Page 110 of Jace
I raise my brows. “You think Missy is going to be happy with two ducks in her house? You know they’ll be big ducks at one point, right?”
“Then we can make duck a l’orange! It’s my moms favorite dish.”
“Jesus, Lamar!” I scoop Patrick out of his hands and push it into Kaylee’s. “Take them with you, Kaylee. They’re not safe with this duckbuser.”
“Can you relax, bro? I just made a joke. I bought a feeder, a kiddie pool to swim in and even a brooder. Kaylee sent me a list weeks ago with everything that we need.”
I blink at my best friend. “Why haven’t you told me?”
“Well, ehh…” He glances at Kaylee with a grimace. “You were a bit preoccupied?”
I swear the stupid blush creeps back in, because yeah… I kinda was. Kaylee snorts though.
“Preoccupied with what exactly?” She gives me a knowing grin.
With Jace’s dick for one thing. Not that I’m about to saythat.“You know… Figuring things out,” I say instead.
“Are you guys official then?” Kaylee cocks her head. “I saw you two around campus a bit. And in Yetties. I was wondering…”
“Yeah, sorry. We are.” And now I feel guilty for not telling her sooner, since we promised we’d still be friends after the breakup. “I should have told you sooner.”
She shakes her head. “No. No you shouldn’t have. We both needed the time, and I’m cool with it. You know I am. In fact…” She nudges me. “Do you know there is an ‘equal rights, equal love’ rally coming up next week on campus from the Queer Student Union? They are still looking for members.”
“Ehr…” I swallow my nerves away. “I’m not exactly–”
“Out and proud?” she interrupts me. “Oh I know. I’m not saying that you should participate. I’m saying I am! Tuck is a member as well, so I think I’ll sign up for moral support. You know, being an ally. ”
I stare at my ex, who gives me a broad grin. “You what?”
“Like I said; I’m all pro for gay rights. I actually did a paper on Conversion Therapy in my Ethics of Moral Philosophy class at the end of last semester. I got an A+!”
“Oh Jesus, I broke you.”
She pets the two ducklings which are now cuddled up in the box with a soft smile. “You didn’t. I think you did the opposite, actually. I’m thinking about switching to human rights.”
“Really? Didn’t you want to be an entertainment lawyer? I’m still counting on you being my agent someday, you know.”
She chuckles. “Yes, I know. Maybe I’ll do both. I’ll figure it out.” She places the box on my bed before she gets up and pokes Lamar in his bicep. “I should get going. Help me get the food for the ducks out of my car?”
Lamar finishes his water and puts the empty bottle neatly on the corner of my desk. “Yes. Are you coming with me back to campus?” he asks me. “I’m heading to Missy’s, have to give her the ducks.”
“Wouldn’t want to miss that.” I chuckle as I shut my laptop down and put it in my already packed bag, throwing it over my shoulder. I grab my phone out of my pocket to text Jace that I already have a ride as I follow Lamar and Kaylee downstairs. Not that I’m giddy and stupidly excited that I’m going to see him sooner than we had planned. Nope, not at all.
“Where’s your car?” Lamar asks after I locked up the house and we’re helping Kaylee switch her cargo to Lamar’s Jeep.
“Jace has it. Had band stuff this morning so I said he could take it.”
“Ah. Good thing I’m here then. Save him a ride to pick you up.” Lamar stuffs the last of the food in the back.
“Did I hear that correctly? Jace can drive your precious Ford?” Kaylee stares at us from her open tailgate, her hands on her sides. “Since when cananyonedrive your truck?”
“Ah, there’s the fiery Kaylee I know,” I mutter, making Lamar chuckle beside me as he closes the latch.
She glares at me. “Don’t you ‘fiery Kaylee’ me. I was never allowed to drive it!”
I cringe. “Yeah, but you know how hard I saved for that truck?” I did. I worked at my parents' diner as a busboy since I was fourteen, saving all my wages so I could buy myself a cool ride eventually. It isn’t a new model of course, but it’s stillmine.“And you have your own car, and he–”
“Has a dick?” She flips her hair over her shoulder with a huff. “I know how it is,Tyler.We womenfolk can’t drive, right?”
