Page 21 of Numbers Boy
Steve bites his lower lip, a tiny frown marring his expression, making me wonder what he’s thinking about. I decide to take his mind off whatever it is.
“I’ve never seenDoctor Who,” I admit. “But I likeLord of the Rings, and anything with mysteries is an instant yes for me. Blake and I have a true crime murder show we watch together every week.”
“That’s awesome,” Steve says, face brightening once again.
After a little more discussion, I put onParks and Recsince I know it’s something we’ve both seen before, and neither of us will have to use too much brainpower to keep up with the plot. While Leslie Knope gets up to her hijinks, I take the chance to ask some of the questions I’ve been wondering about.
“You said you have a book club you’re part of?”
“Yep! Well, it’s less of an actual book club and more of an excuse for my group of college friends to get together more regularly than we had been.”
“That’s great,” I tell him, knowing how much I would miss Blake if we didn’t see each other every day. “I’m assuming your friend Stu is part of that?”
Steve gives a happy little hum, tucking his legs up underneath him as he speaks. “Absolutely. Our group all met in college. Henry, he’s our unofficial ringleader since he’s the reason we all met, calls us the Working Boys. But Stu and I have been friends much longer. He and his dad moved to my hometown just before first grade, and they just so happened to move in next door to me and my dad. Since they were both single parents, whenever one of our dads had to work, we’d go over to the other’s house. So, we basically grew up as brothers.”
Between us, Steve’s phone vibrates in his pocket, and he wiggles around to get it, then laughs when he reads something on the screen, mumbling something about “Speak of the devil.”
“What’s up?” I ask, and he turns the phone slightly so I can see a text thread between him and Stu.
Stu-boo: Hey, some chick just asked me to send nudes. What should I tell her?
I laugh and grab a handful of popcorn and chocolate, curious to see what he’ll message back. I watch as he types out a reply and hits Send.
Steve: I’m assuming from the fact that you’re asking me that actual nudes are out of the question
Steve: If you don’t want to send any, tell her that. Or take a pic of all my nude lipsticks and send that. *lipstick emoji*
I snort another laugh, and he grins cheekily up at me. “One of the many benefits of having an extensive makeup collection.”
The phone buzzes again, and we both lean in to see what Stu said.
Stu-boo: Well, that got rid of her nice and quick. Thanks, dude!
Steve: Any time, Stu-boo *kiss mark emoji*
Steve: Now leave me alone, I’m at Noah’s *winky face emoji*
Stu-boo: Be safe, make good choices! And tell Noah hi from me! *waving emoji*
I smile at being included, even while Steve rolls his eyes, a fond quirk to his lips. Personally, I’m glad that he and Stu are so close. Blake and I have each had more than one potential partner get scared off by our friendship, so hearing about them growing up together and seeing this exchange between Steve and Stu has me thinking we might be okay.
“Stu says hi.”
“Yeah, I got that, thanks.” I chuckle. “Does Stu often have trouble with girls asking for more than he wants to give them? Most guys have the opposite problem.”
“Sometimes, yeah. He’s a big sweetheart, so I think sometimes he goes along with what his girlfriends and hookups want because it’s easier than saying no. Not that he doesn’t enjoy what they do, but it’s never him deciding, I guess? I don’t really know how to describe it.” Steve shrugs and leans his head against my shoulder. He pulls up Instagram and shows me a picture of a tall, muscular guy who I recognize from the first picture he sent me on Valentine’s Day. He’s clearly at a gym, posing with his bicep flexed in front of a mirror with a row of barbells next to him. “Plus, he’s a six-foot-tall personal trainer, so all of his posts tend to turn into thirst traps. He was impressed with your photo, by the way. Said you were totally flexing for me.”
Heat curls in my gut when Steve tilts his head to stare beguilingly up at me from beneath his long lashes. Like he wants to see more of what I teased him with that night. Well, that makes two of us.
“And what do you think?” I ask, letting my hand trail down his arm and subtly pulling him closer while soaking up his heat through the soft material of his shirt.
“I think I’m excited for spring to hurry up and get here so you’re not wearing sweatshirts all the time,” he says, setting the snack bowl on the side table and bringing his hand back to rest on my chest. He toys with the hoodie strings, biting his lower lip as he twirls them around his long, slim fingers. There’s a freckle on the inside of his ring finger that catches my eye. “Although, they do make you look extra cuddly and warm.”
“Feel free to cuddle me whenever you want,” I offer, my voice coming out lower than I expected. I glide my hand that’s not wrapped around him up his thigh, splaying my fingers wide to touch as much of him as I can. “Wouldn’t want you getting cold.”
“That would be a shame,” Steve whispers as his fingers slip under the hem of my sweatshirt and rest against my stomach. The slight temperature difference sends a chill up my spine, and I fight the urge to shiver. He leans forward, and I do the same, our lips finally meeting.
The first touch causes more heat to pool in my gut before spreading even lower. Steve’s lips are the softest I’ve ever felt, with a slight smooth stickiness from his lip gloss. I press closer to deepen the kiss, and I feel more than hear Steve gasp. He matches my energy, fingers digging into my abs as I lick into his hot mouth, and I wonder if he’s been waiting for this moment just as long as I have.
