Page 10 of It's Just You

While I hadn’t missed this little shithole town, I’d missed the camaraderie the first few months after I’d moved away. I’d never found someone who was as easy to be around as Sam. I had other friends now, and I was close to them, but they just weren’t the same.

Sam had always been by my side, and he’d staved off a few of the outright attacks simply because I hadn’t been alone. I gave a quick shake of my head, trying to rid myself of the old memories. There was no need to dwell on them now. I wasn’t a kid anymore, and I could deal with anyone who threw slurs at me. The only worry I had at the moment was how I could stuff myself with the last pancake on my plate without bursting.

“Hand me the syrup, please,” Sam’s mom — who hadn’t wolfed her breakfast down like a savage — said, and I handed her the bottle. “How have you been, Finn? I couldn’t believe it when I saw your parents at the grocery store. I didn’t even know they’d moved back here!”

“I’m pretty good.” Or I would be, if I wasn’t back here. I shook my head. “Even I didn’t know until they’d already packed all their stuff up. Somehow, they got the house they wanted, then it was just… go time.” I shrugged. “And I haven’t been home in ages, to be honest, since I’m at college most of the time. It’s not like it affects me much.” Except that I’d needed to drive here to visit them, but so far, it had been fine.

All two days of being back. Still, it boded well.

I glanced over the table, to Sam, then to Kane, who was picking at his pancake like he didn’t trust his brother not to have tried to poison him. He brought a bite to his lips, taking it carefully off the fork. Sensually. Those lips could—

I stopped myself and focused back on their mom. “I love that they took the opportunity to move again,” Sam’s mom said. “They loved it here, so why not come back now that they’re in retirement?” She ate slowly too, making me feel like a pig. Only Sam was tucking into the pancakes without reservation.

“Yeah, I think it’s great for them.” I managed to sound enthusiastic — mostly.

“How’s college for you?” I’d forgotten how inquisitive she was.

“Good. I’m studying art and cosmetology both, and so far, I like it. There’s a lot to learn, but that’s why I’m there.” I looked at the next pancake on the small stack, trying to figure out where to fit it. I definitely wasn’t hungry anymore, but they were delicious, soft and yummy.

“What are you going to do afterwards, anyway?” This time, Sam spoke around a mouthful of pancake.

“I’ve thought about trying to become a makeup artist, but it’s hard to get into that. So… I’m not really sure, actually,” I admitted.

“You definitely look like you could work as a makeup artist. Your own is beautiful,” Sam’s mom complimented me.

I blushed. I wasn’t used to hearing people praise me on my makeup — just judgements on it. The only person who had recently been so fascinated with it had been my friend Micah, who liked to doll himself up a little for his Daddy Dom. “Thank you, Mrs. Stiles.”

“No need to thank me. I never knew how much you could do with makeup. I mean, I did, but not on a man… I hope you get what I mean.” She blushed. “I’m not trying to offend you.”

Out of the corner of my eye, Kane studied me, though I couldn’t read his expression.

“No, it’s fine. I know it’s not what you see every day.” I shrugged. I wasn’t used to discussing my style with many people, let alone parents. Mine tried to ignore it or oh-so-helpfully dissuade me from using makeup, and others avoided the topic entirely. It was kind of weird, but at the same time, it was nice to be appreciated.

“It suits you.” She smiled kindly. She and Sam’s father had always been very open-minded, and it didn’t seem like my makeup fazed them at all.

Kane’s eyes still lingered on me, but I had no idea what he was thinking. I’d give a lot to find out.

Sam had taken advantage of his mother grilling me to scarf down his own stack of pancakes, but his father had barely picked at the one he had on his plate. I hadn’t noticed until then just how oddly quiet he was. I didn’t remember him being so closed-off. He’d always been just as chatty as their mom. Weird. Come to think of it, he didn’t look so great. His skin was pale, and he really was too thin. But Sam hadn’t mentioned his parents having any health issues.

“Thank you,” I said after a pause. I could be polite, after all.

Silence settled over the table. At first, it wasn’t uncomfortable, but it was a little strange. Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore, and I looked at Kane. Time to start getting to know him. “What are you doing, Kane? College, too?”

“Nah,” he said dismissively. “I work at the local fitness center as a trainer.” Well, that explained the muscles, at least.

I licked my lips, trying not to be too obvious, but in a way that could be seen as flirting to someone who was paying attention. “You sure look like you enjoy getting a good workout…”

Sam coughed.

Kane eyed me, like he wasn’t sure what I was getting at.

“No? I figured only guys who liked getting good workouts would work at a gym. Not that I’ve ever checked one out myself,” I admitted. There was no way I was attending a five a.m. yoga class.

Kane still looked like he couldn’t figure out what the hell I was doing. Was he that innocent? Or just not used to a guy flirting? Well, no matter what the case was, he’d learn. I was good at that kind of workout.

“I— Um.” Kane picked up his empty mug, tried drinking from it, then shook his head and put it back down again.

“Yeah, most of them love working out themselves, but Kane’s not one of those brainless—”

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