Page 155 of Paradox
“Eden.” There it is, my name. No more hyung. “What the hell did you do? You better not have—”
“It was Shawn.”
“The fuck? I thought you said she’d stopped.”
“That’s because I knew it would make you feel better.”
“So now you’re lying to me?”
“No. I blocked her number but she’s obviously been using other peoples phones to leave voicemails. The only calls I answer are from you and Tek.”
“I’ve called you once.”
“So? I’m the one who always calls you cause I miss your smart ass when I’m out here providing for you.”
“Oh, shut up,” he giggles. “But seriously. Is answering her call what I’m meant to be mad about?”
“Well, ah…no.”
“You told her about me, didn’t you!?”
“Please don’t yell at me, Jin.”
“So you did?”
“No, I didn’t. But I told her I’m in a relationship. I’m bisexual. And I’m in love.”
“You idiot. You—shit. Goddamnit, how am I meant to be mad at you?”
“You don’t have to be.”
“Why couldn’t you have told me after you got back so I could give you a big kiss? You annoying asshole.”
“I love you, too.”
“Do you think she’ll tell Tek?”
“It’s been five minutes, so I’d say he already knows.”
“How long do you think we have?”
It feels weird to be walking so far from the cabin without snow shoes on, but the hard crunch of compacted snow instead of the unstable pillows—only made worse by those impossible snowshoes—feels like freedom.
About one hundred yards down the track towards the lake, Eden is waiting in the truck. He wanted to test it before putting the chains on the wheels, but he didn’t get far.
“Just give me a second, I wanna get something else,” I yell out to him and jog back inside the cabin. The bottom row of books on the bookshelf Eden made me is filled with the ones I haven’t read yet, and I grab one at random.
“I saw you almost fall flat on your face twice,” Eden says when I reach the truck. “That’s why I told you not to run.”
I roll my eyes at him and open the door. After throwing my backpack on the floor of the cab, I put one foot on the step, then look at the worn brown leather of the bench seat and the distance between myself and Eden. “Do you promise not toput my life in danger this time?” I ask, reaching into the glove compartment.
“What are you looking for?”
“Cigarettes.”
Eden grabs my wrist; “Shut the fuck up,” and pulls me towards him.
From where I land, I smile up at him. “A guy can never be too careful. The last time I was in here you almost killed me. Twice.”
