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“What happened to the fuck I was promised?” I waded deeper, letting loose another moan as the water soaked into my sore feet.
“I didn’t promise you anything,” he called, not coming any closer.
“If you want war, we can have a repeat of last night.” I would dress up and leave if he didn’t want to fuck me. Not to fuck anyone else—I didn’t want anyone but him—but I would play at his jealousy if he was going to torture me.
“Excuse me?”
I turned around when I got waist deep. “You heard me.”
He stalked closer. “No one else better touch you.”
I backed up, feet moving over smooth stones as I neared the middle of the little pool. “Why not?”
“Are you fucking kidding me right now?” He stood on the edge of the water but didn’t venture in.
“Are you scared of the water?” I asked, realizing he wouldn’t swim in the ocean with me and now this.
“Don’t change the fucking subject.”
“You wouldn’t go in the ocean because of sharks. What is it here?” I wasn’t going to just drop it. I wanted to know.
“I don’t want a parasite or fish trying to bite my balls.” He grunted, keeping his arms crossed.
“Why did you agree to hike to a waterfall with me if you won’t go in? You could have had me pick something else.”
“I figured we’d climb the rocks or stand under it. I don’t know.” He lifted a shoulder. “I wanted you to be happy. I wanted you to do what you wanted. It’s always your brother or Taylor picking what we do. You always go along for whatever. I wanted you to get to do whatyouwanted.”
“Oh...” I closed my eyes. “I let them pick because I’m usually too mentally exhausted to pick. It’s hard to decideanythingwhen I can’t even bring myself to shower. I think Kingsley has realized over the years, and he doesn’t push it anymore.”
Royal frowned. “Is that how you felt today?”
“No. I was happy to today.” I smiled, hoping he could tell it was genuine.
“How will I know when to let you and when you’re too tired?” Royal was so fucking thoughtful. I didn’t deserve him.
“I’ll tell you. Just believe me, okay?”
“Okay.”
He held his hand out, and I walked halfway out of the water, stopping knee deep. “Come here. It feels nice.”
“You really want me to end up with a weird disease, don’t you?”
“This isn’t any different than a lake at home.” I stood, waiting for him to meet me. I wanted to see if he’d do it. I didn’t want to be the one always going to him.
He made a face.“Lakes are disgusting. I don’t go in those either.”
“How did I never know this?” I thought back to all times we’d been swimming and realized it had only been in pools. Even when we were in Miami, he’d stayed out of the ocean.
“Didn’t know about my synesthesia nor my hatred of dirty water. I guess I just pay way more attention to you than you do me.” Royal delivered the line with utter sass.
“I pay attention. Your favorite movie is the Joker— Heath but followed closely by Lego and then Joaquin. Your favorite color is purple...and now I’m wondering if that has to do with me.” I can’t believe it didn’t hit me at breakfast.
“How’d you know I like Lego over Joaquin?”
“I’ve seen you watch that movie like forty times. It’s pretty obvious.”
“It’s fucking funny.” He stepped into the water, only coming ankle deep. “I hope you know the weight of this, and when my feet fall off, you understand this is in sickness and health.”
