Page 63 of Fox
Fox nods and rubs his hands together anxiously. “I care about you, Janie, but you’ve got to realize how bad of an idea it is for us to be physical.”
I set Winston up in his cat tree's hammock before returning to Fox. “We’ve already been physical,” I state, crossing my arms.
“Yeah, and look at where we are now,” Fox huffs. “You are a stay-at-home cat mom, living in my house, and you’re trying to fuck me again. Meanwhile, I’m full of anxiety and guilt.”
“Don’t bring Winston into this,” I snap, “And you told me to live here. I’ve told you several times now I’ll move out. You asked me to stay. You want me gone? I’ll leave.”
“No, I don't want you gone!” He runs his hands through his hair in frustration. “I just… I can’t be your boyfriend, Janie. I won’t be, and I need you to understand that because when you kiss me like that when you look at me the way you did in the pool the other day. It makes me feel like I’m in a boyfriend zone.”
Huh. Well, that hurts far more than getting turned down for sex. I look at his pleading face, and I have the urge to punch him. Hard. But how can I? Fox has said several times he is not getting into a relationship with me. If I went ahead and caught feelings, that’s my own fault.
“If you don’t want to be in a boyfriend zone,” I say slowly, my shaky voice betraying me. “Stop doing boyfriend things. I need to move out. This isn’t working. I need you to stop buying me things. Don’t call me beautiful, just fucking stop!”
“Janie, you don’t want me—”
“Stop!” The scream comes out as a plea, and I shake my head. “I’m not a child, Fox. Despite what you might think. I know what I want. If you don’t, I won’t force you. I get it, you can’t help who you want.”
He looks like he’s about to speak again when my phone rings.
I see the look of annoyance on his face when I grab it, but what do I care? Not my boyfriend, not my problem.
“Hey Ren.” I try to put on a neutral tone when I answer. Fox doesn’t move from his spot, and he continues to glower at me with his intense hazel eyes.
“Janie…” Ren’s sad tone grabs my attention.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, and Fox blinks and comes closer. I shove him away, not wanting his intoxicating presence near me.
“Can you come over, please?” She cries into the phone, and I instantly head toward the door, slipping on my flip-flops.
“I’m coming over now,” I say before hanging up the phone.
“I’ll drive you,” Fox says, and I hold my hand up to stop him.
“Fox, I can go to Ren’s by myself.”
He looks genuinely confused as he crosses his arms over his chest. “Ren is my friend, too.”
“She didn’t call you,” I say defensively on my way to the door. “Besides,” I sigh when I grab the knob and look back at him. “Some distance might be good for us. Make sure you feed Winston in an hour if I’m not back.” I shut the door without waiting for a response as I head to my car, eager to put all the distance I can between him and me.
“That son of a bitch!”I yell as Ren opens the door and I see her swollen, split lip.
“Please,” she cries, and she curls into me. “I know you’re tiny, but I need you to wrap me in your massive dick energy.” I give her a forced laugh while patting her back and walking with her to her couch where her blue-eyed husky, Bruno, lays, eagerly wagging his fluffy tail while awaiting his mandatory pats.
“So, what happened?” I ask while scratching Bruno’s ear.
Ren looks away, almost as if she’s embarrassed. “I went out on a Tinder date. It was going so well until his wife showed up.”
“Oh no,” I wince, and she nods, confirming where I believe the story is going.
“Yeah,” she sighs. “She called me a fat slut, and then backhanded me.” She forces out a laugh. “Her engagement ring busted my lip.”
“Oh sweetie,” I pat her thigh. “You know…”
“Save it,” she groans. “I know, I’m a catch, I’ll find my perfect man one day, blah blah blah.”
“Well, it doesn't seem like I’m needed at all.” I laugh, and she groans while laying her head on my lap.
“Janie, can’t we just be in a relationship together?” She whines, and I chuckle while running my fingers through her long hair.
