Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 93683 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93683 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
“It often does.”
Which is why we have a giant bird feeder in the backyard meant to entice Owlfonso to come live here despite the fact owls don’t eat bird seeds.
Yes.
His impulsiveness is charming yet dangerous.
Great for the game.
Not necessarily always a win in our relationship.
I have not enjoyed calling the exterminator for what I fear might be a mice infestation.
Arrival in our bedroom – a label I’ve just naturally used since the first time I slept in the space – reveals to me not only the end of the trail but a rolled out red carpet to the California king where there are two objects splayed out for me.
One wrapped.
One simply displayed on a fancy hanger.
“Go on,” Jukes encourages, face watching my face admire everything, “pick it up.”
I carefully lift the silk black robe, awe once again returning to my expression.
“And turn it around.”
The quick spinning reveals the term “Slayer” in gems, successfully taking away whatever breath I had managed to gather.
“Protective gear for those mornings Bronskie forgets to sleep in.”
Giggles are accompanied by an amused headshake.
“See,” he playfully taps his temple, “I can think before I act.” A good-natured eye roll precedes him kicking his chin forward. “And now the other.”
Post gingerly returning the piece of clothing to the mattress, I retrieve the small item, wrapped in bright yellow paper. In a mirthful manner, I wiggle the object around and taunt, “The paper matches your socks, aye?”
“Intentional.”
“Is it?”
“Yeah.” His purple suit jacket covered shoulders innocently bounce. “Gettin’ my Smokey Robinson on.”
Quirking an eyebrow can’t be helped.
“’Being With You’.”
Another round of coos escapes; although these are followed by propping the phone on its bedside stand – an accessory gifted to me by Joey who swears it’s what she gives to all the new Slayers whether they’re new because they just started dating a player or just got traded here because it doesn’t matter who you are.
Hands free to have conversations is nice.
Jukes excitedly watches my childlike enthusiasm of ripping open the only physical gift I got today, frame leaned so close to the phone I swear he’s trying to climb through it.
I let the paper carelessly fall to my feet, shift the lid on the box, and gasp at the beautiful, platinum jukebox necklace inside.
“This way…” Thayne slowly begins pulling my wide-eyed gaze up to his glowing one, “I’m always with you.”
There’s no stopping my shoulders from slumping or me melting onto the bed or my own figure from trying to crawl through the phone like his.
“Will you put it on for me?” He sweetly inquires. “I know my wingspan is bigger than most, but it ain’t exactly that big.”
Girlish giggles are all I seem to be capable of.
Words do what they often do.
Escape me.
Him?
He’ll say anything and everything and it’s almost always perfect.
I get nervous or tongue tied or too afraid I’ll ruin something – or more accurately everything.
Especially with him.
He always trusts his vibe.
His instinct.
I still haven’t quite mastered the art of listening to mine.
Out of the dental suite, at least.
The instant the accessory is secured around my neck, he cautiously croaks, “Like it?”
“Love it.” My fingers mindlessly toy with the pendant. “And I love you so so much.”
“Dance with me?” escapes on a sweet, boyish grin at the same time he fidgets with something on the screen. Familiar notes suddenly seep out of our bedroom speakers and romantic lighting swiftly comes next. “Thought we could stay in the spirit of Stevie tonight.”
“Taking him between the pipes?”
“He’s done so many good duets.”
“Favorite?”
“Ooof,” he grumbles out as we stand together in tandem, “Paul McCartney is up there,” the phone slightly adjusts, “MJ,” our frames rhythmically begin swaying together in spite of being miles apart, “hell, Bill Withers. All of which will make an appearance with me out there tonight.”
“I love that you love music so much.”
“And I…” Jukes goofily starts singing, “just called…”
We finish the chorus to the song together.
While “I Just Called to Say I Love You” is about not needing a reason for calling – something that absolutely resonates with us – I am ecstatic he went out of his way to call all day.
To be with me in spite of not getting to be with me.
For the first time in thirty-nine years – fuckme I had forgotten I tacked on a new number – my birthday truly comes first.
I come first.
And that is the best gift I could ever ask.
Chapter 18
Gillian
We shouldn’t be doing this.
We aren’t sixteen, we aren’t sixteen-year-old shaped, and we damn sure don’t have sixteen-year-old consequences if we get caught.
No one is going to call out parents about our bad behavior so much as give us a ticket for indecent exposure that bears a very hefty fine.
But I’ve missed him.
And he’s missed me.
And him smelling like sugar, spice, and something I wanna come on twice really left me no choice but to lovingly start caressing his thigh the second Bronny hopped out of the car at his friend’s house.