Ah, there’s the catch. “Nikki–”
“I’m just saying.”
“You were kind of rude to him tonight,” I remark. “He wasn’t doing anything wrong.”
Nikki groans. “I don’t want to argue about this all night, okay? I just… I have a sixth sense about these things. That boy wants you, and nothing you say will convince me otherwise.”
I shake my head, experiencing a weird sense of déjà vu. I want to explain that Oliver is asexual so that Nikki understands that Oliver isn’t a threat, but I know it’s not my place. I don’t think Oliver is out as ace to anyone but me, and I really don’t want to risk losing his trust.
But really, I shouldn’t have to work so hard to convince Nikki of anything. She should trust that even if Oliver was trying to pursue me, I’m committed to her. I wouldn’t cheat on her or leave her for someone else like that. It’s a little hurtful, if I’m being honest.
Finally, I sigh. “Yeah, I guess we’ll just have to agree to disagree about Oliver. But…” I take her hand and press it to my chest. “I hope you’re at least able to trust me.”
Nikki’s pale blue eyes study me with intensity, then soften. “Of course I trust you.”
“And I trust you.” I give her an earnest smile. “That’s what matters. Right?”
She returns my smile. “Yeah, I guess I’m a little paranoid. I just—I don’t know. I think it would absolutely wreck me if I lost another partner to a mediocre white man.”
My eyes widen as I recognize the self-doubt in her voice. Despite her stunning beauty, enviable ambition, and seemingly unshakable confidence, Nikki is still human and experiences insecurity like anyone else. Her behavior is finally starting to make sense.
I cup her jaw in my hand and swipe her cheek soothingly. “You’re not going to lose me to anyone,” I promise. “If anything happens to us, it’s not going to be because someone stoleme away, okay? You’ve got to have a little more faith in my autonomy than that,” I tease.
Nikki rolls her eyes, but her smile is sincere. “I know. Trusting people has always been hard for me. But I’ll work on it.”
Relieved, I smile. Nikki kisses my forehead, and I snuggle closer, releasing the tension throughout my body.
And, for the first time since we started dating three months ago, we drift happily to sleep, wrapped in each other’s arms, without having sex.
September 2023
“So, there’s something really important that I need to tell you guys, and I need you to keep it between us for now.”
A spicy blend of panic and confusion surges through my veins. “Wait, what’s happening right now?”
Elise punches me without warning, and I yelp. “Ow, what the fuck?!”
“I’ll make it quick, I promise,” Theo continues, a nervous smile on his face. “So, um, Caleb and I have been kind of…seeing each other for a few days now. Like. Romantically.”
Time slows to a stop. Terror grips my chest, and I’m paralyzed.
“YES!!” Elise squeals next to me, but Harrison and Theo quickly shush her. “Sorry, sorry. I knew it!! I called it, didn’t I, Harry?” More punching sounds that I can only assume are hitting Harrison this time, not me.
All I can think about are the rows upon rows of crosses lining the walls upstairs.
Theo’s a Christian. Theo’s parents are Christians.
Christians don’t take kindly to boys who like boys.
Oh, god. Theo’s parents are going to ship him away.
“Literally a week ago, I saw it at the pool, and I told Harry immediately, didn’t I, Harry?” Elise is still talking. “And he told me I was crazy! But you knew that I was on to you, Theo! You know that I knew something even then! We were supposed to have a conversation, remember? I told you this wasn’t over. Wow, I can’t believe it took you a whole fucking week to come clean!”
Theo’s church is going to banish him.
Theo’s parents are going to disown him.
He’s going to be so devastated. He loves that church. He loves his parents.
