Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 72060 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72060 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
I tune back into their conversation.
“You live here?” Brandon says, taking in the room. “This place is sick.”
“Uh-huh.” Dex motions behind him. “Feel free to get a drink while I refill the chip bowls. Maybe Austin can show you to the punch.”
Dex gives me a quick thumbs-up and turns to go. I want to beg him to stay, but thankfully, I see Kael approaching with a glass of ice water.
“Thanks,” I say as he hands it to me.
“So what’s with the punch?” Brandon asks. “Might be too strong if that’s what you were choking on.”
“Eh, I’ve also choked on my own saliva, so…”
It dawns on me what I just admitted. Kael snorts a laugh, and I can’t help joining in mortification.
Brandon smiles blandly as he looks between us. “Are you two together?”
That only makes us laugh louder.
“We’re roommates,” Kael says.
“Got it.” Suddenly, Brandon raises a hand and waves to someone across the room. “Oh, I see an old friend.”
The silence is deafening, even with the music playing in the room. I might actually pass out from holding my breath for so long.
“I’m sorry,” Kael says just as Dex approaches again.
“No punch?” He glances to where Brandon is speaking animatedly to his old friend in the corner. Probably more like an old hookup, the way they seem so cozy.
“Are you really that surprised?” I deadpan. “That guy has no interest in me. I’m not good at this stuff like you are.”
“That’s not true,” he argues. “I just put myself out there more than you.”
“It’s so cringe.”
“No, it’s not,” Kael adds. “Nothing you did was wrong. You gave the guy the flower, no strings attached.”
“I think I need to head back to the dorm,” I say, tugging on Kael’s sleeve. “Before it gets awkward again.”
“Hold on,” Dex says, “give it some time. Maybe now that Brandon knows it was you and not me—” At my pointed look, he clamps his mouth shut.
“Okay, I’m out,” I say, turning for the door, and Kael follows.
“Wait.” Dex pulls me into a hug. “Fuck, I’m sorry.”
I sink into his embrace, which brings a flutter of comfort, though I’m still bummed and embarrassed. “You’re not allowed to pull any stunts like that again.”
“I already promised. But after tonight, I’ll swear again,” he mutters. “You still love me?”
My stomach warms because I can’t stay mad at him. “Always. Now go have fun instead of babysitting me.”
“You know that’s not how it is.” He kisses my cheek. “Thanks for coming.”
As we walk across campus, Kael pats my back. “You good?”
“Totally. I will not allow Dex to talk me into anything like that again. He’s worse at matchmaking than me.”
He snorts. “He kind of is. But his heart is in the right place. He cares about you, that much is clear, or he wouldn’t try so hard.”
I kick at a stray rock. “Yeah, I know.”
“What’s his dating status, anyway?”
“He gets plenty of interest, believe me.”
Kael hitches a shoulder. “He’s friendly and charming. Makes sense.”
“Yep. But he only ever hooks up and isn’t interested in a relationship.”
I don’t tell Kael about his past and how his dad has been a big disappointment and terrible role model. It’s not my place.
“Nothing wrong with that.”
We pass Indelible Ink, which is the local tattoo shop. There’s a blond guy working there who’s a total snack. Getting any ink is out of the question though.
“I know I need to get more comfortable around guys I find attractive, but…” I trail off, unsure how to put into words what I’m feeling.
“Instead of Dex trying to encourage you to talk to guys on your own, he should show you how it’s done.”
“Been there, done that. But he throws me to the wolves every time, thinking it’ll come naturally. It never does.”
Kael is quiet for a minute before he says, “Don’t take this the wrong way, but…the two of you are so natural together. Why not play pretend sometime to get more comfortable, or ooh, I know! Use him to make someone jealous.”
I inhale a sharp breath. “Use Dex in, like, a romantic way? Hell no!”
“Only for make-believe.”
“That would be too strange. I can’t even imagine…”
But I admit the idea makes all sorts of thoughts spring up. It would be kind of funny—and hot—to see Dex act lovey-dovey when his brain isn’t wired for romance.
To shake the feeling, I turn the tables. “How did you and Angelica meet?”
Kael doesn’t reply right away. We walk across a grassy area that’s busy with students sitting everywhere and blasting music. Eventually, he says, “Being trans adds an extra layer of doubt to dating because you never know someone’s intentions or preferences.”
“Damn, I’m sorry.” I feel guilty for complaining about my woeful ineptness. “Guess that hasn’t occurred to me.”
“No problem. It all works out one way or another.” Suppose he’s right about that too. “Anyway, Angelica and I became friends first, and then she took a chance kissing me.”