Page 11 of A Really Gay Book
Maybe that was why I was outside his apartment. Maybe that was why I’d followed him home. To keep him safe in case he got swarmed yet again and to keep that devastating fear from appearing in his eyes once more.
It was only kindness that had me peering through his windows. Nothing more.
His mouth tasted like apples and cinnamon.
I wondered how many other people knew that too.
I pounded a fist against a nearby tree, causing a dead branch to break free and plummet to the ground. The entire situation was moronic. I was standing outside the guy’s house where anyone could catch me. It was shocking it hadn’t happened already. It was also shocking that the tree branch hadn’t knocked me out on its way to the ground.
Local gossip said that there was usually someone milling around hoping to catch Apple on his way in or out of his house. Honestly, I was lucky there wasn’t a line in front of me to peep on Apple.
I should leave.
I would leave.
Any minute now.
It was just… Apple was the only one who lived in his apartment, and it was something I hadn’t expected. I had always assumed he lived with half a dozen clingy sycophants who pampered him within an inch of his life.
Instead, he had a countless number of locks on every door—including the ones inside—and his windows had decorative bars on them made of steel.
He really did look lonely wandering from room to room.
Not that I cared.
It took another hour of skulking around Apple’s house before I was able to leave.
I decided to hit up the Thai restaurant on my way home. Since Apple was still in his house, there was a good chance the restaurant wouldn’t run out of everything but roti bread as soon as I got there. I’d never been a big fan of Thai bread and that was all they ever seemed to have left to eat when I went there.
It was amazing. They had everything. My table was crowded with every dish I could fit on it.
I stuffed Pad Thai into my face as fast as I could in case the table collapsed or someone whisked my food away, claiming they’d brought it to the wrong person. But nothing happened. I didn’t even choke on my food, and I was shoveling it in at a brisk pace.
I didn’t forget my wallet, the place didn’t get robbed, and the waiter wasn’t having a terrible day, so he didn’t ignore me for half an hour when I needed more water. It only took ten minutes.
What was going on?
As I left, I considered the possibilities. I could have stepped into an alternate universe. That would explain why Apple had suddenly transformed into a tolerable human being.
One who kissed like a fallen angel.
There was an insistent honk and a wave of muddy water splashed over me, drenching me from head to toe.
Oh, thank god. I was back in familiar territory. Maybe soon I would go back to hating Apple.
Did the rest of him taste like apples too?
Tomorrow morning, Apple would probably need someone to check in on him to make sure he wasn’t getting bothered by people again.
Since I’d already succeeded at it the last few times, I might as well be the one to do it again. Right?
I wasn’t being obsessive. I was being helpful.
ChapterFive
APPLE
That rat bastard Carl the Diner Guy would need to look over his shoulder for the next forever. Because I was going to kill him. Slowly. Painfully. I could probably get someone to do it for me for free if I asked nicely.
