Page 75 of Kiss-Fist
I lean over and snatch them out of his hand, banging them on top of the dresser before I grab my pomade and dig two fingers in. “No.” I drag my fingers through my hair, then reorder it with the comb for the twelfth time. “It’s going to be very, very loud.”
“Deafpeople,” he repeats.
It’s annoying that he doesn’t get it. “Yes. Deaf doesn’t mean entirely without hearing for everyone. Google it and educate yourself, asshole.” I will literally throw myself onto the highway if he says any of this shit in front of Robbie.
And honestly, I need Dex to learn what he can. I don’twant to separate my brother from the man I want to…well. God, it’s too creepy to say marry this early, right? Yeah. Definitely creepy.
Even though it’s kind of true?
Whatever. The point is, Dex needs to be on board with this. I feel another wave of panic in my chest because what if I’m forced to choose between him and Robbie?
“Why are you making that face?”
“You need to take ASL!” I shout, then slap my hand over my mouth.
He stares at me, eyes slightly wide, a single brow lifted toward his hairline. “I’m sorry. What?”
“I didn’t mean to yell, but yeah. You need to learn ASL.”
“I’mnot fucking this guy.”
“No, but I like him, Dex. I really, really like him. A lot.”
He blows out a puff of air. “Can’t he, like, lipread or some shit?”
That makes me want to punch him. “A little, but dude, you can learn the basics, at least. If he sticks around, I want you two to be able to communicate. You’re literally the only family I’ve got.”
He rolls his eyes and sighs.
“Please.”
“Shit. You really like this guy, don’t you?”
His words hit me kind of hard, though it’s not like they’re a shock. I’ve always been the guy who wore his heart on his sleeve. I’m always obvious. I sink down to the edge of my bed and look over at him.
“Yeah. I really like him. A lot. I think this could be something real.”
He takes a beat, then sighs. “Yeah, alright.”
“Come on, I—” Wait. “Are you serious? You will?”
He snorts and rolls his eyes. “Yeah, Thom. I’m serious. If it’s that important to you, I’ll look into it.” He waits a beat, then says, “I mean, we should for Zev anyway, right?”
I sniffle loudly. “Yeah. I think that’ll make him happy when he gets back. Check out the classes at the college. The ASL teacher is amazing. His name is Denver, and he’s really, really good.” I know I’m getting ahead of myself, and I know that Dex isn’t going to actually do anything that costs money until I’m sure that this is something real, but the fact that he’s willing means so much.
“What about an app for now? I can’t start in the middle of the semester.”
I stand up and dig my phone out of my pocket, grunting because yeah, these jeans are way too tight. Not that I’m going to change now. It took me five minutes to get them over my ass.
Oh god, what if I need to take them off?
Robbie will have to work up a sweat. He might hurt himself.
Fuck it. He can always cut them off. Who needs pants anyway?
“Here,” I say and show him the app Leaf downloaded for me. “It’s free for the basics, then you can pay for the other lessons. I mean, it’s not good enough to become fluent or anything, but Robbie will appreciate if you can learn a few things.”
Dex nods and types on his phone for a second, then looks up at me. “Is that why he won’t come on the double date?”
