Page 69 of Don't Puck Him

My expression falters, despite not wanting to burst the balloon of prideful excitement gushing from Cash’s mouth. I don’t like lies. They are poison, and all they do is erode relationships. I can feel Hunter staring at me, waiting for a reaction, just as much as Cash.

I smile, not exactly thrilled about the idea of lying myself, but I am nevertheless appreciative that he wants to help.

“Really?” I say, leaning forward with my coffee cup in my hand. “He really said that? How on Earth did you manage such a feat?”

Cash does an enthused chef’s kiss motion, which makes both Hunter and I laugh.

“Just call it the gift of the gab. You are very welcome.”

I feel somewhat inclined to comment on the nature of our parents. Two big liars who seem to coast along in life trying to keep one secret after the other. But I don’t want to disrupt the mood of such a nice day.

I place my hand on my chest, grinning, a genuine gratitude in my heart.

“Thank you, Cash. That really means a lot to me.”

Hunter shoves a box into Cash’s open hands as he gloats, washing the smirk off his face like a windshield wiper.

“Yes, yes, we are all very thankful. But that doesn't exempt you from moving duties.”

Cash takes the box in his hands and does a pouty face.

“Damn it, you figured out my mischievous plan!”

Hunter rolls his eyes as Cash carries the box to our bedroom. I place my chin on my hand, gazing up at my darling adoringly.

He looks especially handsome today. Like he is glowing. I am not sure why, but maybe that is just what being in love looks and feels like.

He smiles down at me, picking up his own cup of coffee and lifts it to his mouth.

“I know what you’re thinking,” he mutters.

“Oh?” I say, cocking an eyebrow. “Do tell.”

“I know it's another lie, Wren, but this time, it's a good lie. You can get the education you want without it being controlled. You can follow your real dreams, rather than the fabric ones they tried to lay out for you.”

My heart flutters in my chest, and I take in a deep breath. He really does know me. It’s like our minds and hearts are connected through an invisible thread. There really is nothing like being known and understood, is there?

I wrinkle my nose up at him, a gesture I know he finds cute.

“As usual, you hit the nail on the head.”

Hunter crouches, laying a hand on my thigh and squeezing. Even though it is cold outside, I am still wearing shorts indoors. The touch of his skin on mine calms me even more.

Those lovely glistening eyes gaze at me. It helps me feel still and cradled. God, I never want it to stop.

“We are going to have such an amazing life together. This is just the start. Let’s get through school first, then later, we will have the world.”

I tilt my head and sigh, lifting my hand to trace over the stubble along his jawline. I kiss him briefly before Cash returns to find us lip-locked.

“How did I get to be so lucky?” I whisper, trailing my fingers along his mouth.

“I ask myself that every night I get to fall asleep next to you,” he whispers back.

We spend the rest of the day moving my things into the apartment, then when it is late, we order a pizza and watch terrible reality TV. Cash is there, as he often is. Sometimes, he is almost like a third roommate, but I no longer mind. I am glad not to have a squabble between us anymore. We are all free to laugh, talk, and live as young people are meant to.

When it is time for bed, though, I am thankful for the separation. We don’t always have sex. Sometimes we just hold each other and talk, sometimes naked, sometimes not. I love listening to the sound of his heartbeat as we chat. We climb in and away from the world, hidden and protected, our tiny universe that is all our own.

I lay on Hunter’s chest and begin to doze off. Before I go into darkness, the walls of my unconscious break down. I dream, without being fully asleep, of beautiful glimmering hills of emerald grass, an old style homestead with dogs and kids running free. Then of course, there is us, holding hands as we slumber under a lemon tree, the entire world at our feet just as he promised.

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