Page 71 of Rock Me All Night
"So that house—"
"It's mine."
"He's the one you inherited from?"
Miles nods.
"Oh, I'm sorry that you lost him."
"Thank you." His eyes go to the ocean. "Took me six months to smile after he died. It's still a struggle some days. So I know it still hurts you, that your sister lied to you. I can only imagine." His expression fills with vulnerability. "I'm not going to lie to you like that."
For the first time ever, Miles isn't confident. There's uncertainty all over his face. His brow is knotted, his eyes turned down.
"There's nothing you need to know," he says. "I promise."
The words don't feel quite right, but I can't bring myself to ask him to promise.
* * *
Back at hisuncle's place—his place, I guess—I change into a pair of extra boxers and a t-shirt. His extra clothes. Not some random thing he keeps around for the disposable women he brings here.
We settle onto the couch.
Miles slides his arm around my shoulder. I rest my head on his chest. It's comfortable, being here with him. It's normal.
He turns on the TV and his PS4 and scrolls through a streaming service.
He runs a hand through my hair. "This is what you want to watch, right?"
He navigates toThe Lost World. He's mocking me.
"Clever," I say.
"It's 'clever girl,' and that's in the first movie."
"Clever boy."
"I'd love to watch dinosaurs destroy San Diego, but if you'd rather watch something else, go for it." He hands me the remote.
"You're going to mock me whatever I pick."
His breath is warm on my ear. He runs his hand along the neckline of my t-shirt, his t-shirt. "Likely."
I arch my back, pressing my chest into his hands. "Convince me to pick something."
"Convince you how?" His fingertips skim my skin.
"Like that," I breathe.
"I like the confidence."
"You're stalling."
He slides his hand into my shirt, his fingertips brushing my nipple. "Why would I do that?"
"It's smart, really. You're pressed against me on the couch. You get to mock me and have your way with me at the same time."
He smiles. "Some part of this you don't like?"
