Page 4 of Home in Nevada

Those experiences all wove together for me, Jamie was why Nevada felt like home.

"I hear you," Lucy says, glancing over at me. "So Jamie was your best friend growing up. You clearly care about him. Sometimes you guys made out—no big deal. But now you’re going to show up and possibly see him, and just say... What? 'Hi?' And that’s it?"

"Well, yeah. I moved away. We talked about it and agreed it was just a weird thing. I haven’t talked to him since."

"...Why?"

"We figured it was best not to stay in touch since I was moving. It just seemed weird to keep talking. So that was that."

"And you think you’re going to walk up and say hi without wanting to make out with him again?"

I can’t help but laugh. "Yeah? Lucy, it’s fine. I don’t feel that way anymore. Honestly, I was just a horned-up kid trying to figure things out. It was weird… Plus, Tiffany's a babe—I'm taken."

Lucy laughs too, but I can see a glimmer of doubt in her eyes. "Jeff, you just told me you had girlfriends back when all this was happening!"

"Meh, that was different," I shrug. "Tiffany is for real."

Her eyes widen slightly, curiosity lighting up her expression. "Wow.For real, for real?"

"I think so," I reply, grinning as I glance at her.

As I drive on, the familiar grip of imposter syndrome tightens around me. I've been struggling with it for months, spiraling ever since I landed my first job and got my first apartment. I look around at everyone else, realizing how put together they all seem, while I still feel like I’m stumbling to find my footing. And as Lucy excitedly goes on about how she’d love to be my best man if I ever pop the question to Tiffany, I can’t shake the nagging feeling that maybe I’m just kidding myself.

Chapter 2

The one where Jeff's past collides with his future.

It'snearlydarkwhenwe finally pull up to my parents' house. I park in the long driveway and step out, stretching my legs with a groan.

"Dude, this drive sucks," I complain, kicking at the gravel.

"It wasn’tthatbad," Lucy says, rolling her eyes.

"Yeah, because you weren’t the one driving," I shoot back.

Lucy laughs. "Oh, like that makes such a difference."

"Uh, yeah, it does."

I grab her bag from the trunk just as the front door swings open.

"Jeffrey!"

Mom’s standing there, wrapped in a ridiculously oversized lounge robe, flinging the door wide open. It’s endearing and kind of embarrassing all at once. She hurries down the steps and plants a wet kiss on my cheek. I can’t help but grin; I love her anyway.

"Hey, Mom," I say, hugging her before turning around. "This is Lucy."

Lucy gets the same enthusiastic hug and kiss, and the surprised look on her face makes me chuckle. She flips me off playfully behind Mom’s back.

"Lucy! Oh, I’ve heard so much about you. We’re so glad to have you here!" Mom gushes, grabbing our bags and leading us inside.

I find it funny that my parents are letting Lucy stay overnight in my room. They never let me have a girl over before, but Jamie was always an exception. Guess they’re pretty oblivious. They know about Lucy’s sexuality and seem pretty cool with it.

Later, Lucy comes out of the shower in her pajamas, looking different without her usual makeup. Still hot, though.

"Quit staring at me like that; it’s gross," she snaps.

I laugh. "Come on, now’s our chance to get hot and heavy in my parents’ house."

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