Page 47 of Contingently Yours
“I’ll see if we’re free.”
“Befree, so I have someone to talk to.”
“Lucky me.” He yawns. “That it?”
“Yeah. Bye.”
“Goodnight.”
He may give shit advice, but at least he’s a good listener and never lets emotions get in the way. There aren’t many people in my life like that.
“Shaw?” I call just as he starts to lower his phone.
“Huh?”
I try the salutation out to see how it feels. “I love you.”
His head rears back, and you’d think I just shot him with a stun gun. “Oh, my God.” He cracks up, shaking his head. “You need help.”
The call ends, telling me what he thinks of how much I value ourcousinhood. What the fuck am I doing? Trying to be like Lucas?
No. That’s stupid. I’m trying to be the opposite of Lucas right now. I remind myself of that on my way back to our room.
As I get into bed and brush up against his Andrew-don’t-jerk-me pillow, I see red again and jam a pillow of my own up next to it. Two can play this game.
Lying back, I close my eyes and sigh, suddenly exhausted. I’m tired of playing games. It feels like my entire life has been a game to some degree or another. Doing just enough of what my parents expected of me without pulling my hair out. Being the messenger boy between them and Uncle Lou’s side of the family. Charming women over and over until I found one who didn’t expect anything from me. Trying to convince her she’d never have to expect anything from me only to find out she’s foolishly dreaming about expectations. This game, however, the one between Lucas and me, needs to end. I’m not about to wake up with my hand on his dick again and then have to be an asshole when he starts breathing heavy like he was dreaming about it all night. He needs to step up to the plate and take a turn because it’s getting exhausting being one all the time.
CHAPTER 16
Lucas
Nothing has gone right for my half of the Massachusetts showings. It’s been raining all damn day, and the first house had a leak in the roof. A full-on leak that collapsed in the kitchen above all the appliances, so Lord knows how long it was dripping down inside the walls. We got back in the rental car and took the guys out for lunch, hoping that would help salvage the shitshow and then headed to this property, but not before it became an apocalyptic thunderstorm.
Everyone was soaked to the bone by the time we hauled our bags inside. And because fate hates me, as I was changing into dry clothes in my room, the fucking power went out.
At least we’re dry and under a roof that isn’t leaking for the day, but this is not a good start to my goal of selling them their dream home. I think it’s the best property we’ve shown them in Massachusetts, and I haven’t even gotten the chance to show it off. It has a four-car garage, a guest house, a pool, and ample acreage within walking distance of the beach. Their first view of the primary bedroom, though, was using their phone flashlights just to find clothes in their suitcases.
“I’m so sorry,” I apologize again as we all congregate in the kitchen, freshly dressed.
As though fate hasn’t screwed with me enough, a loud crack of thunder resounds, shaking the house and lightning brightens everyone’s faces momentarily.
“Ah, no worries. Better luck tomorrow, mate,” Dario assures me.
“Yeah. Lazy day in the dark.” Mason shrugs. “We’ll be grand.”
“I still feel horrible. Again, I’m sorry about that leak at the last place. This property is amazing, though. It has everything you want and more. I just…wish I could show it to you.”
“Really, Lucas. It’s fine,” Keenan says. “We can wait until the storm is over. We’ll be roughing it soon once we head to Australia. A day off is fine by us. Why don’t you and Andrew do the same?”
I think that’s Keenan’s way of ensuring I know he meant what he said at dinner last night. I glance at Andrew, who’s leaning against the counter, arms folded across his chest, staring at his feet. Of course, he lets me take the lead when it’s a total fuck up of a day. I nod at Keenan and smile, however, even though I’d rather have anything else to do than kill time with my boyfriend.
The Hepperlys head to their room. Maybe to unpack, but probably to fuck because I was just considering that a nap might be a good way to pass the time. Andrew starts down the hallway after them toward our room, and I silently hope he has to hear their mating calls as punishment for being a ginormous jerk.
I meander to the living room and plop down on the couch. The view out the wall of windows overlooking the backyard is completely obscured by the tsunami-like conditions. It reminds me of when I take my truck through the carwash, but it provides the most natural light out of any room in the house. I stare out of them, grimacing over the rest of the events from this morning.
I woke up feeling warm and at peace, an arm hugging my chest. No hand on my dick. Andrew was spooning me, and for abrief moment, it was just as nice as our intimacy yesterday, but in a different, less chaotic way. It was…reallynice.
There was something about being held by someone so commanding and sure of themselves, as though I was getting a special view of a tender side he keeps locked away. I wish he would show that side more often, if it even is a side of him. Maybe he’s only gentle in his sleep.
