Page 35 of Room One Hundred and Twenty Nine

Haruko giggles. “Perhaps you have a point there,” she says.

“Okay, your turn Elijah,” Haruko says.

Elijah leans back to look at all of us before he asks his question.

“Never have I ever been with the same sex? In either a romantic or sexual capacity?”

I know why he’s asking this. Nick told her we’ve done stuff together, it seems, but we owe it to her to talk more about what we have. There are no labels. Not to mention that I’m unsure where I stand with Nick. Are we a couple? Just fucking? We are super close, and we haven’t been romantic with anyone else. But that doesn’t mean we’re a couple.

Nick and Haruko exchange looks as we both take a long lick of our ice creams. And so does Haruko.

“Let me guess,” Haruko says. “You’re with each other?”

Yep. She knew.

I nod. “Yes. Nick and I have been having fun for a while. I’ve been with one man romantically before and maybe two others sexually, but mostly I’ve been with Nick. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for more in our lives,” I tell her. Wanting to make sure she knows where she stands.

Haruko smiles softly and says, “I’m glad. Also, Nick kind of told me.”

“What now?” I turn to Nick, who has a guilty as shit expression on his face.

“Sorry, man. We were just talking and mentioned that we have… had… moments… together.”

I shake my head as I rub Nick’s back.

“It’s fine. I’m more surprised. You’ve never said anything about it.”

He just shrugs and I turn to ask Haruko a question.

“What about you?” I ask her, already kind of knowing the answer since she told me she’s bisexual.

“I’ve been with three women. One was my high school girlfriend, and the rest were flings in college. Haven’t been with anyone in a while. Romantically or sexually.”

“Cool,” I say and take a non-game lick of my ice cream.

“What about you?” Haruko asks Nicholas.

He looks to me, then to Haruko, straightens, and says, “I’ve only been with Parker. I didn’t really know I swung that way, meaning I didn’t know I was bisexual until I met him.” Heshrugs. “I guess I never really had the time to think about it. It was mostly about school for me. I had a girlfriend in high school, but that was more because everyone had to have a partner in high school rather than me actually wanting one. I like what I have right now much better. Even in a relationship, I’ve never felt more free as a person to explore my sexuality. Thanks to Parker and Elijah here.” He leans over and pushes my shoulder with his and I can’t help it. I cup his face in my hands and give him a kiss.

“You’re adorable, you know that?”

“Sure.” He chuckles and blushes.

And then my mind goes back to what he just said. Did he say “relationship?”

“Wait, so we’re in a relationship?” I ask him, and he nods nervously.

“I thought we were.”

“We never really talked about it,” I say.

“Well,” Nick says, taking my hand, “I would love to be in a romantic relationship with you if you’d have me.”

“Does that mean I get to take you on a date?” I ask, smiling.

“Yep. Hopefully, it won’t only be us,” he says, turning to Elijah and Haruko.

“What do you say? You want to turn this couple into a foursome?” Nick asks, and I admire his bluntness. He’s usually the shy one, but perhaps it’s because of the complicated nature of what’s going on. He’ll feel more comfortable if we’re all on the same page.

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