Page 129 of 10 Ways to Accidentally Fall in Love

My heart thumps. “Listening.”

“I never,ever, want to erase part of who you are. Relationships are supposed to be about compromise, right? But you have this tendency to go balls to the wall when it comes to making other people happy. The fact that you’re here now, for one. And I know,” he adds quickly. “You don’t regret moving. I know that. But you can’t tell me you don’t miss New Hampshire and your mom.”

I can’t deny it.

“Which is why we’re going to make a point of visiting when we can,” he goes on. “Every few months, even when it’s all cold and snowy and I get frostbite on my nips.”

“Why would you be shirtless in the snow?” I question.

“I dunno, dude! Isn’t polar plunging a thing?”

“Please,pleasedon’t do that.”

He waves me off. “Naked snow angels, then. Whatever. My point is you can’t leave behind the best parts of your past just to make a future with me. And I wouldn’t want you to. I’m happy to learn how to swim so I can be here in the water with you. And I’ll be happy to get on a big metal death trap every so often so wecan visit your mom. I like spending time with your family, Joey. I like working on the house with you. I like sharing your favorite things. So don’t ever think loving you—all of you—is a hardship. Because it’s not. It’s the easiest thing.”

“Fuck, bub,” I manage, my throat tight. “You’re constantly amazing me, you know that?”

He preens. “Well, Iampretty amazing.”

“You are,” I agree easily. “Thank you for…I don’t know. For seeing me, I guess.”

He cocks his head slightly, hand wet as his fingers drift over one of my eyebrows. “Joey Kangaroo, my guy, I may have missed a few things along the way, but I’ve never been able to look away from you. Logan can attest to that.”

I huff a laugh, having half-forgotten about the man and our failed date at the ballpark. “You kept touching my stomach,” I remember.

“It’s so nice,” Brad groans, his hand squeezing between our bodies to drift along my abs. “So, so nice. The best baker couldn’t have crafted you.”

“I…thank you?”

He hums. “Logan understood. He’s been really nice about it. Wishes us well.”

“You’ve kept in touch?” I ask in surprise.

“Oh, sure,” Brad says. “We chat sometimes. I actually set him up with Lewis. Remember him?”

It takes me a moment. “Watersports Lewis?”

“Yeah, man! Turns out they’re getting along really well.” He huffs a laugh. “You never can tell who enjoys piss play.”

Jesus.

“Well, I’m glad for them,” I say.

“Me too,” Brad replies dreamily. “Now be a good Joey-floaty and let me drift on you.”

“Anytime, bub,” I answer, propelling us through the water. “Anytime.”

It’s early evening when we arrive at Brad’s apartment, the calendar having declared it a “Brad-pad” night. We shower off the chlorine from the pool, and then Brad retreats to the living room to order a late-night snack of chicken and waffles. I give my mom a call.

“Hi, my boy,” she says in greeting. “How’s my favorite Vegan?”

I groan. “We’re called Las Vegans. Notvegans. It’s a totally different vowel sound. And Brad is fine, thanks for asking.”

My mom chuckles. “He said you guys are planning a trip over around Thanksgiving?”

I snort, even as my insides light. Leave it to Brad to schedule our next visit without even telling me. “We sure are. He, uh…really wants to make a habit of visiting.”

She hums. “I won’t lie and say that doesn’t make me happy to hear. He’s a good one, Joey. He’s good for you.”

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