Page 82 of Single Teddy
“I feel good about it. Well, kinda. I’m not sure it fits me exactly. I don’t know. I need to sit with it for a while before I can say for certain?—”
“You know these are all just labels, right? You don’t have to identify with anything or everything, and you don’t have to give yourself a label unless, I don’t know, it’ll make you feel better. So I wouldn’t rush or stress about giving it a name yet. Unless, like I said, that feels important to you.”
I nodded along, and Slade held my hand as if to reiterate his point.
“I hear you. But…it does feel important. I’ve always liked having a plan. A name for things. But you’re right. There’s no rush in putting a label on myself.”
“Exactly.” He patted my back. “And I’d definitely experiment some more with Wesley. If he’s up for that.”
I chuckled.
“Oh he definitely is.”
“Well.” Slade’s smile brightened. “Then go forth, doctor. Do some further testing.”
“You’re right,” I said and grabbed my phone to shoot Wesley a reply.
Teddy:
Not at all. I feel the same way. So…
Wesley:
So…???
Teddy:
When are you free?
Slade laughed, and I looked up at him.
“What?” I asked.
“Nothing. Go get him, tiger.”
I rolled my eyes and sat back in the chair while waiting for Wesley’s response, but trying not to show my impatience.
Who could have told me that barely a month into my life in Mayberry Holm, things would change so exponentially that I’d feel so…different. Like a whole new person. And even if they had told me, would I have believed them, really?
My phone beeped, and I couldn’t have grabbed it faster.
Wesley:
I think it’s a matter of when you are free.
I looked up at Slade.
“How do you feel about babysitting tonight?” I asked him.
Slade crossed his arms, furrowed his brows, and huffed with his entire body.
“Hm…” he grumbled. “Nah, I’m just fucking with you. You go get your dick and we’ll throw a pajama party.”
I smiled.
“Thank you so much. I’m so grateful I could kiss you right now.”
Slade grimaced.
