Page 2 of Tongue-Tied
“Cool, thanks.”
The winter semester starts in a few days, so there’s plenty of time to get myself organized. I’ll show Austin that I can make it on my own. Generally speaking, he’s kept me on track with my schedule. The fact that I now know how to use a calendar with alerts is all due to him getting tired of reminding me about stuff I’ve signed up for because I’ve spread myself too thin.
So essentially, I’m the yin to his yang. I get him out, and he keeps me orderly. It may prove harder to do not living together, but we’ll make it work.
“It’s okay to say no to things,” he’d said, staring at my full calendar.
“Where’s the fun in that?” I’d lobbed back.
Though Austin does have a point. He’s way more deliberate than me and only accepts invites for events he thinks he’ll enjoy. Or, let’s be honest, if I twist his arm just enough. How else is he supposed to meet his dream guy from those romance books?
Scarred by bad experiences on apps, he’s deleted all of them. The last guy kept comparing their bodies and tried convincing him to join him for workout sessions. It was an offhanded way of calling him out of shape, and though Austin fully admits he’s not fit, he hates when people boil you down to size and appearance. He doesn’t work out or shy away from junk food, and I love that about him.
But the experience that haunts Austin the most is when someone he was into called him a prude and ghosted him. I think his lack of experience is endearing and representative of who he is, but he’d roll his eyes if he heard me say that.
He’s the whole package, and there’s a guy out there who will appreciate him someday.
Once I put my clothes away, I arrange some picture frames on the dresser.
“That your mom?” Milo asks, motioning to the photo of me with my mom at my high school graduation.
“Yeah.” Mom loves it most when we’re mistaken for siblings, not only because we look alike but because Mom had me when she was only eighteen. I glance at the frame on his bedside table. “Yours too?”
“Uh-huh.” He stands and stretches, his gaze catching on the other photo I set out. “Your boyfriend?”
I have no idea why my face heats. Austin and I have refereed these sorts of questions for years. “Nah, my best friend. Lives on campus.”
“Oh, yeah, maybe I do recognize him.”
I don’t see how he wouldn’t, especially since Austin works at the coffee cart stationed in the center of campus. He’s taller than me, with wide shoulders, so he stands out. Plus, Austin has the best hair. It’s thick and wavy and a distinct copper color I’ve rarely seen. It matches the freckles on his nose, shoulders, and arms, but he hates it when you point them out. Add in his striking blue eyes, and guys should be fawning over him. But he’s very good at blending into the background and making himself seem small—or maybe invisible.
I smile. “He’ll probably be around sometimes. Hope that’s okay.”
“Totally fine.” He tilts his chin toward the wall beside my bed. “At least you two won’t be banging the headboard like Craig and his girlfriend.”
“Thanks for the heads-up.” Okay, maybe that is more like the dorm. Some nights, Austin and I would lie awake, laughing and making fun of some of the sex noises we’d hear from other rooms.
Milo slips into his sneakers near the door. “Wanna head downstairs for lunch? Most of us still use the dining hall on campus, but sometimes we go in on stuff. Today, it’s a sub tray. Sodas too.”
“Sounds good.”
I follow him out the door and down the stairs to the dining table, where the others are already gathered. I feel momentarily self-conscious, which would surprise Austin. I’m outgoing but not always as confident as I seem.
Though, there’s a difference between being confident and arrogant. Take, for example, my housemate Carson, who scrutinizes me as I grab a paper plate. I recognize him from my Gender Politics class because his hand was always raised and he liked to argue with the professor. I don’t mention we shared that class, nor does he, likely because he was too self-absorbed to notice. Or maybe I’m not giving him a fair enough shake and he’s different once you get to know him. Like it is with Austin. He’s pretty quiet until he’s comfortable with someone.
As soon as we’re all seated and eating around the table, I relax. Even more so when Craig introduces himself and Milo throws me a smirk like it’s our inside joke. Everyone is nice and welcoming, even Carson, so maybe the decision to move in with these guys will end up being exactly what I’ve hoped for. Even if I do miss Austin.
2
AUSTIN
By the end of the week, I have to admit it’s lonely without Dex. He’s such a big part of my life that my thoughts are consumed with what he’s up to every minute—outside of our frequent texts.
Though I have a sneaking suspicion I know exactly what he’s up to. Dex has always been a social person, and I can picture him kissing babies and running for office someday. He has this charismatic personality everyone gravitates toward, so he’s likely hanging out with all his new housemates. I briefly met Milo and Ian when I helped carry the first batch of boxes over, and they seemed nice.
I can’t help wondering if any of the guys are gay and might eventually hook up with Dex. It could prove awkward living in the same house after something like that. Not that Dex will mind. He’s left plenty of enchanted men in his wake. He makes himself clear with hookups upfront. But while he’s good at the art of flirting and seduction, he’s woefully bad at relationships and connections, at least in the romance department.
I, on the other hand, am sort of obsessed with romance books and romantic comedies. I know what I want, but I’m way too shy and self-conscious to follow through. And don’t even get me started on dating apps and those uncomfortable encounters.