Page 72 of Hide and Sneak
“I think he does. He acts like we’re together already.”
Maren stirs her drink. “You said that you misjudged him, that he’s grown up and everything so what’s the problem?” She holds up her hand. “And if you say the name Amos, I’m going to kick your ass.”
“I mean, that’s a big part of it. I’ve realized how much Sutton has supported him over the years, financially and otherwise. He would’ve ended up at my doorstep a long time ago if he hadn’t. He’s his best friend. I don’t want to blow up that friendship.”
Cara opens her mouth to speak, but I continue, the words pouring out. “And is this really the best time for me to get into a relationship? When I’m unemployed and everything is so up in the air? I should be focusing on my business not worrying about love.” As soon as the word slips out, I correct myself. “Not love. Feelings, whatever. You know what I mean.”
Cara sits back and sips her drink, looking me in the eye. “Have you talked yourself out of it yet or do you want to keep going?”
“I want you two to talk me out of it.” If they both tell me it’s a bad idea, maybe I’ll be able to believe it and stop thinking about him.
Maren shakes her head. “It’s been a long time since you’ve been into anyone like this. You always find something wrong with them.”
“Well, most men are annoying.”
“And Sutton isn’t?”
“He annoys the hell out of me but for some reason…” I flop back in my chair with a sigh.
“You like it?” Maren suggests.
At my silent nod, Cara leans in. “If Amos wasn’t a concern, would you date him?”
I take a moment to consider it but the answer is obvious. No matter how much I might try to tell myself the timing isn’t right, it wouldn’t stop me. “Yes.”
“Then don’t throw it away over some bro code shit. It’s none of your brother’s business who you date. Let them work it out. Amos will get over it.”
Maren nods her agreement. “And you won’t be living with either of them soon, right?”
“That’s true. They won’t be roommates anymore either. Amos signed the lease to take over the trailer.”
“Then quit worrying about your brother. You made sure he had a place to stay until he got on his feet. He’s standing. Now, put yourself first for once,” Maren advises. “You deserve a hot, muscly, kinky tattooed guy.”
“How do you know he’s kinky?” Cara asks with a grin. “Did I miss something?”
Yeah, she didn’t see a plug fly out of his ass and him catch it like a baseball.
“He just looks like he would be. That cocky smile,” Maren replies.
I drain the rest of my drink. “No comment.”
“What happened to the sperm defense? Did you deplete his swimmer army?” Cara teases.
“He goes to the doctor tomorrow for the follow up test, but I absolutely wiped them out.”
I’m still not confident about what decision I’m going to make, but a weight lifts off my shoulders regardless as I laugh with my friends. Because I’ve gone from knowing I need to break things off to thinking…maybe not.
It’s evening by the time we get back into town from our road trip. When I stop to drop off Cara and Maren, I notice I’ve missed a call from Sutton and he left a text.
It’s a picture of his fertility test results, showing that he’s sterile, and one sentence.
Sutton
I want you bare.
I’d like to say I hesitated before replying but I didn’t.
Me
