Aliyah’s brown eyes sharpen, cutting right through me. “You’re being self-destructive, Mase. You keep pushing away help when it’s right in front of you.”
I stare down at my lap where Paul has taken residence, legs tucked under his body, sleeping soundly. I pet his rumpled fur to avoid Aliyah’s pestering stare. Her words settle in my chest, burning as I digest them.
Her fingers brush my arm, soft and gentle. “I’m saying this because I love you, Mase,” she adds, quieter now. “You need to understand that it’s okay to choose yourself sometimes.”
My voice scrapes up my throat, thin and unconvincing. “I know, and I love you too. I just—I don’t want to talk about it.”
Aliyah studies me for a long moment, like she’s not sure whether to push harder. Then, she sighs with defeat and presses play. The movie starts up again, the music filling the silence between us.
I keep petting Paul and munching on popcorn. I pretend I’m watching the screen, but all I can hear are Aliyah’s words echoing louder than the film.
Halfway through the movie, my phone buzzes against my thigh. I fish it out, shielding the glowing screen from Aliyah’s wandering eyes.
Hunter:Hey! What are you doing?
I smile to myself, running a hand over the cat in my lap.
Mason:cuddling w/ paul.
Hunter:…Who the hell is Paul??? You said you weren’t hooking up with anyone else?
Well, shit. He sounds legitimately upset. I quickly send him a picture of Paul sprawled across my lap, his half-matted fur sticking up in every direction.
Mason:meet aliyah's cat, paul
Three dots appear, then vanish. Then—
Hunter:I hate you.
Mason:were u jealous?
Hunter:No. He looks like he has rabies.
Mason:rude. ur just mad he’s in my lapinstead of u ;)
Hunter:Whatever. Do you have plans after hanging out with Aliyah?
Mason:nope. want me to come over? u can sit in my lap. ;)
Hunter:Yeah, sure. I’ll do a better job than Paul.
A laugh slips out before I can stop it.
Aliyah’s elbow nudges my stomach. “Let me guess. Hunter?” she asks.
I clear my throat, tucking my phone to my chest. “Maybe.”
She smiles knowingly before returning her attention to the movie, but I can’t focus. I shovel popcorn into my mouth, my molars grinding together with each bite.
Maybe Aliyah’s right. Maybe I don’t know how to choose myself.
But at least for the remainder of the summer, I can choose to have fun.
***
Not that Hunter was everbadat sucking dick, but throughout the summer, his skills have improved. He’s a quick study. When he sets his mind to something, he practices until he masters it—whether it’s academics or deep-throating me.
Right now, I’m sprawled on his couch with his head between my thighs, bobbing on my cock. My fingers curl in his hair, tugging gently, grounding myself in him.
