Page 46 of Defect
I wasn’t a fucking boy.
I felt a flare of anger rise to the surface heating my skin but I breathed through it like Solana taught me.
“No!” Solo hissed quietly. “He’s just a kid. We’re friends. He means a lot to me but it’s not like that.”
“Then how is it? Because when I look at you two I see two people who are fucking.”
“Well, you’re looking at something the wrong way. He’s a friend. A good friend.”
“How is he a good friend? You haven’t even known him for a month.” Amaris’ voice wasn’t exactly soft either. I moved around on the couch hoping it would alert them to the fact that I was still sitting there and I wasn’t deaf.
“Our energy…it clicks. I’ve never clicked with anyone like this before. Just…let me be happy, okay?”
“I’m all for you being happy but why does it sound like you’re pleading with me to understand your choice in a relationship?”
“I’m not,” Solana muttered. “Let me have a friend. Okay?”
“You need to remember he’s a friend. You were practically eye-fucking him right in front of me. You’re going to lead him on.”
“I’m not. If anything, he’s much more in control than I am.” I could hear the pout in her voice. I raised my eyebrows at that shit. How could she think I was more in control than her?
I wanted her so bad it hurt. I wore my faux control like a shield around my true desire. Maybe that’s why it seemed like I was in charge of my feelings.
“At least one of you is an adult,” Amaris scolded quietly.
“Whatever. I don’t know why this is such a big deal. Why can’t I be friends with someone younger than me?”
“You’re not just friends with that boy. You like him a lot. He likes you too. It’s trouble, Solana.”
“Let me deal with my own trouble then, Amaris.” The two sisters fell silent. Their conversation left me with a soft dick…thank god.
When they emerged from the kitchen I didn’t raise my eyes to Solana even though I could feel her eyes on me. “Nice seeing you again, Ezra. I’m gonna head home before Solana cracks open another bottle and I have to spend the night.”
“Nice seeing you too, Amaris. Be safe going home.”
“Thank you.” She then turned to her sister and raised her eyebrows conveying a message only for them. “Love you, Solana.”
“Love you too, bitch.” Solana narrowed her eyes in a playful squint but I heard the serious bite to her words. Once the front door closed, Solana turned her gaze to me and I was helplessly snared. “Want a glass of wine?” She asked with a sigh.
“Nah. I wanna know what’s going on with you though. Why are you drinking and why are your inhibitions so low?” I touched her beautiful dark hair, letting it slip between my fingers like black water.
“There’s a lot on my mind right now. That’s why my sister was over here. She was helping me get my mind off everything.”
“Everything like what?” I asked, dragging my knuckles along her arm. Goosebumps spread over her flawless skin and she shuddered. I liked watching what my touch did to her. I wondered how she’d react if I touched her somewhere else. Somewhere slippery and sweet.
“My ex’s son…” She said quietly. I brought my thoughts back to the seriousness of the moment and nodded.
“You told me the caseworker went to his place this weekend, right?” She gave me a nod and we sat on the couch. She draped her smooth chocolate legs across mine and I slid my hands up her thighs. It was pure instinct to touch her. She was a glimmer of mocha gold that I couldn’t resist. She didn’t pull away though. I made sure to stop myself before my fingertips slipped under the hem of her shorts.
“The caseworker went there and I won’t know anything until Monday when Amaris gets the report. In the meantime, I’m losing my shit because I don’t know if Vince is going to hurt him as some sick form of punishment.” Tears rolled down her cheeks and the sight twisted my heart in a wicked way.
“You’re worried about him.”
“Yeah. I haven’t heard anything from him yet and it’s getting so late.” Her voice was hoarse and raw from emotion sawing at it. I pulled her closer to me and she climbed in my lap. She rested her knees on either side of me and wrapped her arms around my neck, hiding her face against my shoulder.
God, I wish she wouldn’t sit on me like that.
With a heavy sigh, I made a silent plea to the universe to give me all the strength I’d need to keep my composure and remain platonic. Her tiny body settled into my lap like a perfect puzzle piece snapping into place. Like she was everything I’d been missing.
