Page 78 of Coco and the Misfits

I try to sidestep him. “Fuck off. It’s none of your business.”

“So polite.” I sharp grin. “You’re Coco’s friend, aren’t you?”

A bitter laugh escapes me. “Friend. Right.”

“Or lover.”

“I wish,” I growl.

“And what’s stopping you?”

“It’s not that simple,” I mutter.

“Sure it is, with a pretty girl like her.”

“She means more to me than that.” I don’t know why I’m spilling my guts to this guy I barely know. “If you’d slept with her, you’d know what I mean.”

He rubs his eyes and gives a dry laugh. “Well, that sure complicates things.”

“Does it?”

“Yeah. Because I did sleep with her.”

“You fucker!” I shove at him, anger rising in me like a black wave. “What the hell?”

“It was consensual, I assure you.”

“Fuck you.” I shove him again and he lets me. “You slept with her and then you go around telling people about it? Worse, you slept with her and felt nothing? Did you hurt her? She’s a golden girl, with the best heart you’ll ever meet.” I shake my head, glaring. “Tell me you didn’t fuck her and leave her.”

He laughs again, more bitterly than before. “Hell, man, if you’re so in love with her, why don’t you propose?”

“Still none of your business.”

“Go start a pack and make her your omega. She’s sweet, and her pussy is?—”

“Shut your fucking piehole,” I hiss, pulling my fist back, “or I’ll cut off your dick and choke you with it.”

His brows go up. “Hold your guns. Maybe you really are in love with her. Take my advice, boy.” He leans in, putting a hand on my clenched fist. “You say she has the best heart. That may be so, but it has a dark shard in it. Are you ready for her? Ready to accept her as she is?”

And with that parting shot, he turns around and goes.

I’d run after him and kick him in the balls, only I can barely walk.

Goddammit!

The cold shower helps. As does my right hand. My two roommates spend an hour knocking on the door, though, calling me names, and I’m still sore and exhausted by the time I stumble into my room.

This solution isn’t practical. It’s not a real solution.

I could just stay away from Coco. The week when I didn’t see her, the problem didn’t present itself. But that would mean… staying away from Coco.

Just when I decided I’d like to spend more time with her.

Get to know her better.

Explore possibilities.

Explore her body.

---