Page 130 of I Wanna Text You Up

He swallows loudly. “I gotit.”

I don’t let himgo.

“You know I’m not asking you to give your family up, right? That’s not what I meant about you being between two worlds. It wasn’t me giving you an ultimatum. I’m worried foryou, for them, and kind of worried about us and what that could mean for ourfuture.”

“I like it when you say words likeourfuture.”

“Caleb…”

“I know,” he says, pressing his forehead to mine. “But Ihaveto. If I don’t put my foot down and do something about it now, I won’t ever do anything about it and I’ll keep adjustingmylife to meet their needs. I can’t and won’t do that. I’m getting ready to graduate college. I have a future to think about. I can’t keep letting them drag me back to my past. I’m doing this for me, for us, and forthem.”

“You’re a good man, Caleb.” I push at his chest. “Now make me food. I’m famished and you’re on my shitlist.”

“What?”

“Oh yeah, you’re still introuble.”

“Iam?”

“Yep.” I nod. “But you’ll be able to make up for it with lots and lots of nights spent in bed…or on the couch. The kitchen floor, the shower, thetable…”

“But we don’t have atable.”

I shrug. “The counter workstoo.”

“Are you trying to have sex with me,Zoe?”

“Not right now. Right now, you’re going to finish making mebreakfast.”

“I thoughtyouwere the breakfastqueen.”

“Yeah, but it’s part of yourpunishment.”

He squints at me, not trusting my words. “Okay…”

“Great!” I clap my hands together. “Nowstrip.”

“Excuseme?”

“Did youfart?”

He falls into a fit of laughter. “I’m going to regret teaching you that, I just knowit.”

I snap my fingers. “I don’t see anystripping.”

“Are you beingserious?”

“As a fucking heart attack.” I sweep past him and down the hallway. “I’ll be taking my breakfast inbed!”

I hear the click of the burner being turned off andgrin.

“Oh, me too,” he promises as his footsteps thunder behind me. “Metoo.”

* * *

Me:DID YOU SERIOUSLY GHOST ON MEAGAIN?

Me:AFTERSEX?

---