He never responded, and I wondered if maybe he wouldn’t at all. Maybe he deleted the app. But a smirk tugs on my lips as I notice the unread message from him. My stomach does a weird dip and roll as I click on our thread.
FireInMyVeins: You’re probably right about my intrigue outweighing the fear. This is way outside the realm of anything I’ve done in the past. I don’t know what I’m doing or how I’m feeling, and it’s honestly a little overwhelming. I’m not used to questioning myself this much.
Dang, hitting me with some vulnerability on this fine Wednesday afternoon.
KnockinBoots: That’s fair. But you don’t need to know what you’re doing all the time. I’m here to teach… Remember?
“You gonna pull ya damn weight and help me, or sit thereand smile down at your phone like a damn fool the rest of the day?”
My head snaps up, gaze landing on my brother. He stands in front of the fence with a hand on his hip. “Someone’s sassy today,” I tease. “What’s the matter, brother? Not gettin’ your daily dose of dick?”
Finn’s jaw tics, and his scowl deepens. “My sex life is not the problem here,” he mutters. “My issue is with you slackin’ off while I bust my ass. Put your fuckin’ phone away and get to work.”
I bark out a laugh, shoving the phone into my back pocket. “Would you relax, ya big fuckin’ grump. I was on it for a few minutes, no need to get your panties in a bunch. Besides, I see you textin’ Ash all the time.”
“Yeah, about my kid,” he grits out. “Think that’s a little different than you textin’ your latest conquest.”
“Oh, only about Tucker?” A smirk slides into place. “What about the other day when Ash sent you a picture? Ya know, the one in the shower, with his hand wrapped around his co?—”
“Don’t even finish that sentence,” Finn cuts me off.
“I’m just sayin’! It was a hot-as-fuck photo but had nothin’ to do with your kid, so you ain’t no better than me.” Laughter spills out of me as his scowl deepens. Nothing amuses me quite like watching Finn get all territorial over his boyfriend. “Ya know what they say about glass houses, brother.”
I don’t need to see under my brother's sunglasses to know he’s rolling his eyes. It’s too damn easy to rile him up. “Cut the shit and get back to work, Hollis,” he growls. “And next time you look over my shoulder at shit you’ve got no business seein’, I’m kickin’ your ass.”
Throwing my head back, my shoulders shake with laughter. The rest of the afternoon drags on miserably, especiallywhen we get hit with a downpour. Normally, a little rain wouldn’t bother me, especially since it usually only lasts about ten minutes or so, but it’s hot as hell out. The moisture mixed with the heat creates a humid sort of hell. By the time we call it a day, I’m dripping sweat and exhausted. Back at my house, I preheat the oven before getting naked and hopping into the shower. The cool water feels incredible as it beats down on my overworked body.
Once I clean myself and get out, I wrap a towel around my waist and saunter into the kitchen, tossing a frozen pizza in the oven. My stomach grumbles, knowing I’ve barely eaten anything all day. I need to make sure to pack a lunch for tomorrow because it’s going to be just as long and grueling as today. Swiping my phone, I open the app, finding a message waiting for me.
FireInMyVeins: What’d you have in mind?
I pull myself onto the counter, sitting across from the oven while I wait for the pizza to cook.What do I have in mind?We could meet up and fuck. That sounds like a pretty damn good idea. But nah… I want to get a little deeper now.
KnockinBoots: Let’s start with your story.
FireInMyVeins: My story?
KnockinBoots: Yeah. You’ve admitted to being fresh out of a relationship… But how fresh? And are you gay? Bisexual? Pansexual? Were you married? Have kids? Tell me more about yourself. *smirk emoji*
FireInMyVeins: We’re getting real personal tonight, I see.
KnockinBoots: Think we’ve been doing the small talk bullshit long enough, don’t you? *wink emoji* I want to know the down and dirty details about you. Make you less of a mystery.
FireInMyVeins: I don’t know… I kind of like the mystery. I like how you don’t know who I am.
KnockinBoots: Yeah, well we’re moving past that. Answer the questions.
I stare at my phone long enough for the screen to go black, and then I stare at it some more, confusion clouding my mind. Why do I care so much about this guy’s back story? What is it about him that has me so curious?
Is it reallyjustthe mystery aspect of it?
FireInMyVeins: Can I be honest with you for a minute?
Huffing out a breath, I shake my head.This fucking guy.
KnockinBoots: Please. That’s kind of the whole point.
FireInMyVeins: Talking about this stuff is hard for me. It’s uncomfortable, but knowing I’m just another stranger to you makes it feel less uncomfortable.
