Page 46 of The Friend Scheme
I came out to him.
I still can’t believe I did that.
Now he really knows me, in a way I’ve never let anyone know me.
My phone lights up on the table beside me.
It’s from Jason.
Hey. I have the house to myself all Sunday, my parents are going to some wine-tasting thing. Want to come over?
Wait, his place?
I don’t want to talk to him about my family. At least not yet, until I’m completely sure he can be trusted. But still, going to his place feels like a big step in that direction, which I’m not sure about. Even though I like the thought of us being our own men, we aren’t. As much as I dislike it sometimes, I’m a Miller.
And he is whoever he is. It makes me doubt if I even can be friendswith him if he doesn’t know who I really am. We’re the sons of criminals. We’ll grow up to be fully-fledged members of the underworld. If we even survive that long. At any second, either one of us could be shot and killed by a Donovan. I know that for sure now.
I read his text again.
A part of me thinks I should wait a while before responding. I want him to think I’m, like, busy or something, not just waiting around for him to message me. But he’s seen that I’ve read the message. Which means I can’t do that anymore. Once a message has been read, only an asshole doesn’t reply. I start typing.
Hey! I’d love that!
Sweet. You could come over at around twelve, if that works for you?
Sounds perfect!
When I reach Jason’s house, I sit out front and gape.
It’s a stunning mansion, with white walls, enormous windows, and a few sections of slate gray. The front lawn is massive and perfectly kept. His family is clearly loaded, which for some reason I wasn’t expecting.
He might even have more money than me.
Which is cool. Just… unexpected.
I go up to the front door and text him:Hey, I’m here.
My phone lights up immediately.
I’ll come grab you, give me a sec.
I scroll Instagram on my phone until the door opens. He looks so good, I’m at a loss for words. He’s in a black tank and gray shorts and is wearing a silver necklace with a circle pendant.
His arms are exposed. I can’t help but notice them. His biceps are nicely muscled.
“Hey, you,” he says, and then he hugs me.
It lasts for a while. I like it.
“I can give you a tour of the place, if you want?” he asks as he breaks away from me.
“Sure.”
Jason goes back in. I linger outside.
“Want me to take off my shoes?” I ask.
“Don’t worry about it.”
