“I’m sorry, you’re doing what?”
I let out an exasperated sigh. I probably shouldn’t have waited until the first day of our Thanksgiving break to tell Theo about this, but I’m grateful he’s busy driving us and can’t study my face as I say it. “I’m going to be Jude’s fake boyfriend for her shitty family over Thanksgiving.”
Theo shakes his head but keeps his eyes on the road. “Dude, that’s not a good idea at all.”
“Why not? It’s the perfect idea.”
“Because what if you enjoy it?”
I swallow. “Enjoy what? Being a boyfriend?”
“BeingJude’sboyfriend.”
I trill my lips dismissively. “Dude, I’m ace.”
“I know, but you’re not aromantic.”
I stare at him, dumbfounded. “How do you–”
“I looked into it because I was curious,” Theo explains with a shrug. “Plus, Caleb and I worry about you. Just because you don’t feel sexual attraction doesn’t mean you can’t fall in love.”
Fuck. “Well, I guess my cover’s blown, huh?”
Theo sighs. “So, you are into Jude, aren’t you?”
“Deeply,” I grumble. “Like, head-over-stupid-heels.” I shake my head. “It’s so dumb. Of all the people in the world to fall in love with, why did it have to be them?”
He laughs. “I know how that feels.”
I groan. “At least Caleb liked you back. Jude isn’t into dudes at all.”
Theo doesn’t reply.
“And, even if they were, we wouldn’t really be…compatible.”
“What?” Theo scoffs. “You’re crazy. You guys are super compatible.”
Gazing out the window, I shake my head. “They’re allo, meaning the opposite of ace. They like sex. It wouldn’t work because I wouldn’t be able to…give them that.”
Theo is quiet for what feels like an eternity. “Have you told them how you feel?” he finally asks.
I snort. “Absolutely not. It would ruin everything.” When Theo doesn’t respond, I continue. “But it’s fine. The way I see it, I’ll get the lovey-dovey shit out of my system as their fake boyfriend for Thanksgiving, and then… well, and then I’ll figure out how to get over it. Try to crush on someone else. Maybe someone who’s also ace.”
“You know sex isn’t everything, right?” Theo asks. “As an allo person, yeah, I find sex great, but it’s not the only thing keeping Caleb and me together. Far from it.”
“Sure, but if Caleb suddenly decided one day that he didn’t want to have sex anymore, wouldn’t that change things?”
Theo’s brows furrow as he considers it. “I’m probably not the best person to ask because Caleb and I have been together for two years and have had lots of sex. On the one hand, it’s easy to say, ‘no way, we’d still be happy without sex,’ but on the other hand, of course it would change things because an establishedpart of our relationship would suddenly be gone. So, I don’t know.”
I sigh, fidgeting with my bead bracelet.
“But what I do know,” Theo continues. “Is that you’re an amazing person, Oliver. You have a huge heart and so much love to give. You’re sincere, compassionate, and supportive. You’re dependable and fiercely protective of those you care about, almost to a fault.”
I snicker.
“You’re the real deal, dude. And if someone views your asexuality as a flaw or a dealbreaker, they’re morons, and you deserve so much better.”
“Thanks, Theo,” I say softly, working hard to hide the emotion in my voice. “You’re right, but you forgot to mention that I’m also a ridiculously hot comedic genius.”
