Page 88 of The Step Don't

“Yeah, they will,” Colin says, his lips tugging into a gentle smile—the sort of smile that soothes my concerns about sharing this with our parents. Awkward as it may be, I want everyone in the whole goddamn world to know how I feel about this guy.

And how he feels about me.

24

Colin

Ash and Ihave been living in this perfect bubble, where it’s either just us, or us and our friends, now that they know about us. It felt safe telling them, and I’d shout from the rooftops that Ash is mine, but seeing Mrs. Raeger was a wake-up call. I want to step out of this bubble we’re in. I’m ready for our parents to know, but I don’t want them to find out from someone else, not only because it’s not fair to them, but because there’s nothing wrong with Ash and me being together. Not telling them makes me feel like we think there is.

I make my way downstairs on Sunday morning.

Ash is sitting with Lance, Payton, and Marty in the living room. Frat Cat is on his lap in the armchair. I nuzzle Ash’s neck from behind. “I’m jealous. I think Frat Cat loves you more.”

“Aw, he loves his Daddy Colin.”

“Oooh, that’s hot. Say Daddy Colin again,” I joke, earning a snicker from Ash.

“Please don’t. I’m begging you not to say that again,” Payton says from the couch.

“Go seeDaddy Colin.” Ash hands Frat Cat to me.

“Good boy,” I tease, cuddling the kitten to my chest. Ash gets up from the chair, and I follow him into the kitchen. “What are you doing today?”

“You, I assume.”

I chuckle.

“Though I’d rather you do me.”

“That can definitely be arranged.” I sit at the counter while Ash pours himself a glass of orange juice. I snag it and take a drink. “Oops.”

“That was for you.”

“That’s sweet.” He knows I like my OJ in the mornings. “My boyfriend is the best.”

“Obviously.” Ash walks around the counter and wraps his arms around my shoulders. “You can always tell me again, though.”

Another laugh slips past my lips. “My boyfriend is the best.”

Ash leans in and kisses me. “Whatarewe doing today? Besides each other. Tomorrow is a busy day since we both have school and work.”

“I have a Zoom with Mom in, like, an hour. I was hoping you’d want to join me so we can tell her about us, like we talked about. We can plan when we’ll tell Dad and Laurenafter that.”

Ash nods, but then asks, “You’re sure you want me with you? I don’t mind being there. I just want you to be sure.”

I frown. “I always want you with me.”

The smile that stretches across his face is breathtakingly beautiful. It’s wild to me that I can make him feel that way, but it’s also the best feeling in the world.

“I guess we’re lucky I feel the same.”

“Come on. Let’s get ready.” I grab my glass of OJ and take it upstairs with us. We take a quick shower, get dressed, then hang out for a while, waiting for it to be time to meet with my mom. Frat Cat runs around the room like someone slipped him catnip.

“Are you nervous?” Ash asks.

I shake my head. “Nah. It’ll work out. Everyone knows how close we are, and really, our parents just want us to be happy.”

“Yeah, me too.”

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