“Can’t do, bestie. Spill.”
If I had a pillow I would press my face against it and scream. So much for just spending a little time with my friend before going back home to start dinner. Now I’m expected to talk about my feelings. It’s practically gag inducing.
“We fucked one time.”
“Really? Just once?”
“Yeah. The night before I left.”
“Oh shit,” Miles says, blowing out a long breath. “That must have been awful for both of you. One night together and then you’re gone.”
“Nah, it was a walk in the park. I’m all about that hump and dump lifestyle.”
Miles slaps the back of my head and I laugh, rubbing the spot he just smacked. “Shut the fuck up, Christian.”
“Okay, okay,” I say, holding up my hand in surrender. “Yes, it was hard. Obviously. It’s still hard and I’m not talking about my dick.”
Miles raises his hand like he might hit me again. He narrows his eyes before placing it in his lap instead.
“What’s going on now? You’re obviously living together. Seems like you’ve worked things out for co-parenting Maribel. Where does that leave the two of you? Are you liketogether?”
“Yeah, we’re going steady. I think I’ll be taking him to prom this year.”
Miles smacks me again and yeah, okay. I totally deserved that one. “I swear to god.”
“We’re not together,” I tell him. “We’re settling into a routine.”
“Okay,” Miles says slowly. “And do youwantto be together?”
Do I? Do I want to cross that line again? Do I want to do things differently this time, giving him my heart instead of just my body?
I know the answer and it terrifies me.
“Yes,” I say softly, just barely above a whisper. “Yeah, Miles. I fucking do. Fuck me, right? I’m a mess of a person. I’m an ass. I don’t let people in, but fuck me, I want Ghenie in every way he’ll let me.” My mouth snaps shut and my body goes tense. I turnaway from Miles, covering my face with my free hand. “Can we pretend I didn’t say all that? I will literally pay you.”
“You babysit for me next time I want a date night and you have a deal.”
“Fine,” I say with a sigh. “Speaking of date night, you and Timalah gonna make me another godbaby?”
“He keeps trying to get me pregnant but it just won’t stick,” Miles says, completely serious. I sputter before letting out a long, hearty laugh. God, I’ve missed Miles so much while I was back on Earth. It’s so good to be back with him.
“I wish I’d never asked.”
“You’ll understand when you’re older,” Miles says, patting my shoulder.
I finish my brown tea and hand the cup over. “I should head back and start dinner.”
“Ghenie will make a houseboy out of you yet.”
“It’ll be a cold day in hell before I let someone call me their houseboy,” I say with a grumble, standing up and dusting off my pants. “Love you or whatever. Bye.”
I walk away before Miles can respond. He tries to yell something back but I cover my ears as I walk across the road over to my house. Before I walk inside, I turn around and flip him off for good measure.
The house feels weirdly empty without Ghenie and Maribel here. I thought having the place to myself would leave me feeling peaceful and content, but instead, all I do is miss them, counting the hours until they’ll be back.
I get straight to work making dinner. I put some type of poultry-like meat into the oven to bake and then chop veggies for a salad. It keeps my hands busy but doesn’t do anything to settle my mind.
Thankfully, I don’t have to be lost in my thoughts for too long before Ghenie is walking through the front door, calling out for me as he comes inside.
