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It’s more than obvious that I would’ve never measured up to Brandon and his unconditional love for her since the very beginning. I pussyfooted around and didn’t make a move while he didn’t think twice about it. My hesitation came back to bite me in the ass, and now I have to live with that choice every day.
Brandon also eventually wants a family, and I have my own commitment issues to work through, which have only gotten worse since Lennon moved in. Though it fucking sucks she didn’t choose me, it’s probably for the best, or at least that’s what I keep telling myself. It could’ve ended badly with me hurting her, though I’d like to think I wouldn’t have. She’s a constant reminder that I’m not good enough, and how I’ll never be.
“There are no feelings.” Lies.
“Yeah, and Donny’s my secret life partner,” he replies, cackling. “You aren’t fooling anyone, especially not me.”
Savannah’s gay best friend, Donny, insists on calling me Beefcake. At first, it was insulting, but now I know it’s a compliment coming from him.
“HUNTER!” Lennon slams her fist on the door. “Do you have to be an insensitive asshole?”
“Oh fuck.” Hayden laughs hysterically. “You really pissed her off this time.”
I roll my eyes as I take a swig of my beer. “Seriously, what else is new?”
“Gonna let you deal with that. Call me later.”
“Will do.”
We say goodbye and hang up. I open my door with a shit-eating grin and wait for her to speak. Her face is beet red with eyes narrowing in on me.
“Would it kill you, just once, to be a decent human being? I was starving and wanted that damn sandwich!” She’s seething, and fuck if that doesn’t make me hard.
Tense as ever, I take a pull of my beer and watch her over the bottle. “Oh, was that sandwich for you?” I furrow my brows as if I’m genuinely confused. “Thought you were making that for me.” I shrug, knowing how angry she already is, but hell, I don’t care.
“Argh! You’re the literal worst, Hunter Manning!” She turns, her hips shimmying as she walks away.
“Well, feel free to leave anytime. Don’t let the door hit your ass on the way out!” I shout my usual retort whenever she’s freaking out about something. A nice little reminder that she can leave any goddamn time and no one’s stopping her.
“You need to grow the hell up!” she shouts after I shut my bedroom door. The walls are thin, so I hear every word that leaves her lips. She’s muttering curse words, calling me every name under the sun, and I smile in victory. Getting her worked up is another step toward getting her out of my damn head, though sometimes it almost feels like really hot foreplay.
Better to be under her skin than fantasizing about her being on top of me.
Chapter Three
Lennon
Monday and Tuesday flew by, but today drags. Seconds feel like minutes, and minutes seem like hours, and all I want to do is go home and be with Brandon. At lunch, I look over my salad, not feeling very hungry as I think about everything left to complete for the spring concert in a couple of months.
Over the past few days, I taught my students two new songs on their recorders, and they were enthusiastic and seemed to enjoy learning. I want this concert to go off without a hitch because it’s my first big program since I graduated and became a teacher. So much rides on its success, and it could determine if my contract is renewed or not, which is a big deal. I try not to think too far ahead in the future and live in the moment, but it’s hard when there’s so much to do in so little time. Being stressed at home because of Hunter and the dumb shit he constantly puts me through doesn’t help either.
As I take a bite of my salad, I think about how every grade from kindergarten through fourth will be performing together on the stage. I have to choose the songs for them to sing as well as music for them to play on the instruments, and I need to have it finalized by the end of the week. After Principal Maples approved my budget increase, I ordered the percussion equipment for the older kids, and thankfully, it’ll be delivered by the end of next week so we can start practicing. Once I’m finished eating, the bell rings, which means recess is over and my classroom will soon be full of little bodies. As I walk down the hall, I unlock my phone and see a text from Brandon.
Brandon: I love you, sweetheart. Hope you’re having an amazing day!
I instantly smile and send a message back.
Lennon: Love you too, baby. I wish you were here with me so I could sneak kisses.
