Page 32 of Love Limits

A brat tamer! He fingerspelled the word, then cracked an imaginary whip and then added a person modifier. I’m so excited that that’s a thing. Are you a brat tamer?

Dustin grabbed his phone and read the article that Zhong hadn’t even finished. Zhong tried to peer over his shoulder.

Dustin scrolled down and then back up. Then down again. No, that’s not quite it. I don’t think Landon’s looking for punishments or “funishments.” He fingerspelled the last word. Or at least not as the major thing. He’s really sweet once he stops being defiant, actually. I think brats are supposed to keep pushing until they get in trouble.

Zhong waited for Dustin to continue.

Landon doesn’t want to be in trouble. It’s more like he’s daring me to take control, but still needs to be coerced into it. So maybe it’s about attention?

Does it remind you of anything? Zhong asked. It was like a puzzle.

You remember when we were in college, and we used to go back to your house on break? And Mei-Lin would act like she was annoyed with us all the time, but she kept hanging out in your bedroom?

Oh, God yes. Zhong agreed. My sister was so obnoxious.

Yeah. And we’d finally decide to do something with her, and she’d make a nuisance of herself, but if we stopped paying attention to her she’d get huffy or go sulk. It’s that same kind of thing, where he’s kind of defiant, but still looking for affection.

Zhong shook his head fondly. Yeah. Teenagers are mysterious creatures. And she’s only become slightly more mature since then.

Hey, is she still getting married?

Apparently, Zhong answered dryly. There’s still three more months for her to call it off. Actually,that reminds me of something Ash was telling me about.

Ash? When were you talking to Ash?

We’ve been playing phone games. And they came over for dinner and board games. Four times actually. It felt weird to say that to Dustin, though. Like he was trying to replace him as a friend, when that was the last thing he wanted to do.

He didn’t enjoy Ash’s company any more than Dustin’s… but maybe just as much? That was actually something since he’d been Dustin’s best friend for fifteen years. It would be nice to have another close friend like that. Like he’d had when Sarah was around, too.

Dustin got a speculative look on his face. Did you know that they have a huge crush on you?

Wait? Really? Zhong drew back so they could see each other better while they signed. Ash? No way. That was just… Why would they have a crush on him?

Dustin was practically going to choke, he was laughing so hard. Yes, really. They want to get in your pants.

Zhong looked down at his pants to make sure they were still intact. How do you know?

They were showing all the signs—turning their body toward you, watching how you moved, flirting, giving you more eye contact… that’s attraction. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were attracted, too. You were giving them all the signals.

Zhong took it all in, then let his eyes drift over to the wall. He needed some time to think this through. Was it possible? No, I really don’t think so. I knew they were flirting, but you said they flirt with everyone. I saw them flirt with Landon, too.

Zhong continued to build his case. Plus, we’re helping each other find dates. That wouldn’t make sense if they had a crush on me, right? I mean, maybe they did the night we met, but that would stop when they found out I was ace, right?

Dustin elbowed him, looking both amused and affectionate. The whole point of a crush, he gently explained, is that it doesn’t have to be mutual. I promise you, though, that Ash has a crush on you. Just like I had a crush on you for years even though you didn’t return it.

Wait… what? Seriously. What the actual fuck?

Dustin seemed to be having his own moment of confusion. You knew I had a crush on you, right?

Zhong narrowed his eyes. Are you just messing with me?

Dustin didn’t even try to hide his laughter. OMG. I can’t believe you didn’t know. Why do you think I spent all of my time around you? We lived together. We acted like a couple. Or, like, a triad with Sarah, really. We slept together and you don’t even like sex. For that matter, I’m still attracted to you, because, exhibit A, we talked about this when we slept together a few months ago. Of course I had a crush on you!

Hang on… Zhong wasn’t finding this as amusing as Dustin was. Is attraction the same as a crush? I thought you were, like, attracted to my body and we were best friends at the same time.

That, my love, is a crush. I have to tell Sarah.

Dustin drew out his phone, but Zhong made a grab for it. Don’t tell Sarah. Hey, wait. Did she have a crush on me, too?