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“Ouch.”
“Another emotion. Good job.” I made sure my tone conveyed playfulness rather than trying to shut him down.
Owen chuckled dryly. “Yeah, the two of you bring that out in me. But... I don’t have the kinds of answers I think you want. I love him. I’d do most anything for him. I’ve never specifically used those words with him.”
“Maybe tell him, instead of making excuses to be with him through a third party?” Given I had been—was still?—that third party, was I talking myself out of... something more? Of all the things I was worried about when it came to them, that wasn’t on the list.
“I don’t make excuses,” Owen said. “If I want sex, I ask for sex.”
So I’d seen. The heat of memory flushed my skin. “Sex, yes. You’re very skilled at sex and asking for it. I meant the rest.”
Another sigh. “This is going to sound melodramatic, but Kingston and I saved each other.”
Interesting detour, but I didn’t mind. Each glimpse into their pasts made them more real. More desirable. If I asked for details, I’d be another step closer to having to admit they were more than just casual fun. “How’d you meet?”
“Math.”
The same thing Kingston said. It was nice to know their single word stories matched up.
“Is there more to it than that? Is this aMath Saveskind of public safety warning?” I teased.
His breathing shifted for a heartbeat, a heavier puff. I pictured him on the other end of the line huffing out dry amusement. “His parents paid me to tutor him in math when we were in junior high. Except he didn’t need it. He wasn’t actually failing, but anything less than anAwas disgraceful to them, and he understood it, he was just bored, and didn’t want excelling to damage hisI don’t give a fuckreputation.”
A young Kingston putting more effort into what people thought than a mark on a paper? Easy to believe.
“I was the brooding smart kid no one wanted to approach back then,” Owen said.
“I know that feeling.” I’d been a lot the same.Resting bitch everything.
“But Kingston looked past that. He sort of... adopted me.”
The extrovert bringing the introvert into their fold.
“He brought his grades up,” Owen continued. “To prove I was doing what his parents wanted, and so they’d keep paying me.” A pause. It ticked on longer than a breath or two “It was what we both needed at the time. He’s a good guy and he deserves good things.”
I didn’t know how to interpret that. “It feels like you’re directing that at me.”
Another pause.
It would be nice if I could say Owen’s hesitations didn’t mean anything, but he was measuring his words. Each time the silence drifted in like this.
“I am.” He finally spoke. “He and I... What we have works. You’re a good thing, Kitty Cat. Amazing, in fact.”
Now I was the one who had to consider my next words. Instinct wanted to sayno I’m not.Few people reacted well to a compliment shut down like that, but especially these two. “Thank you?”
“I’m glad the two of you are hanging out. I should let you go before it gets too late. Sweet dreams.”
The abrupt wrap-up ground through me, stealing any questions I had. “You too.”
I disconnected, but sleep wouldn’t be my friend tonight. I was too caught up in analyzing the intricacies of the conversation with Owen.
