AllFreeNovel
Share Us
It’s as if I’ve said the magic words. Tenn’s hesitant glare disappears as he nods rapidly.
“Yes. That's exactly what we do. It’s perfect. You keep an eye on him and distract him from the drama so he can write. I focus on keeping everything else off him from my side. Between the two of us, he’ll have no worries and the muse will return.”
During dinner, Corrin explained that he felt like his muse had gone into hiding. Like it wouldn’t produce new music because there were so many people pulling him in different directions. He claimed that a few weeks of peace would be all he needed to create another album worthy of the Loveless name.
I’m not convinced it'll be that easy. But fixing his problem also fixes mine. And really, now that I know he doesn’t hate me, I feel like this might be good for us. We can learn to become proper friends, maybe.
Maybe.
Back at our apartment, things get… chaotic. Corrin sobers enough to refuse the bed Tenn offers. He declares he's tiny enough to fit on the couch, which, yeah, he totally is. Then he rips his shirt off and faceplants onto the worn fabric.
I don’t allow myself to examine his skin for any new tattoos. The last time I saw him shirtless, he had twenty-two individual designs on his body. I have no doubt he’s added more since.
“Should we tell him you sit there bare-assed sometimes? I think he might not want to breathe so deeply,” I mutter, eyes trained on the half-alive rockstar.
“Fuck!” Corrin pushes up to gear at Tenn. “Is he telling the truth?”
My brother shrugs. “I only do it post shower, so I’m clean. And it’s not often.”
“You’ve done it twelve times since I moved back in.”
Both men turn to me at the fact I toss out. Corrin looks disgusted, while Tenn’s expression is one of exasperation.
“Why were you counting them?”
I shrug. “I was honestly trying to find a pattern in the process. I thought there might be a trigger making you do it but then I realized there wasn’t. I’d invested the time in the data already. Counting seemed second nature.”
“Can we stop talking about Tennyson’s nude activities and figure out a new plan for me to sleep? I can’t be face down in your sack, man.”
I give it one, two, three —
The pair of them burst into laughter at Corrin’s words. I suppress my own smirk at the immature laughter. No need to let the word sack turn me into a preteen boy all over again.
“If you two are done, we still have to settle sleeping arrangements.” I would absolutely go to sleep, but I don’t feel right about leaving Corrin in the wind on this issue. He’s our guest.
And technically, he’s now my boyfriend.
Fake boyfriend.
Huh.
I’ve never had a boyfriend, fake or otherwise. The thought of the word rolls around my mind over and over as I get used to it. Like when you learn a new person’s name and have to repeat it to ensure it sticks.
I do the same thing with the title as I wait for one of them to get it together.
Surprisingly, it’s Tenn who offers to fix his faux pax. “I’ll sleep out here since it’s my… nudity.”
“No, really, it’s fine. I just need something to put between me and the direct fabric. A blanket or a sheet.”
With the suggestion, I take off for the tiny linen closet in the hall. I tug free a set of bedding that’s stuffed in a pillowcase.
“Here,” I say as I pass the bundle to Corrin. “Everything you need is there. I’ll grab you a pillow.”
I don’t wait for either man to interrupt me. It’s been a long day full of new revelations. I need to get some rest soon or I won’t be able to sleep at all. I’d rather not have to force coffee down my throat tomorrow just to get through the day. My morning class should be easy; however, we have the owner coming into the office. With Evan’s flustered state, I suspect I’ll need to be ready to act as backup for him.
While I haven’t been at the company all that long — really, it’s only been a few months — I know enough to get through a business meeting. I’m a quick learner when given the chance to tackle a task.
That’s how I know I’ll be a good fake boyfriend for Corrin too. I’ve spent my entire life watching others interact. I have no doubt I can properly mimic a relationship with him. Especially now that I know he doesn’t hate me.
