Page 32 of The C*ck Down the Block

Hey, just saw the photos hit. You turned off your notifications like I told you to, right?

Okay, okay. Breathe. It wasn’t like I had to see any of these people in real life. I was in a fake relationship with a major Denver celebrity, and while I hadn’t really thought it would blow up like this, I wasn’t going to freak out that something that should have been a sweet and private moment was now splashed all over the internet for the entire world to see and comment on.

I put my head between my knees, closed my eyes and took several long, deep breaths. A gentle caw-caw and the soft feathers of Luke’s head tickled my cheeks and I reached for him. Sure, sure, chickens weren’t meant for snuggles, but Luke was not a normal chicken.

Another message, this one from Lulu, buzzed.

DO NOT LOOK AT THE COMMENTS. REPEAT - STAY OUT OF THE COMMENTS SECTION ON THAT POST. BITCHES BE BIG MAD ITS YOU AND NOT THEM.

Oh geez. It had to be really bad if Lulu was text yelling at me. My morbid curiosity really wanted to look, but my sense of self-preservation won out and I deleted Insta from my phone without delay. And FaceSpace, and FlipFlop, and that weird one that the space-car guy bought and ruined. I never checked most of those that often anyway. I would miss the chicken memes though.

My phone buzzed again with a follow up from Lu.

Also… you KISSED Chris?! I want all the details on Monday.

Another message from Chris.

You okay? I’m coming over. I promise to murder anyone who says anything even remotely unkind about you on the internet.

That made me smile for some dumb reason. I typed out a quick reply.

You know I don’t condone murder. But feel free to block them all so they cry more tears that you’re my...

I almost typed that he was my boyfriend. Delete delete delete.

—that they don’t get to see your sexy ass in their feeds anymore.

There, that was better. And, umm, a little flirty? Better follow that up before he decides to come over for more than my mental health.

No need to come over. It’s no big deal, I’m not even paying attention. But Rachel is.

I’d barely hit send before his reply came back.

Do I need to kill and-or block her?

Yes.

In a split second, my anxiety about the auction, Rachel and the Queen Bees, and even the other mean girls on the internet melted into an odd sense of clarity.Maybe, it was the universe’s way of showing me that Chris was someone I really could count on. Because before I even asked, I knew he would say yes. He would be there for me, just like he’d been all this time.

Was I scared that our relationship might change? Yep. Double yep, with a cherry on top. But did I think I’d lose him from my life?

No. Well, mostly no.

For the first time, I didn’t shy away from the thought that we could be more than friends. Instead, I welcomed it.

lol - no. But I could use your help with something tomorrow. Remember that charity auction?

BBQS AND BALLERS

CHRIS

Trixie was fidgeting, and it was cute as fuck. Not that I wanted her to be nervous, but she was different with me today, and I had to believe it was because she was developing feelings for me. We’d just pulled into the big circular driveway at Manniway’s, and she was stalling getting out of the car.

I’d happily stall by making out in my car before we went into the barbecue. On the drive over, I’d caught her peeking up at me through her lashes more than a few times, and I’d bet my champions ring that she’d been staring at my lips.

She was thinking about that kiss.

I’d only thought about it eleventy-billion times. Which is about how many times I’d come in my own fucking hand last night reliving every second of kissing her. Her lips were so damn soft and delicious, and I wanted to kiss her again and again until she forgot about anyone else who’d ever touched her lips before.

---