Page 5 of Ruined

“Why?” I ask. Not that I’d planned to.

“Ask Nico.”

Nico rolls his eyes and grumbles something unintelligible. I raise a brow, wondering what the hell this is about, but I’m also content enough to just sip my drink and sink further into the sofa. It’s very comfy.

Luca turns to me. “Anyway, if you want to bring someone home with you, like I said, just tell us first.”

“Speaking of bringing people home… What is your type?” Nico asks. He looks bored, as if he doesn’t care either way, but there’s a glint in his eyes that reveals his genuine curiosity.

I think I’m starting to figure this guy out. Maybe living with him won’t be so bad.

“Didn’t I tell you to stop flirting?” Luca asks.

“I’m not flirting, just talking shit.”

“You’re making him uncomfortable.”

“You’re making him uncomfortable with that ridiculous outfit.” He gestures at Luca’s crop top and booty shorts that don’t leave much to the imagination. “Are you really going out like that? You know people will gawk at you, right?”

Luca throws his head back dramatically. “They always do.”

“Ugh. Anyway, let Blondie reply.”

I don’t have time to question the nickname. I keep my expression neutral, but inside, I’m spiraling, trying to come up with a reply to Nico’s question. What would they say if I said, “hairy, older, beefy men”?

The thing is, it’s not even other men. It’s him, specifically. That’s what’s so fucked up. I don’t know which wires are crossed in my head, and I’m not about to admit my most shameful secret to my new roommates. They seem to have their own quirks, but I doubt any of them have feelings for their former stepdad.

I can let one bit of the truth slip out, though. Only one.

“I guess I like… older?” It comes out like a question, but I’m anything but unsure.

“Knew it!” Nico exclaims, shooting upright. “I could smell the daddy issues from miles away.”

“Daddy issues?” I scrunch my nose, lip curled as I slurp up the last of my drink. I feel even warmer now, and a layer of cotton has wrapped itself around my surroundings, making everything a little less intimidating.

Luca waves a hand. “Just because he likes older guys doesn’t mean he’s got daddy issues.”

“But the chances go up by a lot,” Nico says.

I shrug, mumbling into my glass. “If you say so.” I don’t know if my supposed issues have something to do with the stuff I’ve researched. The stuff about daddy kink. I don’t know much about it, but from what I’ve read, it seems right up my alley.

“Well? What else?” Nico asks.

“That’s enough,” Luca says. “Oliver, if you don’t want to tell us, we won’t⁠—”

“I like… hair.” I blurt it out without thinking, the buzz from the alcohol lowering my fear of being judged.

“Hair?”

“Hairy,” I clarify.

Nico chuckles. “You like bears? Like big, beefy, hairy dudes?”

I shrug. “I guess.” I don’t guess; I know. The problem is not what I like but who I like.

“Are you seeing anyone now?” Luca asks.

I shake my head. I’m not seeing anyone, and I’ve never seen anyone that way, period.