Page 31 of Numbers Boy
I roll my eyes at my best friend, who just grins at me.
“No, he didn’t. Tell me about this guy, Stevie,” my dad prompts, voice carefully neutral. While he’s always been supportive of my sexuality, he’s been worried about me since everything that happened with Adam. Fortunately, I can actually give him good news about my dating life right now.
“He’s great, but it might be a little soon for the boyfriend label. He’s the guy I hired to help with Stacy. I’m actually hanging out with him and his nieces tonight.”
“Meeting family, huh? That’s a pretty big step. And you’ve met him, Stu? He’s got friend approval?”
Stu’s grin widens. “I actually haven’t met him, but he’s got full friend approval so far.”
“Okay, well, you two keep me updated. And how are things with you, Stu?”
“They’re good. Same old, same old for me.”
We all spend a few more minutes catching up before my dad has to go. Once we hang up, I turn to Stu and ask him again.
“Okay, no parents listening in, how are things really going with you, Stu-boo?”
“Things are fine.” He shrugs, making my body shift since I’m still resting against him. “Work is good. And I’m about halfway through the book for brunch at the end of the month.”
“Any hot dates?” I ask, knowing he has been letting dating take a back seat for the past few months. After the “send nudes” girl a few weeks ago, I don’t think he’s even been flirting with anyone.
“Nah,” Stu says breezily. But I know my best friend. I tilt my head up to face him and see his eyes glued to Stacy’s fur.
“Somebody’s out there for you,” I promise him and slip my hand into his. He squeezes gently, lips twitching into a tiny smile. “Or if not, Henry was telling me the other day about a great cock sleeve he just got. It suctions to the wall and everything.”
Stu barks out a laugh, his dimple finally making an appearance when he turns to me. “I think I’m still set with the last sex toy Henry recommended. Speaking of which, I’m gonna head out. Enjoy your night, Stevie.” He winks at me and stands, causing both me and Stacy to shift from where we were basically using him as a human pillow.
“You too, dude.”
Soon after Stu leaves, the buzzer sounds, and I let up my guests for the evening. As Noah ushers in the two girls, my first reaction is how similar they all look. That feeling only intensifies when they look up at me, and I see their eyes, all the same shade of brown.
“Holy sh-nikes, you all look alike,” I say, catching myself at the last second before the swear can escape. But, damn, the genes are hella strong in this family. “Look at your eyes!”
“Yep, they’ve both got the Baxter browns, just like me and Amy,” Noah agrees, leaning in to give me a kiss on the cheek, his lips still a bit chilly from the outside air. “Hi.”
“Hi. And sorry, girls, I didn’t mean to be so rude.” I raise a hand and give them a wave. “I’m Steve.”
“No, duh,” the taller one, Isabella, mutters under her breath, so quietly I’m not sure if she meant for anyone to hear it.
“Manners,” comes the instant reprimand from Noah, but I get it.
“Yeah, that was a bit obvious, huh? I guess I’m just a little nervous meeting you both.”
That makes her pause, head tilting ever so slightly to the side as she looks at me again. After a few seconds, her shoulders lower a touch, and she waves back. “I’m Isabella.”
“And I’m Lilly!” her younger sister pipes in, waving enthusiastically before wrapping her little arms around me in a hug. I hug her back, happy that we seem to be off to a fairly good start. Now to bring out the big guns.
“I heard you girls were a big help with Stacy the other weekend. Should we go hang out with her?”
A resounding yes comes from all parties, so we head down the hall to Stacy, who’s waiting on her bed where I had her lie down. Her tail is wagging, thumping on the floor like she’s tapping her foot impatiently.
“Alright, Stacy, go say hi.”
Immediately, she’s circling at the girls’ feet, all of them looking as happy as can be. While they’re occupied, Noah slides up to my side and slips his hand in mine. I squeeze it, the gesture making my stomach flip.
“Sorry about Isabella. She’s probably going to be a bit shy and standoffish, but she’ll come around.”
Eyes swinging to his, I shake my head, wanting to take away the doubt sitting there. “I promise, it’s okay. I don’t think she meant it to be rude, and a little preteen sass is nothing. Now, want to help me get snacks? They’re all set up, just have to be brought out from the kitchen.”
