Page 26 of Until Him

“Whatever, man,” I reply as he sips the tea and grimaces.

“Tastes like bark.”

“Bark is good for your health. Everyone should eat more bark. Just drink it and stop complaining,” I say and then point to his bed. “Now, I’m going to go wash your sheets because they smell weird.” I move toward his bed and start stripping it.

“I can do my own laundry,” he mumbles, offering a halfhearted protest.

I ignore him, yanking the sheets off and wadding them in my arms.

“Just let me get this load going, and when it’s done, and you’ve proven you’re not going to die, I’ll leave.”

“A week of free tutoring,” he blurts suddenly, and I freeze, looking over my shoulder at him.

“A week?”

“Yes. Seven days. Free tutoring sessions…no sex.”

Huh. Why do I feel a little disappointed?

“If that’s what you want.”

“It is. I don’t like being indebted to people. And I most definitely don’t like being indebted to you.”

“I mean, you wouldn’t be indebted—”

“Take the offer,” he snaps, and I eye him. I see a smidge of panic in his eyes and then nod.

“Yeah, cool. Whatever works.”

He sighs in relief as I make my way out of his apartment and down the creaky stairs to the basement. I throw the sheets in the wash, and when I return to the apartment, the door is cracked open, and Theo is sitting on the edge of the bed, sipping his tea.

“I’m really fine now. This tea worked miracles. So did the oil. You don’t need to stay,” he says. I think his face is trying for a smile, but he’s just awkwardly baring his teeth at me. Yeah, he’s lying. I might be dumb, but I’m not an idiot.

“Nah, man, let me just make sure you’re okay. I’ll worry if you make me leave.”

“I just…I don’t fucking want you here!” he nearly shouts, and I jump slightly. He exhales shakily. “I just…I just need my space. I need you gone.”

“Shit,” I mutter, rubbing the back of my neck. “No need to yell.”

“I just need…I need you to leave. Please leave, Logan.Please.”

That last word, said with a hint of desperation, makes me nod.

“Okay, yeah. Sure. No problem,” I mutter. “Your sheets need to be switched to the dryer in like forty-five minutes.”

“I can do that.”

“Are you sure? Because you may still be weak from the fever….”

He purses his lips and then nods. “Yes. I can do it. I’ll see you tomorrow at six.”

I shove my hands into my pockets. “Can we do the day after tomorrow, before my practice instead? It’s just that I have plans tomorrow night.”

Theo’s lips tilt down in a frown, and his nostrils flare. “Okay.”

I run a hand through my hair and feel the need to explain, “Look, I’m sorry. I know you’re busy, and I appreciate you going out of your way to help me, but I told my friend I’d go on a double date with him and some girl he wants me to meet. He’s had this planned for weeks.”

“You don’t need to explain it to me,” Theo mutters, staring at the floor, and I sigh.

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