Page 51 of Perfectly Us
Does it matter to me either way?
The way I feel when I’m around him is better than any sex I’ve ever had. Which is saying a lot. It makes me think of that hypothetical question I asked Ruben about choosing love or amazing sex. As I hold Shiloh’s hand, seeing that shy smile tug at his lips each time our eyes meet, I think I’d choose this feeling over and over again.
A light’s on in the house when we pull in to the driveway.
“My dad’s home,” Shiloh says, cutting the engine. “Hope that’s okay.”
“Of course it is.” I unfasten my seat belt. “Parents love me.”
“Can’t imagine why.” But he smiles as he says it. Teasing me again.
We get out of the car and follow the sidewalk up to the front porch. The house is more modern, less farmhouse-style than mine. The squared windows are tall, and the angles of the roof and siding are sharp, perfectly symmetrical. Shiloh unlocks the door.
“Dad?” he asks as we step inside.
“In here,” a voice comes from the other room.
I follow Shiloh through an open archway into the living room. Several lamps are on, giving the room a warm, inviting glow. A total Daddy is sitting in the recliner watching TV, and I mean that in the most respectful way possible. He has short dark hair, slight stubble on his jaw, and square black-framed glasses.
“Hey, kiddo,” Hot Daddy says to Shiloh, then looks at me. He stands up and approaches us. Shiloh definitely got his height from him. He must be at least six foot two. “You must be Alex.”
“Yep. That’s me.” I shake his hand. He has a firm grip.
“I’m Landon. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“Yeah?” I smile at him before looking at Shiloh and gently bumping his arm. “What has Shi said about me?”
“That’s confidential,” Landon says, his lips twitching.
The TV snags my attention. Two dudes are sitting at a bar, drinking after a stressful day on the job. They’re detectives. One is closeted, and the other is openly gay.
“I love this show,” I blurt out. “This was a great episode. I won’t spoil anything, but I love how their relationship progresses. You can tell, even in this scene, that Mike really cares for Garrett. Not just sex, ya know?”
Landon’s eyes widen a fraction.
Shiloh’s brow wrinkles as he looks at the TV. “The main characters are gay?”
“Mhm. It’s amazing, right?” I respond. “You should watch it. There are some hot sex scenes too. Well, as hot as they can show on TV. There’s one scene where they’re in the shower, and Mike throws Garrett against the wall and bites his neck as they go at it. So sexy.” I realize I’m saying this in front of Shiloh’s dad, so I snap my mouth shut. “But anyway. Nice weather we had today.”
Shiloh breathes out a laugh and turns to his dad. “Is it cool if Alex stays for a while? I’ll drive him home later.”
“Fine with me,” Landon says. “He can stay as long as he wants.”
“Merci, Monsieur Walker.” I salute him.
“He breaks out into French sometimes,” Shiloh tells his dad. “Don’t ask me why.”
I hear Landon laugh as we leave the living room and go up the stairs.
“Your dad’s nice,” I say once we’re in his room. I sit on the bed. It’s unmade, the sheets and blanket twisted, thoroughly slept in. I fight the urge to bury my face in his pillow. I’m sure it smells just like him.
“Yeah, he’s pretty cool.” Shiloh sits beside me, keeping a small gap between us. He glides a finger over his bracelets. He hasn’t popped the rubber band all day.
Does he only do it when he’s nervous? Does that mean he feels safe with me? Comfortable?
“My dad’s a hard-ass,” I say. “I can’t remember the last time I saw him smile. That’s how he was raised though. My grandpa was in the army and acted more like a drill sergeant. So my dad’s always been kinda strict. My mom is the complete opposite. She’s detached. Not strict enough, I guess.”
“What about your brother?”
