Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82543 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82543 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
He says he moved here for me and then says he wants to be friends. Usually, I’m the one throwing around the word friends. It’s a reminder to me and whoever I’m with that things are only casual, but the way Levi said it, it came out with more … permanence than that. His message was clear. We’re going to be friends, only friends, and I will never see his dick.
I didn’t expect to be hit with disappointment. The only other time I’ve experienced that gross emotion is after losing a game. Disappointment when it comes to people? Both Brady and I have desensitized ourselves to those who only want to use us to get to our dads. It might have happened at one point, but this is the first time in years that someone has gotten under my skin this way. But I don’t think the disappointment is directed at Levi. It’s directed at … me.
Yet, I don’t understand why.
I don’t understand him.
Shit, at this point, I don’t even understand myself.
When I get back to the house, I pause outside the steps leading up to the front door landing and take a deep breath. My parents can read me like a book, my brother even more so, and I don’t want to give away anything from tonight.
They’ll want to help. They’ll want to meddle.
No, thank you.
I breeze through the door with a casual “Hey,” and then I hold my breath.
“Have a good night?” Dad asks. He’s sitting on the single armchair in our living room while Pop and Brady are on the couch. My brother is trying not to laugh, and that sight alone has me fighting the urge too.
“It was fun.”
“Fun like we need to call your uncle and figure out a coming out strategy for your career?”
I throw my head back. “No. And you know I can’t be seen talking to an agent. Especially this year. I need to wait until the season is over.”
“He’s your uncle. Not just an agent.”
“He’s technically not my uncle.”
“Semantics,” Dad says. “He changed your diapers and babysat you. He’s as much your uncle as my brother is.”
One thing I can be certain of with Dad is if we ever mention biology when it comes to family, he will block that line of talk faster than a raging linebacker.
“I get that,” I relent. “But … I don’t want to risk it. Especially when we all know I’m going to sign with him.” We’re getting off topic. “Besides. Levi and I are friends. There’s no need for any coming out crap. I know you were probably all hoping for the big bi revelation here, but I’m not … he’s not … we’re not there yet.”
And now I’ve already told them more than I said I was going to.
Dad stands. “Fair enough. Either way, you owe us two thousand dollars. Good night.”
My eyes widen as I swing around to glance at Pop.
He stands too. “You know your dad. He’ll forget about it in a few days.”
“No, I won’t!”
Pop follows after Dad. “Think of it as payback for putting poor Pey through that god-awful setup I was against from the beginning.”
At least one of my parents understands me.
As soon as they’re out of sight, Brady lets go of his laugh. I slump down next to him on the couch and let out a loud breath.
“Holy shit,” Brady says while trying to catch his breath. “I thought Dad was going to have a coronary when he got the alert on his phone from his credit card company.”
“He did always say we would be the death of him. I wouldn’t have put it past him to do it purely for the epic guilt trip it would cause. But it totally serves him right. Seriously, they crossed all kinds of lines. I’m surprised Levi didn’t run screaming for the hills.”
Although, technically, he kinda did.
“So, what is the deal with you and Levi? I thought the emphatic it meant nothing was bullshit. Dads obviously thought so too.”
That’s what I’d like to know. “Levi’s confusing.”
“Confusing how? By making you question your sexuality or—”
I wave him off. “Nope. This little baby bi can’t read gay signals.”
“Aww, my big brother is all grown up and embracing his identity.” He wipes away a fake tear. “So proud.”
I shove him, but he holds strong. Of course he does, the wide fucker. “Don’t you start. You’re worse than Dads, but I’m trusting you to be gentle, seeing as you know how gay dudes think.”
“Oh, you’re so right. That’s why I’m swimming in boyfriends and successful relationships. Oh, wait …”
“Whatever. You could have a relationship at the drop of a hat. Everyone you’ve ever dated has fallen head over heels for you. You’re the one who always says you want something more, but you can’t tell them what more is because you don’t even know yourself. Then you break their little hearts.”