Page 52 of Shameless With Him

“Really? Ball and chain so quickly?” I winked as I said it, so he knew I was joking.

“First, fuck you. Second, fuck you more. Third, she’s just really stressed right now, and I don’t want to bug her. She’d do it in an instant, and because of that, I’m not going to annoy her.”

“She’s good for you.”

“I think so, too.” A far-away smile slid over my brother’s face, and I wondered if I’d ever find that. If I ever needed it. Or wanted it. “I hope I’m good for her, too. You know?”

“I think so. However, I think it’s her opinion that you’re going to need. Not mine.”

“That is true. Okay, I’m off. I’ll see you tonight. And I’m sorry I pissed you off.”

“You didn’t piss me off,” I said, hoping that what I said was honest. “I just have a lot on my mind right now.”

“Tell me about it.”

Devin headed out, and I stood there for a second, staring at the open doorway, wondering what the hell I was doing.

I needed to do better with this. Be better at what I was thinking, figuring out what needed to happen. Only I didn’t know what I wanted with Zoey. And I was usually the one who knew. I wanted fun, happiness, and respect. Sure, sex was good, but I didn’t want to feel like I was using someone along the way.

And I didn’t want to use Zoey at all. She meant more to me than I cared to admit, and she had always been my friend. There was a connection there, and I didn’t want to ruin that.

So, I told myself I wouldn’t.

I promised.

Later,armed with an assortment of cookies that I had picked up from a nearby bakery, I was on my way to my brother’s house.

I didn’t know what I was supposed to think about Zoey. I hadn’t texted her at all today, hadn’t even talked with her since we slept together. Sure, it had been less than forty-eight hours ago, but I was an asshole.

Maybe I should do something more than just thinking about her.

I pulled up to my brother’s house and parked the car. Before I got out, I took out my phone.

Me:Having fun tonight?

Great, that seemed like a good way to start a conversation. I really wasn’t good at this. And I didn’t even know what this was.

Zoey:Hey. I’m working late. And then I’m going to head home and think about a fancy baked potato for dinner. What about you?

Me: A baked potato sounds pretty awesome. Cheese, right?

I had officially lost my mind, but I didn’t really know what I was doing. I never did these days, especially when it came to Zoey.

Zoey:Oh, I even have cut-up bacon that I stored in my fridge. This potato’s going to be amazing.

I grinned.

Me:You’re going to have to make me one sometime.

There. That was planning a future. Around a baked potato, sure, but it counted, didn’t it?

Zoey:You’re always welcome over for a baked potato. Or, I could make real food.

Me: What do you like cooking?

Zoey:Anything, really. Although I’m not the best baker. Thankfully, we have friends for that now.

Me:Especially now that Thea and Erin are baking more with Thea pregnant. I’m going to have to start working out more to lose the weight of all the baked goods I have in my system.