Page 16 of A Layperry's Hope
Ghenie and I haven’t sat down and talked about what’s going on between us. We move around like we’ve been living together for years. We share soft words, gentle barely there touches, smiles. We’re coparenting like we’ve been a team since the start. But that’s all that’s happening. So far, we’ve been keeping emotional distance from each other. I get it, I really do. Am I even ready to venture into something more?
“So,” Miles says, letting the word stretch out until I groan with annoyance. “What’s going on with you and Ghenie?”
“Nothing,” I say right away, more out of habit than anything else.
“That’s a lie. You two are fucking.”
“We’re really not.”
“You two used to fuck.”
“Still wrong.”
“Jesus, Christian. Give mesomethingto go off? Or should I keep guessing until I figure it out?”
I groan, covering my face with my hand. “You’re not gonna let this go, are you?”
“Nope. I’ve given you space, it’s time for you to spill the tea.” Miles puts his hand on my shoulder, giving it a squeeze. “How the fuck do you expect me to be here for you when I don’t even know what’s going on?”
“You could just leave me to my misery?”
“Can’t do, bestie. Spill.”
If I had a pillow I would press my face against it and scream. So much for just spending a little time with my friend before going back home to start dinner. Now I’m expected to talk about my feelings. It’s practically gag inducing.
“We fucked one time.”
“Really? Just once?”
“Yeah. The night before I left.”
“Oh shit,” Miles says, blowing out a long breath. “That must have been awful for both of you. One night together and then you’re gone.”
“Nah, it was a walk in the park. I’m all about that hump and dump lifestyle.”
Miles slaps the back of my head and I laugh, rubbing the spot he just smacked. “Shut the fuck up, Christian.”
“Okay, okay,” I say, holding up my hand in surrender. “Yes, it was hard. Obviously. It’s still hard and I’m not talking about my dick.”
Miles raises his hand like he might hit me again. He narrows his eyes before placing it in his lap instead.
“What’s going on now? You’re obviously living together. Seems like you’ve worked things out for co-parenting Maribel. Where does that leave the two of you? Are you liketogether?”
“Yeah, we’re going steady. I think I’ll be taking him to prom this year.”
Miles smacks me again and yeah, okay. I totally deserved that one. “I swear to god.”
“We’re not together,” I tell him. “We’re settling into a routine.”
“Okay,” Miles says slowly. “And do youwantto be together?”
Do I? Do I want to cross that line again? Do I want to do things differently this time, giving him my heart instead of just my body?
I know the answer and it terrifies me.
“Yes,” I say softly, just barely above a whisper. “Yeah, Miles. I fucking do. Fuck me, right? I’m a mess of a person. I’m an ass. I don’t let people in, but fuck me, I want Ghenie in every way he’ll let me.” My mouth snaps shut and my body goes tense. I turnaway from Miles, covering my face with my free hand. “Can we pretend I didn’t say all that? I will literally pay you.”
“You babysit for me next time I want a date night and you have a deal.”
