Page 132 of Three Pucks and a Baby

She shook her head. “You’re running away from your feelings. Not just about Bennett, but with me too.”

“Dammit, Vivian, let me go.”

“I can’t.”

“Why the fuck not?”

“I told you that night in the library that I knew you were going to fail just like I was. Right now you’re failing big time.”

“That’s right. I’m just a huge fuck up, right?”

“If you don’t find a way to correct it, you will be.”

“Maybe this is just something you’re going to have to live with.”

Vivian shook her head. “No, Theo, I won’t. I can’t have someone so emotionally stunted in my baby’s life.”

“Oh, now it’syourbaby. What happened to it beingourbaby?”

“I’m his mother. He will always be mine first and foremost.”

Our raised voices brought Grayson into the living room. “What’s going on?”

“Theo is being an emotionally stunted prick to Bennett,” Vivian said as casually as if she was reporting the weather.

A maniacal laugh bubbled from my lips. “Vivian thinks I’m terrible because I won’t admit to loving Bennett.”

“Why won’t you?”

“Why? Because it’s a lie.”

Grayson shook his head. “Come on, man. I’m not blind.”

I threw up my hands. “And I’m not fucking gay!”

Grayson shrugged. “I didn’t say you were.”

“I’m not bi either. I love pussy. I always have, and I always will,” I replied lamely.

“Until you fucked Bennett,” he countered.

With a roll of my eyes, I protested, “And that was just sex.”

Grayson snorted. “You have to be attracted to someone to get it up. And before you can argue with me that you were hard because of Vivian, you can’t keep it up if you’re not in the mood.”

Tentatively, Vivian reached out to touch my arm. “You don’t find any other guys hot, do you?”

“Absolutely not.” Glancing at Grayson, I said, “I couldn’t get it up for you if my life depended on it.”

With a teasing smile, Grayson replied, “Just this once I’ll forgive you for the insult.”

An unexpected laugh tumbled from my lips. It felt so foreign considering how heavy-handed the conversation was. “I’llappreciate it.”

Grayson clapped my shoulder with his hand. “Look, man, I can’t fault you for falling for Bennett. He’s pretty fucking amazing.”

“Nice of you to acknowledge my feelings” I mused.

“And he’s totally good-looking. You know, for a dude.”

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