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She seemed like she’d stopped listening. “Ah, so youweretrying to get away from a girl. Bad break-up?”
Why was she so concerned with my love life tonight? “Not exactly.”
“Good break-up, then.”
“If you want to think that.”
I wasn’t going to tell her I’d never been on more than one or two dates with the same girl in my life. I wasn’t embarrassed, exactly, but it wasn’t something I told everyone. I was even less open about the fact that I’d never been with a woman.
People assumed I’d dated my share of women, especially since I was such a flirt. The truth was that I’d had some opportunities, but I’d never taken them. I didn’t want to have sex just for the sake of having it, and I’d never felt enough trust in a girl to go all the way with her.
That was probably why I flirted the most with straight girls. I knew it wasn’t going to lead anywhere—they were safe.
I wasn’t a complete virgin, and that was known only by my closest friends. My experiences with men had not been pleasant. When I was a foster teen, I had no power whatsoever, and a few men in positions of authority had taken advantage of that. Thinking back on it made me queasy. I would never be put in that situation again.
That was the idea behind moving here, actually. Taking my power back. I was determined to live my life proudly and fully—to stop hiding who I was, or even being coy about it. I wanted to wear my sexuality on my sleeve, and when I saw a beautiful woman, I was going to compliment her. I was in control of my own life, and I wasn’t going to let anyone interfere with my happiness.
“So there’s no one special in your life now?” Chelsea pressed.
“Not at all. What about you?”
Chelsea shook her head. “Men suck. I’m taking a break from them.” I chuckled, and she gave me a look. “I’m serious.”
“I’m sure you are. It’s just funny.”
Her face scrunched up, and she looked harder at me as if trying to tell me something. “Why is it funny?”
“I don’t know. You’re thinking too hard about this.” I pulled my gloves out of my jacket pocket. My hands were getting cold.
Chelsea shivered, and I immediately unzipped my jacket. “Here.” I offered it to her.
“What? No. If I’m cold, it’s my own fault for not dressing warmer.”
“Take the jacket. How would I manage to live with myself if I didn’t give my coat to a pretty girl?”
She hesitated another moment, then accepted it. “Now you’re going to freeze, though.”
“I’ll be all right, I promise.” I wrapped my arms around myself and walked a little faster to build up body heat.
“You’re really so sweet,” she murmured. “Your place is pretty close to here, isn’t it?”
“Not really. It’s a half-hour walk from where we started.” I braced for her to pity me.
She didn’t seem to be thinking about the daily walk. “Oh. Well, I live with my parents… so…”
“Yeah, you mentioned that before. Smart choice.” We emerged into a small clearing. “Was that a rabbit?”
“Yeah.” She kept trudging, seeming uninterested in the wildlife. She probably took it for granted, whereas for a city girl like me, it was exciting. “What I meant was, if—well—never mind.”
I frowned at her, confused.
She pointed toward the horizon, where the trees parted. “If you walk along that road, there are a few stores.”
“Okay, we can keep walking.” I was enjoying her company more than I’d expected.
“So, your family didn’t mind you moving so far away?” she asked. “I mean your foster family?”
“Uh… no.” I glanced away, hugging my arms around me tightly. “We didn’t keep in touch.”
