Page 44 of Turning Tides
Marshall covered a laugh with a cough. “Anyway, uh, the snacks are ready and the movie is waiting. We can order dinner after the first movie.”
Cyrus reached for Marshall and pulled him into a kiss. “My husband is the best host. That sounds wonderful.”
Seeing the way they gazed at each other had me glancing at Archer. He caught my stare and looked away sullenly. I read him loud and clear. This sucked. It sucked a lot. Archer grabbed a tray off the counter and went to the living room.
“We didn’t come here to watch you two suck face. Come on, Cyrus said I could pick the movie.” Archer set the tray on the coffee table and flung himself down on the couch. He bounced a couple times, then patted the spot next to him. “Please sit next to me, Shane. Cyrus and Marshall need to be separated. I don’t want to hear their gross kissy sounds.”
“We do not make gross kissy sounds,” Cyrus argued. “They’re the sound of true love.”
“Then true love turns my stomach,” Archer shot back, but he scooted over as if he needed to make room for me. I tried not to sit too close. Every little move I made I examined from every angle, wanting to make sure I wasn’t doing anything that would give us away. Sitting too far away would look equally suspicious. My current train of thought made me want to kick myself. It was just sitting. How complicated did I have to make it?
As soon as I sat down, Archer inched closer to me. A motion that went unnoticed by Cyrus and Marshall. With the remote in hand, Archer got the TV going and the streaming service open.
“What are we watching?” I stole another cookie, even though they were too sweet for my liking.
“Batteries not included.”
“It’s his favorite.” Cyrus dropped into the chair and tugged Marshall down onto his lap. They were about the same size, so I wondered if Cyrus was going to make it through the whole movie like that. It also left the entire other end of the couch unoccupied. I should move over and give Archer space, but that would be weird. Wouldn’t it?
Fuck. When did everything get so difficult? I needed to relax, but for the first time in my life, I had something to hide, and I didn’t like it. I didn’t want to hide that I was with Archer. Except I wasn’t with him, was I? We were friends with benefits. Never once had we agreed on more.
Maybe it was time for that to change. And if we were more, we could tell Cyrus. If we told Cyrus, Archer and I wouldn’t have to sneak around behind his back.
“Alexa, movie lights,” Marshall said. Instantly the lights dimmed.
“You and your silly toys,” Cyrus teased him, but he pulled him closer, his lips brushing against the shell of Marshall’s ear. He caught me looking so I held his gaze and made kissy noises at him. “You’re an ass, Shane.” Cyrus laughed.
“And that’s my cue.” Archer hit play on the remote and the movie started. I’d looked the movie up online after it had been mentioned the first time, but I hadn’t watched it. I’d wanted to watch it with Archer.
The synopsis online didn’t prepare me for how cute the movie was. And how moving. The people in the building had created a family. And when the aliens came, they were welcomed.
Throughout the movie, Archer snacked, but his attention remained glued to the screen. I doubted he realized how many cookies he’d eaten until he went for another and they were gone.
“Oh, God, take that away from me.” Archer gave the tray a little shove and I moved it to the far end of the coffee table. He leaned back and got comfortable. “Watch this.” He motioned to the screen where suddenly the little flying saucer robots were having babies.
“I’m sorry, but that’s the cutest shit I’ve ever seen.”
The movie took a tragic turn when it looked like one of the little robots wasn’t going to make it, but he was saved by one of the characters and reunited with his family. I’d never admit to the tears I wiped way when I thought the baby robot was a goner.
“Hah, you got Shane too.” Cyrus crowed, because of course he noticed.
“Anyone with a heart would tear up at that,” I threw back.
“I have a heart.” Cyrus pretended to be wounded and he might have kept going but Marshall gently shushed him.
I tried my best to pay attention the movie after that. For the most part, I was successful, but I was still keenly aware of the way Archer was close to me, but not close enough. I wanted to wrap him in my arms and enjoy being with him. The thing was, I could imagine a future like this. The four of us watching movies together and eating a horrific array of sugary goodies, which were apparently Archer’s comfort foods.
When the movie ended, Cyrus ordered dinner and I helped Marshall put the remaining treats away. Cyrus ordered pizza from a local mom and pop joint that had been around since the dawn of time. The original owners were retired, but their grandson ran it now and the food only seemed to improve as time went on.
The beer was a hit, but I had to drive home so I stopped at one. As did Archer. Cyrus and Marshall had a couple with dinner while we watched another 80s movie, one I’d actually seen before. Kieran had been a huge Stephen King fan growing up. Therefore, I’d seen every King movie in existence.Maximum Overdrivewas cheesy, but the cheese helped lighten the mood.
When the movie was over, it was clear that Cyrus and Marshall were in no state to drive anyone home, even if they’d wanted to. I’d known them long enough to know the look of heat that simmered between them.
“Did you need a ride home, Archer?”
“You can crash on the couch if you want,” Cyrus offered. He probably meant it. Somewhere, deep down under his raging libido.
“No fucking thank you.” Archer hopped to his feet so fast it had Cyrus cackling. “Are you ready to leave? I’m ready to leave. We should leave.”
