Page 26 of Except You

Shit, went a little too far. Admitted my dirty little secret when I didn’t mean to. “I just didn’t know when I’d see you again, is all.”

“But we have the dog now. We’re co-parents. We’ll see each other often.”

I don’t respond, just sit down in my chair with a beer in my hand. Damn espresso machine drove me to drink. Literally.

“Oh, oh, you thought I was going to spend time with Harvey and not you? Are you mad I didn’t text you all morning?”

“It was more like all day. And then you just showed up at my house. Without warning.”

He raises his eyebrows. “I didn’t think I needed a warning.”

He doesn’t. I’d give him a key to my place at this point, but I don’t say that. This has all gone a little too far. I think I seem a little needy. Desperate even.

“It’s fine. Just forget it.”

Beau is silent for a few and then he hums softly. “Max, I’ll make sure to keep in touch with you throughout the day. I just didn’t want to be a bother.”

I swallow and take another sip of my beer. “You’re never a bother, but alright. Cool.”

He nods and then we’re silent once more, just listening to the hiss of gas from the fireplace before us. When it starts to rain and Beau has finished off his hot chocolate, we move back inside.

“Bed?” he asks, and I nod. I should sleep on the couch or in the guest room, but I end up over the covers with Beau tucked under them, our faces turned toward each other.

“You’ve grown a lot, Max. In this short time. I can’t wait to see how you are in a year, two years, five.”

“Think we’ll still know each other by then?” I ask, and just as I do, Doggo hops onto the bed, and Beau huffs a small laugh.

“Of course we will. Doggo will be around then, right? He’s only two. You’re stuck with me. Until death do us part.”

I roll my eyes and turn to face the ceiling.

“We’re like an old married couple,” Beau says and then shifts over a little closer to me. “Basically.”

“We are not,” I reply. “We’re friends.”

“I’d marry you just to inherit this bed. If we didn’t have Doggo, this would be another reason I’d stick around.”

“Not for me and my charming personality?”

He pokes at me, scooting even closer. Even though I’m on top of the covers, I can feel him press against me.

“I guess your personality is okay. Could do with some work.”

His finger pokes me again, and I catch it in my hand, holding it against my chest.

“If you don’t stop that, bad things will happen.”

“Oh, I’m so scared,” Beau says with a laugh. “Big and scary Max. Ooooh.”

My hand tightens on him when he reaches out and tries to poke at me with his free hand. I grab on to that one too, and Beau practically vibrates from laughter.

“I am strong,” I say and then roll on top of him, my legs landing on either side of his hips. “I could easily take you.”

He gasps when I move his arms over his head and keep his wrists pinned against the mattress. I’m staring down at him now, his cheeks flushed, his eyes wide, those lips of his parted and twitching with giggles.

“You’re doing nothing but turning me on, straight man. Being held down is my most favorite pastime.”

I don’t let up, just lean into him further.