Page 42 of Tongue-Tied
“Oh, please.” Mom’s eyes crinkle in amusement. “You two were meant to be in each other’s lives.”
“She always says that.” My stepdad smiles. “But I agree. Keep being good to each other.”
When I end the call, Dex throws his arm around me and messes my hair.
“See?” Milo says. “Built-in ‘rents too.”
Dex cracks up, but I don’t look at him or respond because, for some reason, my skin feels all prickly. It’s true that we get along great with each other’s parents, but it doesn’t mean we should date each other. That might ruin everything.
Kael and I wave our goodbyes and head in the opposite direction.
17
DEX
It’s Saturday morning, and I’m volunteering for the local LGBTQ+ Teen Center’s food and clothing drive with the campus club. But it’s about more than food for the houseless teens who end up there. It’s also school supplies, undergarments, and bedding, among other things that are sorely needed to fulfill their basic needs.
I help Jason set up a table in the center of campus to accept donations, and students seem more than willing to give. Some drop off canned goods, while others donate money they dig out of their pockets, and let me tell you, every little bit counts.
There’s another group nearby handing out flyers for some sort of event and one of them with brown hair approaches me.
“Hi, I’m Jay. Can I hand you the deets about our oil-drilling protest?”
“Sure.” I take the paper, focusing on the time and date and the fact that it’s taking place on the beach. “A drag show theme? Sounds great.”
“Right?” He smiles big. I can see the gleam in his eye. The same one I probably get when I’m proud of something I’ve done to help the community. In Jay’s case, it’s for the environment. The two definitely go hand in hand.
Jay turns to a group of students walking by to hand out more flyers.
“Hope you get a huge turnout,” I call after him.
I make a mental note to show up myself, hopefully with Austin in tow.
Speak of the devil, I smile when I spot Kael and Austin heading in my direction, holding two large garbage bags. I only briefly mentioned the fundraiser, so I’m pleasantly surprised to see them.
“What have you got there?” I ask when they set the bags on the table. Jason raises his eyebrows in our direction, though he’s busy chatting with the other club members who showed up to volunteer.
“Mostly underwear and socks,” Austin replies. “It was Kael’s idea to include chest binders and packers for the trans youth.”
“It’s hard out there, especially if you don’t have support at home,” Kael says, and my heart clenches. His input is invaluable.
“This is amazing. Thanks so much.”
“You’re welcome,” Austin says. “We’ll leave you to it, then.”
“Where are you headed now?” I wish he’d hang out a bit, though I’ll be seeing him tonight for our second date.
“To grab lunch on the pier.” He arches a brow. “Want me to bring you something?”
I’ve been so busy I forgot to eat. “That would be fantastic.”
“Will do.” He smiles. “See you soon.”
There’s no need to tell him what I want. He’s well-acquainted with my menu choices from practically every single place around here. And as I watch them walk away, I think about how cool that is. We know each other so well.
I consider what Milo said at the movie the other night and how that made me feel—both warm and panicky. No way I’d ever want to wreck my friendship with Austin. And since we’ve started this whole fake-dating thing, Austin seems more attuned to every word and action between us. Though it was heartening to hear his contented sigh when brushing my fingers over his scalp. He’s got good hair. How could I not run my hands through it?
About an hour later, I’m staffing the table alone while Jason and another volunteer head off to hand out more flyers. I spot Austin and Kael walking toward me, holding a bag of Luco burgers, and my mouth waters at the thought of those salty fries.