Page 58 of Did It Have To Be Gnomes?!
Winter touched my back and began rubbing small circles there. It felt so good, like he was radiating warmth wherever he touched. I wasn’t used to casual touches. My parents had neverbeen touchy-feely kind of people, even before they realized I was an empath.
And once I was old enough to advocate for myself, I’d steered clear of all touches. When extended family tried to hug me or rub my back like this or anything else, I’d freak out from the onslaught of their emotions.
My dad’s mother had been the only one I could stand getting hugs from. Actually, I’d liked her hugs because they were always filled with so much love and affection for me. Other people… other people were always so fake, and I couldn’t stand it.
And then, even as an adult, I’d stayed away from others for the most part. I’d tried to date a few times, but it never turned out well because I hadn’t liked a ton of touching, and my partners always got frustrated with me.
I’d never realized how much I was missing out on until Winter started with all these casual touches. It felt good. So fucking good.
When he left me, when he decided he didn’t need or want me as a friend, it was going to be so hard to let go of this.
The thought made me want to cry, but I decided not to focus on that. He was here right now, and I needed to soak up everything about him while I still could.
No more sad thoughts. Winter was here, and he was rubbing my back and giving me hugs and… yeah… that was what mattered.
He quietly said, “You don’t need to apologize, My-my.”
I huffed out a small laugh. “Oh god, don’t start with that nickname.”
He snorted. “Seriously, though, no need to worry. I’m sorry you were so freaked out, but I can’t say I’m sorry you wound up in my arms so many times. In case you missed this part—I kinda like you.”
“Kind of is a massive understatement,” Lyric called over.
“Hey! I thought you were sleeping.” Winter glared at them even though they weren’t looking.
Lyric waved an arm in the air, and I assumed they were waving Winter off.
Winter caught my gaze and gave an amused eye roll. “Anyway, it’s true. I like you, and I liked, uh… saving you.” Now it was his turn to blush, and I couldn’t help but grin at him.
“So White Knight is the perfect name for you, then. Good to know.”
He snorted, and Lyric called over, “Definitely the perfect nickname. He has that White Knight Complex thing I read about in my fantasy books. He’d fit in perfectly with them. We’ll have to throw you up in a tower and tell Win to save you. Maybe throw in a dragon or something too.”
“Lyric,” Winter said with exasperation. “Stop. Talking.”
“Can’t help it. When I’m awake, my mouth automatically moves.”
That made me chuckle.
Even though I really wanted to speak to Winter alone, all of Lyric’s commentary was amusing, and I liked seeing the two friends interact together. They were like how I’d imagine two siblings would act. I didn’t have any siblings, so I wouldn’t know, but if I did, I’d wish they treated me the way these two treated each other—teasing but with a lot of love and affection.
“By the way,” Lyric said, “I’m not looking at you guys, so if you wanna, like, kiss or make-out or whatever, I won’t peek, promise. I mean, I can’t close my ears, so maybe don’t go too far or whatever, but kissing would work.”
“Lyric!”
Winter’s face looked so mortified I could do nothing but laugh loudly. After a few seconds, he joined in.
We chatted quietly for a little while, and I honestly didn’t think I’d ever been more comfortable with another person. Maybe itwas because I couldn’t feel his emotions so I didn’t know if he was feeling annoyed or bored or whatever about me. It was… refreshing not to have another person’s emotions rolling around in my head—and my heart—and mixing with my own.
“I think I hear a car,” Lyric said, cutting Winter off as they sat up. “You hear it?”
Winter and I both froze and turned toward the driveway. It took only half a beat to hear tires rolling over gravel.
“Shit.” I jumped to my feet and headed for the pathway we’d taken here. “We gotta hurry before that kid gets too close to the house! What if the gnomes start jumping out the windows or something?”
Winter caught up to me, jogging with a wide grin. “It’s gonna be okay, Miles. We’re gonna figure this out together.”
Together.
