Page 16 of Curious
“I didn’t say you did. I think it’s very ill thought out, but whatever. If this is how you choose to solve problems, then so be it.”
I roll my eyes. “Thanks for your vote of confidence.”
“You know you never need my approval.” He studies me again briefly at a red light, then goes back to driving. “Still … you sure you’re going to be okay? After Leah?”
“I’m fine,” I snap.
“Okay, okay, I get it. We don’t talk about her. We’ll focus on this wedding.” Charlie’s lips curve in a sly grin. “Do you need a witness?”
“Sure,” I say. “Hell, come be my best man.”
“What were you going to have me do? Wait in the car?”
“Nah. You can come in.”
He laughs. “I thought I was just driving you someplace. This is hilarious. Should I film you for Ad/VICE?”
“No.”
“Why not? You’d get the followers’ hopes up that you’re going to have some romance with a cute guy.”
I shake my head. “This is private. But it’s okay if you take some photos.”
“Did you tell Reyna?”
“No. Yesterday she told me she had court today, so I didn’t ask her.” I also didn’t want the earful I’m sure to get when she learns about this.
“What are Mom and Dad going to say?”
“Mom and Dad aren’t going to say anything, because they’re not going to find out. This istemporary. Until I get healed, and then probably a little bit longer—until we get settled. That’s it.”
“Well, you already know some divorce attorneys,” he says wryly.
I sigh. “I know.” I hate the thought of getting a divorce. I realize they’re very common, but our folks are still together, and I’d always imagined that when I got married, it would be for keeps—someone of my own to love forever.
Oh well. I have to be practical. Shelby’s doing me a big favor with the insurance coverage, and it’s not like he’s getting in the way of me dating someone else. I’ve been doing fine on my own since Leah walked out on me, so another few months that way shouldn’t be a big deal. I just hope Shelby won’t end up regretting it—he’s cute and sweet, and he could probably find a real boyfriend in a second if he wanted to. Someone a million times better than that jackass Evan.
Too bad Shelby and I can’t be a couple for real. It would make things a lot simpler, but men have never been on my dance card, as it were. I mean, I’ve thought about it before. I even spent a day in high school—after Charlie came out—wondering if I, too, was gay. But none of the guys there did it for me. The female cheerleaders? Yeah, they did. So I figured I was straight, and that was that.
Then there was the time I accidentally walked in on a friend of Charlie’s doing the nasty with another guy at one of Charlie’s college parties. I initially reacted like any straight guy, wanting to disinfect my eyeballs. But after I got my thoughts under control, I realized that they’d sounded like they were having a good time, and I wasn’t opposed to having a good time.
Over the years, I’ve attended a ton of LGBT+ events with my siblings, but I haven’t been tempted by anyone other than women.
Still, I know that sexuality is fluid. A spectrum. There aren’t painted lines that delineate who you like and what you are. People try to put you in boxes that don’t really exist. I don’t have any hang-ups about the idea of having a romantic or sexual relationship with a man.
But I’m pretty sure I’m straight. And I’m pretty sure that in this instance, it doesn’t matter. Shelby finds me convenient—I saved his ass, twice, and now he’s saving mine. That’s all.
This isn’t like the last time I said “I do.” Shelby’s not going to leave me at the altar. That was intended to be real. This isn’t.
We both know the deal going in.
CHAPTER6
Camden
“You ready?” Charlie asks as we walk up to the government building. I can’t read his expression. Is he happy for me? Feeling sorry? He and I have gone through a lot together, but this has to top the list for weirdness.
After all, it’s not every day you get married to someone you barely know.
