Page 12 of Full Body Hit: Part 2
“Totally fine. Yeah, the doctor said I recovered really fast.”
“Well, that’s good.” There was a pause. “And you’re sleeping okay?”
Chase hesitated. Exaggerating the truth to say he was okay was one thing. Full-on lying just felt…wrong. “I mean. Maybe not thebestsleep in the world, but I’ll just go to bed early tonight. Now, tell me about—”
“Wait. Anything in particular stopping you from sleeping?”
God. What was with people freaking out about this? A little lack of sleep wasn’t going to kill him. “I mean…” Chase made a dismissive sound at the back of his throat. “We don’t have to talk about that. This is probably, like, your break time. We can talk about something nice.”
“Talking about youissomething nice. Come on, baby. Please? What’s been going on?”
Fuck. What was he supposed to do with that? The conversation hadliterallyjust started, and they were already talking about his stupid issues. “I…I guess I just missed you,” he mumbled.
“Oh, baby.”
“I know it’s stupid. Obviously you have your own life. I just got a little in my head about it.”
“Got in your head, how?”
God. Aunix really was going to make him admit everything. “I…I guess I just wanted to say that—if you’re losing interest in me—”
“Baby.”
“No, listen. If youare, I want you to tell me, okay? I know that we have this…dynamic. And that you take care of me. But if you want to break up with me—”
“Baby. I fuckingpromiseyou, okay? That is not what’s happening here.”
Chase let out a breath, gut sick with relief, as if he’d purged out a fever. “Yeah?”
“Yes. Why would you think that?”
Chase made a vague gesture with his free hand even though Aunix couldn’t see him. “I just…I don’t know. You’re busy. I totally get that. I guess it’s just such a big change in our routine, and…” Chase trailed off, wondering whether to finish his thought.
Not that Aunix gave him much choice. “And, what?”
“I guess. Well, my job is going to get pretty busy too in spring, but…I didn’t really imagine stopping all communication when that happened, you know? It’s not that I don’t believe you about the project, but…”There’s something more going on.
There was a muffled sound on the other end of the line. “You’re right. I’m not—I’m overwhelmed at the moment. I fucked up at work. With this project. And I kind of retreated into myself about it. But it hasnothing to do with you. I’m fucking…crazy about you, okay? Be annoyed at me for not handling this well, but don’t doubt how I feel.”
Crazy about you.Chase felt his cheeks heat. “I’m crazy about you too. Like maybe literally crazy.”
Aunix barked out a laugh. “Yeah. Same here.”
Chase grinned, grabbing Joey and pressing him to his chest. “Okay.” And then, softer, “Thanks, Daddy.”
“Nah, no thanking me. Thankyoufor letting me know. Even if Ididkind of have to drag it out of you.”
“I didn’t want to worry you.”
“How many times—”
“Urgh, Iknow. I should tell you things. But the same goes for you!”
Aunix snorted. “Okay, fair. We have to get better at that, though, baby.”
Chase bit his lip. “I know.” Talking openlysoundedeasy, but he knew how prone he was to hide the things he thought would burden others. “Let’s just…promise to try.”
A beat of silence. “Okay. Promise to try.”
