Page 4 of The Plan

I almost ignore his comment but then turn to him. “So all I need is for a doctor to sign off?”

He eyes me, and then realization crosses his face. “Yes, but don’t get any ideas.”

“Have a great day, Jackson.” I give him an innocent smile and get into my car, but he stops me from closing my door.

“This is your career on the line, Sire.” I roll my eyes at him but stay quiet.Doesn’t he think I know that?“I’m harassing you for your sake, not for kicks.” He takes a step back, letting me close the door, then taps my car twice before walking off. I don’t immediately drive off and sit in thought.

Maybe I should go bac—

No. I’ll figure something out, and I’ll be able to play.

Chapter Two

Sire

There’s my favorite person!”

August looks around the room, and when he realizes that it’s just us and I’m clearly talking about him, the biggest smile grows on his face. I smile at the way his eyes light up. I swear, his eyes are so green that they practically shine against his dark skin. He gets up from his couch, closing the distance between us.

“Me?!” Before I can even reply, he throws his arms around me, bringing me in for a hug. I let him hold me for a second before I tap his back twice and pull away.

A look of relief flashes across his face when I break our hug, and I’m confused for a second before I remember we haven’t talked much since I sort of punched him in the face earlier this week. “No, I’m not mad at you anymore. Don’t make it a big deal. It was just a hug.”

I don’t give him a chance to reply and quickly walk off to his couch. He’ll make this all sentimental if I let him, so I don’t. He walks over and sits next to me, but I scoot over because he’s too close.

When he moves over to get closer, I let out a sigh but stay put. He’s so fucking clingy. “I missed you.”See what I mean?

“August. It’s been three days, and we spoke all of those days because you wouldn’t fuck off.”

His laughter fills the room, and I roll my eyes at him before letting out a laugh of my own at the sound of his. I swear he has the same little laugh from when he was nine. When his laugh sobers, he turns to me with a thoughtful look. “You’ve been mean the last few days, so yes, I missed you.”

I let out a sigh at his soft tone. He always does find a way to make me feel guilty for being a dick. “I’m sorry I punched you.” He turns his head to the side, like a puppy who’s expecting more. “And for not coming over or letting you in next door the last three days,” I mumble, and another one of his smiles covers his face.

August and I are neighbors since, like I said, he’s clingy as fuck. When he came to see my condo and noticed the only other condo on this floor was empty, he, of course, moved in, but we may as well still live under the same roof with how much I’m over here or he’s next door at my place.

I was heated that he didn’t tell me a certain someone was back, but I was a bit extra for hitting him and felt bad.

“All is good.” He stretches his arm around me as he rests his legs on the huge bean bag in front of us. While most people, normal people, have coffee tables in front of the couches in their living rooms, August has a huge orange bean bag.

He claims he couldn’t pick between a couch or a giant bean bag, so, of course, he got both. I’m about to throw his arm off of me, but I let him leave it there so he can get enough of me since he claims he “missed me.”

“Do you remember when you would forge signatures for people whose parents forgot to sign their permission slips?”

“Yeah.” He smiles at the memory. “Easiest money I’ve ever made.” It was also the longest time he’d been grounded, but I don’t mention that bit.

“You still any good at it?”

A small smile grows on his face, and he reaches for the random paper beside him and a pen on the floor. He writes something, and when he shows me, my jaw gapes as I stare atmysignature.

I shake my head and smirk as I take the paper from him, studying it. “You have talent, kid,” I project in an old man's voice, and he throws his head back with a laugh. “No, all jokes aside, this is so cool.” And I am so glad he can still do this.

I pull the paper from my back pocket and hand it to him. “Try Vidia’s.” I keep my voice casual, but a crease grows in his brows when he looks down at the paper. He unfolds it, and I don’t even bother to stop him because he’s already reading it.

“This says you’re cleared to play.” His face lights up, and he looks over at me, but I can see the exact moment when the realization hits. His eyes go dull, and he looks so… betrayed.

“August…”

“You’re an asshole, man.” He tosses the paper onto my lap and scoots down all the way to the other end of the couch, crossing his arms. I let out a sigh, but when I open my mouth to respond, he beats me to it. “Am I even your favorite person?”

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