Page 89 of Roleplay at Randy's
Fine. Squirt can stay. But axe the sweetheart.
Riley
You got it, squirt. Now what are you worried about messing up?
How the hell could I have expected talking with Riley being anything but natural? I can feel the distance between us like an endless chasm, but the familiarity serves as a rope bridge we both hold the ends of.
Me
This sort of non-relationship relationship I’m in.
Riley
Oh, Matty.
You know you deserve better than that.
I losetrack of the conversation for a minute when Cal pulls me into the living room to change the TV, and when I get back to the counter, there’s another message waiting.
Riley
You do know that, don’t you?
Me
This isn’t like me and you. It was an agreed upon non-situationship thing.
Riley
So who caught feelings? You or him?
Me
I can hear you sighing all the way from here. Stop it.
Me
Me. Lots of feelings. Hockey arena full of feelings. But I think it’s mutual.
Riley
You think?
Me
I’m like 90% certain. Please hold.
I open the photo roll on my phone and scroll to the picture Elias and I took last night.
We’re both shirtless, lying in bed. I’m in the crook of Elias’ arm that’s wrapped around my waist. His other hand is fingering my braid draped over my shoulder. My hand is splayed across his abs, my face tipped up toward him with a soft, peaceful smile. His forehead rests on mine, the tips of our noses touching. My eyes are closed, but his are open, watching me with the sweetest adoration.
I’ve wanted to make it my phone background, but I haven’t been able to pull the trigger yet. I want him to officially be my boyfriend first. Because I want him to know it’s a real gesture of how much I care about him. That I want the two of us front and center in my life.
I send the photo into the chat and wait.
A few minutes pass, and I worry that it was maybe too intimate a thing to share with my ex-boyfriend, but then his message comes through and the worry dissipates.
Riley
