Page 64 of The Step Don't

“Good. I just finished teaching a football lesson.”

“I love that you do that. My boy is so sweet.”

“I mean, I’m not going to argue with you. I’m pretty awesome.”

Mom chuckles. “Still the same goofball you’ve always been, I see.”

“You expected me to change?” I tease.

“Are you kidding me? I hope you never change. And your father and Lauren?”

I love that she asks and legitimately cares. It’s weird sometimes when I think about the fact that my parents divorced. On paper they should have been perfect for each other. They were friends, knew one another their whole lives, have the same hobbies, and are even similar when it comes to how they treat people and show their love. In a lot of ways, they’re more fitted than Dad and Lauren, but for whatever reason, they didn’t work. It just wasn’t meant to be. You never really know when that will be the case.

“Same as always,” I tell her. “Dad’s working on a book, Lauren is conquering the world, but they’rehappy.”

“And my son? Are you happy? What’s new?”

Ash pops into my head. Our date, the sex, our upcoming trip to the bathhouse, which we’re sure to do soon. Talking with him. Laughing with him. Making him happy, and how that makes me feel like I’m walking on the fucking moon. “Everything is perfect. Better than ever, maybe. Did I tell you me and Ash found a cat? We named him Frat Cat.”

“No! You didn’t. What happened?”

“We got home, and I heard him crying outside. We took him to the vet, and there was no way I couldn’t keep him.”

“Is it a house cat for everyone?”

“No, just ours.”

“The two of you alternate whose room he stays in?”

I probably shouldn’t tell her that Ash and I sleep in the same room most nights. But I actually, maybe, kinda want to…? Never mind. What the fuck am I thinking?

“Yeah. We went and saw a movie the other night too. We had hibachi. I know you love it as much as I do.”

“What else have you two been up to?”

I give her the G-rated version of our recent shenanigans. Mom listens well like she always does, asking questions in all the right places.

When I finish, she says, “You really lucked out in thestepbrother department.”

I did. Even more than she knows. “I was thinking maybe he could come to North Carolina with me when I come to visit this summer.” I used to want him to go with me all the time when we were kids, but it never happened. And as much as I love seeing Mom, it was torture being away from Ash. I remember once, Mom saying she worried we were too codependent, but I never cared about that. What matters is that we work, we fit, and despite kissing and fucking, nothing else has changed between us—only that it would be even more miserable to be away from him now.

“I’m sure Ash has better things to do than wanting to come and see your mom, but he’s always welcome here.”

My heart rate slows. I hadn’t even realized it had picked up until Mom said yes. “Thanks. I’m sure he’ll want to go. We can show him around Raleigh.”

“You really love him.”

“I do.”

There’s a short pause before she says, “You’re a good big brother, Colin.”

“Ash is good to me too.” The best.

There’s another delay in response, but then she says, “Things worked out the way they were supposed to. I’m glad you guys are such close friends.”

We talk for a while longer before ending the call. I’m on my way back to the frat house, when Ash calls.

“Miss me?” I ask.

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