Page 42 of Perfectly Us
“I had Ruben,” I finally answer. Which is true. Ruben supported me. His family did too after I came out to everyone else. But Clay was the one I told first, the one I confided in most. I can’t say that though, not without Shiloh wanting to know more about Clay.
I’m not ready to tell him.
Another movie is supposed to be started in two minutes, so I go over to the machine and make sure it’s ready to go. Afterward, I move on to the next. I have a piece of paper that lists the movie schedules, telling me what time they all need to be started.
Shiloh puts his hands in his pockets and doesn’t say anything as I move around the room.
He said he’s always felt different. But is anyone ever the same? There’s no one right way to live your life, no one right way to love.
“Should I go?” he asks as I start the last movie. “I feel like I’m in the way.”
“You’re not.” I walk over to him but keep like a foot between us, even though I want nothing more than to kiss him again. “I’m done. Now it’s just finding shit to do to keep busy while I wait for the movies to end.”
He nods and fidgets with his bracelets.
“Was that your first kiss?” I ask.
His blue eyes flicker back to mine. “How’d you guess?”
“Because you’re adorably awkward.” I toss him a grin. “I got all weird after my first kiss too. I mean, I kissed Ruben. So it would’ve been weird regardless, but his were the first lips I ever touched.” I overexaggerate a sigh. “I kissed a girl after him just to try it. Didn’t do anything for me. Then, I went out with a guy named Blake. He went to a different school and was openly gay and stuff. He was patient with me. I’m blabbing, aren’t I?”
“Just a little.” Shiloh smiles. “But I like it. You seem to really know who you are.”
“It was a long road getting here, but yeah. I’m happy in my own skin, ya know? Like if I could be anyone in the world, I’d still choose me.”
“What happened with Blake?”
“Tragedy.”
“Tragedy? Did he die or something?”
“Nope.” I sigh again. “We were both bottoms.”
Shiloh cocks his head at me, confused, and then realization sparks in his eyes. “Oh.”
“I topped for our first time. It felt good and everything, but I eventually learned I’m a big ol’ whorey bottom.”
Shiloh blushes.
“Sorry,” I say. “I’m being way too open, huh? Most people don’t just blurt out things about their sex lives.”
“It’s okay.”
It occurs to me that Shiloh’s probably a virgin. I remember the feel of his lips on mine and how he grabbed at my waist. Hell.
What would he be like in the throes of passion? Fingers digging into my hips, head tipped back and lips parted, as I ride him. The visual makes me hard. Not that it takes much. I’m pretty much a walking hard-on.
“We should go downstairs,” I tell him. “I need to count theaters and do a sweep of the lobby. Unless you want to…” I step closer and grab the bottom of his shirt. “Continue where we left off?”
Shiloh grabs my hand before gently pushing it away. His clouded expression is hard to read. I get the feeling he maybe wants to kiss me again, but he’s unsure. “We can go downstairs.”
Nodding, I open the door and hold it open for him before closing it. Back in the stairwell, we walk down into the breakroom, then out into the lobby. Ruben is wiping down the counters in the concession stand, something that has to be done after each set. They also have to restock candy, cups, and popcorn bags.
“Have fun upstairs?” Ruben asks in a flirty tone.
Shiloh turns scarlet and stares at the floor, while I smile. I can’t help it. Kissing him was unexpected, and I’ll be thinking about it for the rest of the night.
“Shut your face and clean,” I tell Ruben. “Mind ya business.”
