I offhandedly made the comment asking if they were getting a dog, and if that was the reason for it now. They’re shared, sly smiles made me giddy. My parents getting a dog would be awesome. I’d be talking Adam into bringing me home more often.
But this is what Adam has been missing, what he’s been secretly craving—that feeling of having a family. He doesn’t need to worry, though, because he has me now. And by default, that means he has my parents as well.
“Come to my room later?” Adam says quietly. Danielle and Thomas are too busy discussing their study plans for this week to see us conspiring over here.
“Yeah.”
His smile is bright. I have to fight the urge to lean forward and kiss him, repercussions be damned.
32
ADAM
Hunter has been staying in my room every night, only leaving to go to class and to his room to get clothes. It’s heaven, nothing compares to being with him. I don’t need to eat, drink, or sleep. The only thing I need is him.
Him and his cute, shy smiles. The scar on his upper lip, which he got from tripping and falling in middle school. The charcoal markings he gets on his face when he’s too focused on drawing to notice he’s rubbing his cheek. Watching him work on his bookmark business and creating these magnificent pieces that will be a small part of people’s everyday lives.
I’m so fucked, but that isn’t new. What is new is the deeper feeling coursing through me while I stare at him as he sleeps in my bed. The soft rise and fall of his chest, the cave in his ribs going low enough that I picture his heart resting perfectly, protected by the dainty bones of his body.
In the least sadistic way possible, I picture reaching in there and taking his heart for myself. He already owns mine, even if he doesn’t know it yet, and I’m too scared to say it.
I’ve never let myself be vulnerable like I have been with Hunter. A key lesson from my father was that other people makeus weak; caring about other people makes us vulnerable, not strong or capable. People hold us back.
But Hunter doesn’t hold me back, being with him makes me feel like I can fly. I’m invincible with him by my side.
My phone dings from the nightstand, and Hunter turns away from me. A slight snore escapes his mouth, and I have to hold back my chuckle.
Brittany:Halloween party next Friday after the fundraiser, you in?
I should be in, because everyone will be there. Tomorrow I’m going home with Hunter again to help his dad with the fence, and Hunter and his mom have plans. Something hush-hush that I can’t know about. Hunter’s face burned bright when I asked him, and no amount of kissing or hand jobs could get him to spill.
But by next weekend, Hunter will have broken up with Thomas, and I’ll have already talked to Danielle, if everything works out right. So it would be the perfect outing for us. Lowkey, with a few friends and a lot of the members from Zoey’s group. So plenty of people who won’t judge us for being two guys, holding hands and hanging out.
Adam:Wouldn’t miss it.
I’ve been avoiding her and Zoey, not on purpose, though. It’s just hard to split away from Hunter, and I’d rather not have to downplay my feelings any more than I already have to. Keeping it from Danielle is hard enough, but if I add in them, it’s a whole other story.
I want to be out, loud and proud for Hunter, in whatever way he needs me.
Brittany:Everything good? I feel like I haven’t talked to you in forever.
The guilt eats at me, ignoring her and Zoey wasn’t my goal, it’s just a side effect of this thing between me and Hunter.
Adam:Yeah, I’ve just been super busy. We’ll all hang out soon.
And then Hunter can come, too, repercussions be damned.
Brittany:Cool
Hunter opens my door, quickly closing it behind him until the lock engages. He whirls around, his bright smile and messy hair hidden underneath the backwards ball cap on his head. His rosy cheeks are flushed, and he’s slightly panting as he walks over to me.
I don’t move from my position on the couch, waiting for him to come and sprawl his body across mine. He’s touch-deprived, I can tell by the way he’s constantly needing my hand on him or wrapping himself around me.
I should hate it, I never liked anyone being in my space like this before, but with Hunter, I don’t mind. Even more than that, I crave it. Crave him. With his light touches and passionate kisses while we lay on my couch or on my bed. There’s never a moment I want to be without him.
“Guess what!” he says, standing in front of me, staring down at me with his beautiful brown eyes.
“What?” I reply, reaching out to wrap my arms around the back of his legs and dragging him closer to me.
