Page 63 of Finding You

“You’re being selfish,” Kylen snapped, and Dallas realized he’d said that last bit out loud. “You’re afraid of the work.”

“I’m afraid of getting hurt. I want to trust you, but history has told me that eventually, people get tired of me.”

“People who want more than I do might,” Kylen said. “But I like you. Sex and I are ambivalent friends, Dallas. If I get horny, I’m happy to hop in the bathroom and rub one out so I can get back to wrapping you in my arms and watching shitty TV. I don’t need sex to feel connected to you. That has never been me. Not in past relationships and not now.”

Dallas bowed his head. His defenses were full of spiderweb cracks, and Kylen’s words were a mallet. He only had a few strikes left in him before he shattered. He just didn’t know why he was fighting it so much.

“I’m sorry for implying he was a better fit for you than I am.”

Kylen stared, then barked a laugh. “I wasn’t expecting an apology. I thought you were going to keep arguing.”

Dallas tried for a chuckle, but it came out closer to a sob, and he didn’t fight when Kylen reached for him and pulled him close. “I’m tired of arguing. I’m tired of ignoring the things I want to make other people more comfortable.”

“I’ve been saying this whole time?—”

“I know,” Dallas interrupted. He turned his face and nuzzled his nose against Kylen’s stubbled cheek. “I know. Just…be patient a little while longer? Please. I can accept that you want me, and you know I want you, but I need time.”

“You have it. I’m not going anywhere unless you tell me that this thing between us is absolutely not for you, okay?”

Dallas nodded. He couldn’t conceive of a reason why he wouldn’t want this. He didn’t really know what was holding him back. Maybe when he could think about the future and not immediately see it burning to ash, then he could relax a little.

“How was the school thing?”

“Oh.” Kylen pulled back, though he took Dallas’s hand and started to play with his fingers. “The guy I talked to…Craig something or other?”

“Mm,” Dallas said with a frown.

“Yeah. That’s the vibe I got from him too. Not a fan. Anyway, he kind of gave me the third degree. He kept trying to get me to admit I was covering for you.”

Dallas was both surprised and unsurprised. He and Craig had never been friends.

“I obviously didn’t because all of that is bullshit. I told him that I want it on my record my sister is not to have any contact with the school, and she’s removed from all lists on Flora’s account. She’s no longer allowed to pick her up or sign forms or anything.”

“I’m sorry you have to deal with this.”

Kylen shook his head, but it was obvious he was holding something back.

“What is it?” Dallas pressed.

Kylen rubbed his fingers around his mouth, then said, “I told him I did want the evaluation though. That I wanted…that I wanted an autism evaluation. He said they’d get something on the books.”

Dallas pulled Kylen’s fingers to his lips and kissed the soft pads, then his palm. “You’re doing the right thing. She either is or she isn’t, but however it comes out, she’s still perfect. She may hate my guts from now on, but she’s perfect.”

Kylen raised a brow at him. “Is this about the yellow card?”

Dallas groaned and threw both hands over his face. “I had to. She knocked over another kid’s paint water on his posterboard. She knew better.”

Kylen stared until Dallas squirmed, and then he burst into laughter. “Don’t worry, baby. I know. And knowing you’ll do the right thing, even when it means she might put you on her shit list, makes me lo—uh, like you even more.” Kylen was red in the cheeks suddenly and looked somewhat terrified.

Dallas’s head spun. He heard the slip. He just decided that the only thing that could save them was to pretend like he’d missed it. So he tugged Kylen close, closed his eyes, then kissed him for exactly how much he was worth.

And that was everything.

Chapter Eighteen

DALLAS

Dallas’s house wasn’t the most conveniently placed in town, so it wasn’t often the guys all convened there, but a week after his second meeting with Monty, they all agreed since Audra was teething, and she wasn’t happy unless she was in her swing with a cold gummy toy.

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