Page 52 of Star-crossed Betas

“I’m pretty sure your husband was the one doing the fucking,”Will snickers unnecessarily down the phone, and I blush at the memory of Phoenix ploughing me into the mattress last night.

“Ew. I do not need that many details about my brother’s sex life, William. But yeah, I can clearly see the problem. You and your husband, who you’re madly in love with, had sex. Sounds awful. Are you okay??”Niamh asks sarcastically.

“Not helpful. Everythin’ is still such a big mess between us. Until a week ago, we hadn’t spoken a word to each other in twelve months.” I sigh.

“That’s not entirely accurate. Phoenix reached out to you plenty during that time; you were just too stubborn to answer the phone. So yes, in answer to your original question, you are the problem.”I’m suddenly not entirely sure why I called Niamh. The woman would jump in front of a bus for me, but she’s never been inclined to tell me what I want to hear.

“I would like to go on record to say I agree with Niamh. You are the problem,”Will chirps down the phone after her.

“So good talkin’ to you guys. Gotta go. I’m drivin' through a giant tunnel. Probably won’t be able to speak again for several months. PS, I hope your hookup has erectile dysfunction, Will.” I shout down the phone. Right before I cut off the call, I hear Will saying that’s the meanest thing I’ve ever said to him.

When I get home, there’s no sign of Phoenix in the house, so I make a start on unpacking the boxes stacked in the kitchen. The majority is Phoenix’s stuff because most of my belongings didn’t survive my bad temper last year.

After I’ve unpacked the kitchen and living room, I head upstairs and shuffle my boxes into the currently empty spare bedroom. Pushing them up against the far wall to deal with later, I grab today’s purchases from the boot of the car to set up my temporary bedroom furniture.

By the time Phoenix gets home, it’s tea time, and he quickly starts clattering around in the kitchen.

“Thanks for sorting out the boxes,” he says as I walk into the room.

“No problem. Where were you today?” I ask, even though I know it’s not really any of my business.

“I look after Henry for a few hours most Sundays so Jasper and Jade can get some time alone. And yes, I’m pretty sure it’sas gross as it sounds.” He winces, and I let out a chuckle in response.

“Oh shit, sorry, you needed your car, didn’t you?” I say as soon as I realise.

“No, it’s fine. I enjoyed the run; helped clear my head. We’ve absolutely no food in the house, by the way. Do you want to order in?” he asks and takes out his phone, I assume to see where will deliver.

“Sure, you pick.”

“Damn, looks like there’s only Indian that delivers. I think this pizza place might do collection, though.”

“I’m good with Indian if you are?” I ask. He frowns at me in confusion.

“What are you talking about? You don’t like Indian food.”

“When have I ever said I don’t like Indian food?”

“Literally any time I ever picked up food for us, you’d say ‘just not a curry’,” he fairly points out. My cheeks flush as I remember my reasoning.

“Oh yeah, erm…Well, I do. So we can order it.”

“Explain, please,” he says, looking at me like I’ve been withholding pertinent information from him all this time.

“Or…I could not. And you could just order the food?” I ask hopefully. His arched eyebrow tells me we will not be eating until I explain this very minor miscommunication. This is not the kind of chat you want to be having before your tea.

“I bottom…” I say slowly, hoping he understands my meaning without forcing me to elaborate. His cheeks go pink at the statement, and I wish I didn’t find that so cute. He coughs to clear his throat.

“I’m aware… I was there. What’s your point?” he asks me in a way that someone who has only ever topped would ask. I sigh, knowing I’m going to have to spell this out.

“Well, Phoenix, if you’re going to have someone’s dick in your arse, it’s usually best not to have a load of spicy food beforehand. Comprende?” Now his whole face is blushing, and it’s hard not to laugh.

“Oh.” His eyes widen in recognition.

“Yeah, oh. Now, can we order the food?”

“Why didn’t you ever tell me? It seems like something I should have known.” He looks genuinely put out that I haven’t mentioned this to him before. We were always pretty open about anything related to sex, but I never felt the need to go into detail regarding how I went about preparing myself beforehand.

“It wasn’t as if I was keepin' it a secret. I kind of assumed you knew.”

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