it’ll be bougie as fuck.”

Lola snorts a laugh. “Well, just text me when you guys start winding down, and I’ll swing by.”

“You’re the best, Lo. And you’re sure I’m not ruining any of your plans?”

“In case you haven’t noticed, Cal, I have no life. I’ll be at home, slogging through piles of depositions and, if I’m lucky, starting on the homework that’s due tomorrow morning.”

“God, your life sucks.”

Lola rolls her eyes with a smile. “Tell me about it.”

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