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“He’s forty.”
Kiley’ couldn’t control the surprise that flashed over her face.
“I know, I know. It is a big difference. But… I don’t know. I don’t care. Is that bad?”
“Of course it’s not bad,” Tyra said, Kiley and Milan both nodding with her. Will was sitting down and seemed to still be absorbing everything. He was my best friend, but I’d kept things between Beckham and me pretty quiet, barely telling anyone about us. It had been too new and fresh.
Tyra sucked her teeth. “Age ain’t nothing but a number. Two consenting adults? Go and fuck like little Energizer bunnies. Well, in your case, an Energizer daddy and his Energizer twink.” She cocked her head before I started to laugh, my cheeks getting even hotter.
“How’d you two meet?” Will asked, the eyes in the room swiveling to him.
I grabbed a seat at the table and went into the story of how we bumped into each other overseas, then again when I went to Stonewall Investigations. Kiley’s head almost exploded when she realized my brother and Beckham had been working together for months now.
“So he didn’t even know your real name when you two met?” Milan asked.
“Nope. I was fully acting like a freshly minted sorority girl stretching her boundaries on a cute little Eurotrip.”
“How is it?” Kiley leaned forward on the table. “Dating someone older? I think my oldest boyfriend was two years older than me, and he acted like a whining baby unless he had my tit in his mouth.”
Tyra almost snorted the water she had been drinking. “Ted?”
Kiley nodded, lips pursed. “Ted.”
I laughed, remembering her loser of a boyfriend. “It’s been… it’s been perfect. I don’t know. You’d think we’d have trouble finding things in common or finding things to talk about, but it’s the total opposite. We keep discovering that we like the same things. And then the things I don’t know about, he teaches me. Vice versa. I’ve already downloaded Snapchat on his phone, and he’s sent me about four hundred and twenty snaps of him with that puppy filter on.”
Kiley put a hand to her chest, her face contorting as if I’d actually just brought out a box of puppies. “That issooocute.”
“And look at you. You’re literally glowing,” Tyra said. “You deserve this, Olly. Someone who has your back, someone you connect so well with.” She paused. I could tell there was a runaway train of emotions barreling toward the station. She had been close to Derrick and was as devastated as me when he was taken from us. I knew that all she wanted was to see me happy, and for the past few weeks, I don’t think I’d ever felt happier.
“It’s been really nice, I can’t lie. He’s so different compared to the other guys I’ve dated after Derrick.”
Kiley snorted. “Yeah, you started going for the crazies, didn’t you?”
“Or they started going after me. Whatever, the point is, Beck is completely different. He’s got his life sorted, a comfortable and stimulating career, a house that’s his own. And, the most important thing of all, we’re always laughing. Always laughing and talking and having the best time. Seeing him smile and hearing him laugh seriously gives me soo much life.”
My cheeks hurt from how bad I was smiling.
“Does he have any kids or ex-spouses?” Tyra asked.
“No kids, and a few exes. He’s been hurt pretty bad, so I don’t think he likes the whole swipe right or left thing.”
“Does he… have any straight brothers?” Tyra batted her thick lashes.
“Only child,” I said, chuckling and shutting down any hopes.
“Just keep your eyes open, Oliver.” It was Will, who was sitting back in his chair, still looking a little stunned. I didn’t blame him. He had come over here for an escape from his situation, from his breakup. And here I was, talking about my new and shiny relationship.
“I’m sure he knows,” Milan said, his shoulders stiffening. Milan and Will never gelled very well.
“I’m just saying. It’s all happening really fast, it seems.” Will looked like he was going on the defensive. “I just had my relationship crack into a million pieces. Happy endings aren’t always guaranteed. I just want you to be careful.” He was looking directly at me. I could sense the concern coming from him, and I was grateful for it, even if it was a little unwarranted.
“Beckham really does feel like my perfect match. I know it’s too soon to say for sure, but, guys, I haven’t been this happy in such a long time. I’m almosttoohappy, if that makes any sense. Like this feels wrong with how good it’s all going.” I felt bad talking about this knowing Will must be hurting from his breakup, so I opened my notes and dropped a hand on the paper. “All right, enough about me and my budding relationship. Let’s get to work. Will, if you want, you can put the TV on in my room and take a nap or something.”
Will checked his watch before standing up. “I think I’ll take a fifteen-minute nap and then head home. Thanks.” He put a hand on my shoulder and squeezed before excusing himself from the table and disappearing down my hallway. The rest of us got back to studying for five minutes before Kiley thought of another question to ask me.
We talked about Beckham for the rest of the day, leaving the endocrine system behind and focusing solely on the man who’d been running through my dreams every single night.
15Beckham Noble
