Page 31 of Say It Again

“And because you’re the only attorney I know.”

Chapter Seven

AARON HAD made it to the kitchen. Coughing and claiming he had something itching his throat, he’d ambled out of bed to chug what would be the first of two large glasses of glacial refrigerator water. Now his temples ached in a brain freeze, but it was nothing compared to his heart, which throbbed through beats like he just threw up. He might throw up.

Daniel thought he was an attorney. He scraped his hands through his hair over and over. An attorney. How? How? Because of the party?

Well, no wonder he’d agreed to go out with him. No wonder he’d argued Aaron was a “spectacular catch.” He probably wanted to introduce him to his friends. His parents. This is the successful attorney I’m seeing. Aaron Silva, Esquire. No wonder Daniel liked him at all.

He shrank into the shadowy corner of the kitchen like a struck animal. He liked him because he had no idea who he was. It’d be almost laughable if it wasn’t so fucking unfair.

“Are you okay?” Daniel was suddenly standing in the kitchen, eyes alarmed and forehead etched in concern.

Aaron licked his lips. A voice from within wanted to blurt it out. Blurt it out and own it and be done with it. If Daniel wanted to judge him, then Daniel could fucking leave. He could leave, and he could stay gone and fine. Just fine. They’d never talk again.

But that wasn’t the most deafening voice demanding his attention. The voice demanding his attention was the one terrified to lose something so precious. It was the voice that said, If you tell him, he’ll hate you. You’ll die if he hates you.

“Aaron,” Daniel said, his voice underscored in worry. “Did I say something wrong? Did I overstep with you? You don’t have to look over the contract. It was just a thought.”

Aaron pushed himself off the wall and stood a little taller but couldn’t quite meet Daniel’s gaze. If he didn’t find a way to be alone and sift through his manic thoughts, he’d be sure to regret whatever poured from his mouth, which had to be so perfectly stated that Daniel wouldn’t hate him. You’ll die if he hates you.

He forced a smile. “I had a really good time with you tonight. A really, really good time. Did you enjoy yourself?”

Daniel tilted his head as his eyebrows slanted. “Well, yeah. Tonight was amazing.”

Aaron nodded. Remember that. “It was amazing. But I need to get some sleep, okay? I have an early day tomorrow.”

Daniel didn’t budge or say anything, probably waiting for a follow-up, an explanation, or an invite that included his presence, but Aaron pinched his lips together on the urge to recant and let the silence dilate between them. The thundering silence.

“Oh,” Daniel finally said, his voice a bit shrunken. It looked like so much hurt on his pretty face, and Lord, if he started crying, Aaron’s armor would sop into a pathetic puddle on the floor. “I see. So then, I guess I’ll take off.”

Fuck. “I really did have an incredible time with you.”

“Yeah, me too. I’ll um, I’ll get my things.” Daniel wandered around the apartment in bit of a daze, gathering his bag, phone, and shoes. He shed Aaron’s sweatpants and T-shirt and slipped back into his dance clothes while Aaron drank more water just to have something to do that didn’t involve violently screaming.

He rubbed his eyes as he followed Daniel toward the door. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“Uh-huh,” Daniel said, a bit clipped. “Sounds good.”

Or maybe he wouldn’t call. Maybe this was the most optimal outcome. They’d shared a few amazing nights together, and now they could part ways, and neither of them would get hurt. Daniel couldn’t hate him for being very much not an attorney if he never knew.

He would just hate him in other normal ways. Hate him for being an asshole. For kicking him out like an unwanted squatter. He’ll hate you. You’ll die if he hates you.

Aaron unclenched his teeth. “Kid, wait—”

“Why do you call me that?” Daniel spun around, his arms crossed over his jacket.

Aaron blinked.

“You wanted to know why I called you mister. Why do you call me kid? You’re not that much older than me.”

“I don’t know, honestly.” He shook his head. “But if you don’t like it—”

“I like it.” Daniel’s eyes widened. He nearly glared in contrast to his words. “Of course I like it. I think it’s sweet and I think you’re sweet, and I like you too, Aaron.”

He was going to throw up.

Daniel pressed up to his toes and quickly pecked his cheek. “I hope you get some rest.”

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