Page 101 of The Manny

“Yes.” He nodded, looking pleased. “Finally.”

I cleared my throat, trying to harden my heart. “We… we… need to stop sleeping together.”

His face changed, shock replacing satisfaction. “What? Why?”

“Because it’s for the best.”

His jaw hardened. “Because of what Gus said?”

“No.”

“I don’t believe you. I don’t understand why you’d suddenly decide something like that without even talking to me.”

“Sorry. It probably seems sudden to you… but I’ve been thinking about this for a while,” I lied.

“I don’t understand.”

“If you stop and think about it, Thomas, you’ll see I’m right. This was supposed to be casual. Meaningless.” I felt breathless as the words left my mouth. “But you’re in my bed almost every night.”

He narrowed his eyes. “And you seriously expect me to believe you’re not saying this because of what Gus told you today?”

“Look, perhaps the things he said did knock some sense into me.”

“He waslying, Jack.”

I winced. “Well, whether he was or not, I’ve decided I’m getting way too comfortable with how things have been between us.”

“We’ve been having fun. We’re not hurting anyone.”

“We’re moving toward something I don’t want. I’ve always been upfront about not wanting a relationship.”

“I know.” His face tensed. “For the record, if you didn’t want me in your bed, all you had to do was say so. Most of the time it was your idea.”

I sighed. “I know. I’m not blaming you. I’m trying to say I need space. I’m starting to care about you, and Idon’twantthat.”

“What’s so bad about it, Jack?” he asked quietly.

I gritted my teeth. “I can’t do it. I won’t do it.”

“Fucking Gus,” he hissed.

“This was inevitable, Thomas.”

He watched me, different emotions fluttering through his eyes. When he finally spoke, he sounded calmer but bitter. “If you don’t want to sleep with me anymore, I have no choice but to accept that.” He leaned closer. “But I’d still like to hear you say you don’t believe those things Gus said about me, Jack.”

“How could I possibly know if he’s lying?”

“Really, Jack?” His eyes glittered with frustration.

“I’m simply saying, I wasn’t there.”

“No. You weren’t. But you know me.” He shook his head. “You know, I believed you before.”

“What do you mean?”

He jabbed a finger at me. “When you told me what really happened with you and Kenny, I listened. I believed you. I didn’t tell you I didn’t know what to think because I wasn’t there. Ilistenedand took your word as fact.”

My face warmed because that was true. He had listened. He’d been compassionate and warm. He’d completely taken my side, based solely on my word. Shame nudged me as I held his gaze.

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