Page 68 of 10 Ways to Accidentally Fall in Love

“Youloveme,” I say in glee. “Admit it. Tell me you love me and care about me and want to make sure my queer deflowering was everything I’d hoped and wished it would be.”

“I regret everything,” he moans, dropping his head back against the couch.

I pat his face. “You lovely little dumpling, Joey and I didn’t have sex.”

He stills, and I pull my hand away before he can bite it. “You didn’t?”

“No. Don’t get me wrong—wewill. And very soon, I’m guessing. I mean, I’ve never had a dick down my throat, but it can’t be that much different than a banana, right? Greg’s definitely a two-biter, but I’m gonna work on it. You know I love a challenge.”

Jason’s face is pinched. “Who’s Greg?”

“Anddude, I really don’t know if I’m a drill or be drilled kinda guy, but I’m looking forward to finding out. So I need you to tell me everything you know about lube. And douching. Oh, and do you think Joey and I should jump straight into handcuffs or save them for a special occasion? Birdie? Where are you going?”

“Need a drink,” he calls from the kitchen.

“Grab me a refill? Pot should be full.”

Jason comes back into the room with a soda and the coffee carafe. “Can’t believe I’m still enabling your addiction,” he mumbles, filling my mug.

“Stuff of life,” I say happily, sighing around my sip.

“So… You two didn’t have sex,” Jason says, sitting back down and popping the top on his soda.

“Nope. Just kissed.”

“But it was good?”

“Yeah,” I say, my smile spreading. “It was good.”

“And you’re feeling okay about everything?” he asks me seriously. “About liking Joey?”

“It’s the easiest thing,” I admit, still stuck on that. “I don’t really understand whynow, you know? I don’t know why it’s him. But…”

I think over how to explain it to my friend.

“I think I liked him first. As a person. And maybe that made it easier for me to consider what a physical relationship between us might look like. And I’m not saying all relationships need to include sex because of course they don’t. But Idolike Joey’s body. I like looking at him. I like being close to him. Ireallylike kissing him. And, I mean,shit. Have you seen the dude’s hammies? You haven’t, but trust me, they’rethick. And don’t even get me started on his stomach.”

“Wasn’t planning on it,” he mutters.

“My point is I know I want him. I do, even though I’m still having a hard time conceptualizing certain things. But I think that’s because I’ve never done it. I’ve never tried, you know? And I’m a hands-on learner, always have been. So maybe it makes sense that none of this clicked before him. Because I’ve never reallytouchedother guys the way I’ve touched Joey. He’s very touchable.”

Jason rubs his face. “This is going to be a thing now, isn’t it? Me hearing about you and his—”

“What do you think his dick looks like?”

“Yep. There it is.” Jason huffs a breath before setting down his soda. “I’m only going to say this once. And believe me—it’ll be as uncomfortable for me as it is for you.”

I snort. “Doubt whatever it is will be uncomfortable for me.”

He levels me with alook. “I’m going to say it because it’s my duty as your honorary brother.”

“Aw, Birdie.”

“Oh my God, let me get this out.” He takes a breath and rushes on. “You never,ever, have to do anything you don’t enjoy. And I know you know that. But if you try this whole…be drilledthing, it shouldn’t hurt unless you want it to. So take things slow, don’t skip the…” He makes a choking noise, sounding as if he’s dying. “The foreplay.Jesus Christ. Use fingers, his or yours, to stretch the muscles. You can even try toys if you want. Or—fucking hell, my life—his tongue. Lube. Condoms. Don’t forget those. And seriously, Bee, tell Joey if anything doesn’t feel right. And what? Why are you smiling at me?”

“Joey would never hurt me,” I tell him. “I’m not even worried about that.”

He eases out a breath. “Okay. Good. That’s good.”

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