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I blink at the text for several seconds, my fingers hovering over the screen as I think of how to respond. I haven’t seen or spoken to my dad since the night he kicked me out. Every time I went home to grab clothes, schoolwork, or my rat, he was conveniently on duty.
The whole time my nose was healing, he never once reached out to ask if I was okay. That hurt—honestly, everything he said that night still hurts. But I’ve moved past sadness. Now, I’m just pissed off. According to my therapist, that’s natural.
Spending a few minutes typing and deleting responses, I listen distractedly as KC and Carpenter bicker over what constitutes acceptable pool attire. My side warms as Ryann slips in beside me, the leathery scent of his soap flooding my senses.
“What’s got that frown on your face, baby?” he asks, dropping a soft kiss on top of my head.
Sliding my phone toward him, I show him the message. “My dad wants to see me.”
His hazel eyes meet mine, flecks of green swirling in golden pools. “But do you want to see him?”
“I…” My voice trails off. Do I? “What if he just says more mean things?”
“Then we’ll leave,” he smiles, squeezing my hand gently.
I squint an eye at him. “We?”
“You want to go alone?”
Okay, fair point. He’s got me there.
But…
Dropping my gaze, I fiddle with the pop socket on my phone, suddenly feeling awkward. Even though Paige knows about us now, my parents don’t.
“Are you gonna come with me as my boss, or my friend, or…?” I let my voice trail off, my cheeks heating.
Ryann reaches out, tilting my chin up with a finger as his eyes search mine. “Is that all we are, doll face? Just friends who fuck and live together?”
KC gasps dramatically, reminding me we have an audience witnessing this painful display.
Leaning toward Carpenter, he whispers, “They were roommates.”
Carpenter gives him a confused look. “So are we.”
“Never mind, straight boy, you don’t get it.”
“Shilo?” Ryann prompts, drawing my attention back to him.
I squirm, shrugging. “I dunno. Boyfriend sounds weird, doesn’t it? Like…” I flounder for a second, trying to find the words. “You’re so much more than that.”
It sounds dumb, but it’s true. I can’t explain it.
A slow smile spreads across his face, crinkling the corners of his eyes as his thumb grazes my lips. “How about ‘partners’?”
Grimacing, I shrug again, resisting the urge to suck his thumb into my mouth in front of my friends. “Still sounds weird, but I guess.”
“Like you’re a bunch of cowboys,” Carpenter quips, pointing finger guns at KC. “This town ain’t big enough for the two of us, pard’ner.”
His attempt at a Southern accent is atrocious. Downright embarrassing. KC stares at him blankly before turning back to us.
“‘Partner’ is good. It’s all-inclusive. Gets the point across. I still think ‘boyfriend’ is super cute, but yeah, it’s an odd term for Ry. He hasn’t exactly been boyfriend goals, has he?”
“Thanks for the insight,” Ryann says dryly, sarcasm lacing his tone. “I do so appreciate your opinions on my relationship.”
“As you should.” KC winks at me before grabbing Carpenter by the shirt, yanking him to his feet. “C’mon, Carpenter, darling. Let’s give these lovebirds some space. Great game, by the way.”
As they leave, I take advantage of their absence, gently biting down on Ryann’s thumb. His sharp inhale sends a rush of heat through me, his gaze darkening.
