Page 32 of Unexpected Love

Chapter Ten

Joe

My feet pound the asphalt of the track at my high school as I run lap after lap. I got home a little after six last night, and I was so exhausted that I just shot Chloe a quick text and then crashed.

This morning, I woke up hard as a rock and had to jerk off. I called her after I was done, and she was still lying in bed, which made my dick hard again. I love hearing Chloe’s voice all sleepy, sexy, and hoarse.

“How was your ride home?”

“It was good but long. I was tired and crashed as soon as I texted you. I just got up and just really fucking missed you. Is Ragnar glad I’m gone?” Her sleepy giggle was really adorable.

“Of course. He’s been doing cartwheels since you left. If I say your name, he hisses and sticks his claws out like Wolverine.”

I started laughing and shook my head because she’s so fucking cute. “What’s on your agenda today?”

“I’m going to work on some pieces that need to be finished then have dinner at my parents’ house.” Her voice got quiet. “They’ve been kind of worried about me.”

“They love you. Of course they’re going to be worried. We didn’t talk about it much.”

“I know, and actually I’m kind of grateful that we didn’t. We said what needed to be said, and I’m just thankful that you forgive me for what I said.”

“Of course I forgive you. You forgave me too, you know.”

Her sigh echoed through the phone. “We really screwed things up in the beginning, didn’t we?”

“Yeah, but now we have the chance to start fresh.” Fuck, I hoped that was what she wanted too.

“Really? How can this work? We live too far away.”

I obviously hadn’t thought about the logistics yet. “We’ll take it a week at a time. Chloe, I feel like there’s something here worth exploring. Please tell me that you feel it too.”

“I do. It’s just going to be different. Joe, if we do this, please don’t sleep with anyone else. I know I don’t have the right—”

“Of course you have the right. I know you’ve heard unflattering things about me from my aunt and uncle, and maybe some of it’s true, but I’m not a cheater. Every relationship I’ve had—it hasn’t been many—I’ve been faithful…always.”

“It wasn’t from Tay Tay or Dustin. It was your sister and cousins. They used to make comments here and there, but they were never terrible. Just that you liked the ladies and the ladies liked you.” She sighed into the phone. “I haven’t had the best luck in relationships. When I was younger, it was because I had two dads so I must’ve been molested or abused.

“Then it was curiosity, and they just wanted to see if they…I don’t know…dressed like women, listened to show tunes all of the time, and whatever other misconception they could come up with. As I got older and being gay didn’t have the same stigma attached to it, it got easier, but when you choose the wrong person, it makes a difference, and I just haven’t been able to pick the right ones.”

“Chloe, I don’t know what’s going to happen, and I can’t guarantee that we won’t hurt each other, but I will not cheat on you. And if I don’t feel it’s working anymore, I’ll tell you. I just expect the same.”

I hung up shortly after that with plans to talk the next night, which brings me to now.

After several laps around the track, I stop by the benches and grab my bottle of water, taking a huge swig. I pick up my phone and see I have a voicemail. After punching in my security code, my messages start playing.

“It’s Mom. Just want to check if you’re coming for dinner tonight. Your sister and the kids are coming. Call me back. I love you.”

I hit her number and put it back to my ear. “Hi, honey,” she says. “How was your weekend?”

Oh what to tell, what not to tell. “It was good. I…I saw Chloe.”

“You did? How—how is she? I’ve wanted to call her, but I didn’t know if it was appropriate or not. I mean, that was my grandbaby, and I just hurt for her, you know?” My mom is by far the sweetest woman in the world.

“She’s doing better. I think she’d like it if you called her. I’ll text you her number. What time should I be over?”

“Six. Your brother will be here. It’ll be so nice to have all my babies and grandbabies under one roof.” My mom loves the chaos, and my niece and nephews eat up the attention they get from their gigi. “We’re going to do burgers and hot dogs.”

“Do you need me to bring anything?”

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