Page 158 of Glass Jawed
Lucian claps him on the shoulder with a dry smile. “Come on, guest of dishonor. Let’s get you fed before Kashvi returns with a knife.”
Together, they head off toward the center hall, Liam still mumbling about“Vee”not giving him a chance and Lucian trying not to laugh.
??????
The game night is not going well.
For starters, Kash and Liam are suspiciously missing. I caught a glimpse of them arguing in the courtyard earlier, but now—poof. Gone. Together. That can’t be good.
What’s left of the squad is me, Ishi, Simran, Vikram, Advik, Navya... and Lucian. The uncles, aunties, and kids bowed out over half an hour ago, understandably so. We started with good oldAntakshariand Charades—classic, harmless. Then someone decided to play Telephone—aka Chinese Whisper.
But this wasn’t the childhood version. No. This was grown-up, boundary-testing, toe-curling Telephone, and the older folks made a tactical exit before someone whispered “handcuffs” into their ear.
The crowd has thinned out dramatically. I don’t mind—it’s late anyway.
I’ve been dodging Advik all night. He tried to talk to me earlier, but it didn’t feel right. Not with everything that’shappened. We’re friends, yes. But after what we shared—and after what Irealized—I think some space is necessary.
Especially after that conversation last night, right before we ran into Lucian outside his room. It’s been looping in my head too.
??????
“Are you okay?” Advik asked, as we both quietly pulled our clothes back on.
“Yeah...” I replied, dazed. “I’m... I’m not sure we should do this again, though.”
He frowned and stepped closer. “Why? I mean—I’m fine either way, but... what’s in your head?”
I sighed. “I guess I thought that maybe... doing this would fix something. That my brain would just stop screaming all those ugly things at me. It didn’t.”
“Shit,” he muttered. Then after a pause: “Listen, I’m all for you trying to reclaim sex on your terms. I get it’s hard—especially after everything people have said. And I don’t know what that...Luciandid. But—and please don’t take this the wrong way—I think you’re confusing sex with intimacy.”
That stung. But I stayed silent—trying to absorb his words.
He continued. “Listen... sex requires trust and attraction. Intimacy? Well, I think that requires both of those—andfeelings.”
My eyes widened and I let out a disbelieving laugh. “Are you a therapist now?”
He shrugged. “I’ve known you for years, Rohi. Our attraction? It’s always been there. But I don’t think that’s what you’re really looking for. I think... you’re trying to find out ifhestill wants you. Not just someone.Him. After whatever happened.”
My breath caught in my throat. “I want to yell at you and sayno. I really, really do. But... that’s a one-dimensional answer.”
I groaned. “I think I need to talk to Ruth.”
“Ruth?”
“My therapist,” I mumbled, embarrassed.
He gave me a small, understanding smile. “Good. I think you should.”
??????
That conversation hasn’t left me. Not for a second. Not because it hurt—but because it felt...accurate. And I need someone to help dissect it for me.
So now, here we are. Me pretending to be okay. Lucian sitting across the room, probably doing the same. Advik avoiding eye contact too, likely trying to respect the distance I’ve built.
So yeah. Game night? A disaster in slow motion.
After one round of Telephone ends, Lucian glances at his phone and excuses himself quietly.
