“Fuck ’em,” he says as he turns on the TV. “We’ve been trying to watch the last episodes for ages. There’s always someone who’s not at home.”
I nod, just as a text comes in. I snicker at Kaylee’s reply. I don’t talk to her much; she moved halfway across the country, and, well, she’s myex. But we’re still on good terms. We like each other’s Instagram pics and shit, send the occasional meme or funny reel.
“You were right. Patrick’s a Patrice and Patrice is a Patrick,” I say, grinning. “She asked why we couldn’t fucking Google that ourselves. It’s apparently pretty damn clear by their colors.”
A laugh comes from the other couch. “Knew it. Called it. Transgender ducks it is. Congrats dude.” He holds out his beer, and I tap it with mine before taking a sip. “We’re gonna be duck-daddies.”
“Again, you mean.” I’m not gonna get into it right now, but those ducks can’t stay here much longer. It’s not the right setup for them. They stink, they need so much attention and I don’t think it’s wise to have more. Tomorrow, I’ll corner Tuck and ask if his mom wants to take them in. He grew up on a farm, after all.
We fall into an easy silence as we turn our attention back to the TV. Reacher’s currently beating the ever-loving shit out of someone twice his size, which is both absurd and weirdly therapeutic. Exactly what I need. Or at least that’s what I keeptelling myself while zoning out to Alan Ritchson’s ridiculously perfect body.
After the first episode ends, Lam lets out a dramatic sigh and shifts on the couch, flopping onto his side. “Dude, come here,” he says, patting the cushion in front of him. “It’s time.”
I frown. “For what? You wanna cuddle up or something?”
“Fuck yeah. I know you miss Jace. But I misshertoo, man,” he says without hesitation. Then adds, deadpan, “You can be the little spoon. You’re used to having a guy behind you.”
I grumble all the way over there. “As long as you’re not trying to hump me.”
“Penis promise I won’t hump you.”
“Penis promise?”
“Yeah, it’s like a pinky promise, only bigger.”
I can’t help it, I fucking chuckle. “Please tell me you’re not intending to wrap Kaa the cock around mine. I don’t think Jace will like that.”
“Nah. It’s just a figure of speech.” He slaps the cushion again. “C’mere. Let us be each other’s emotional support animals, since those little fuckers are nowhere to be found. All inclusivity means I can get included in cuddle-time as well, right?”
I snort, shaking my head as I lower myself in front of him. Shit, I’ve known this dude my entire fucking life. We’ve shared baths as little kids, beds on road trips, passed out on each other after games, cuddled more times than I can count. He’s more of a brother to me than my actual brothers.
If he wants a hug, he’s getting a damn hug. Even if, maybe, I might need one myself just as bad.
It takes us a little maneuvering before he settles in behind me, arm slung over my waist like this is just another Saturday night.
“That’s better, huh?” He taps my stomach over my shirt.
“Stupidly enough? I think it kinda is.”
“Okay. And now shut it. We’re gonna watch Alan take off his shirt again,” he mutters, already zoned back in on the TV.
“Lam?”
“Yeah?”
“You wanna tell me something?”
It’s quiet for a bit, and honestly, that’s a victory all on its own, before he finally sighs. “Nah. Not yet, anyway. But I’ll tell you when I get there. Promise.”
I smile, tapping his hand. That’s the least I could ask of him. “Penis promise?”
He chuckles softly. “Yes, penis promise. Now shut the fuck up and let me emotional-support you in silence. I think they’re about to blow some shit up.”
FOURTEEN
We’reinSeattle,third-to-laststop on the tour. Only five days left, and I’m already counting down the hours. After this, it’s San Francisco, then LA. And after? I finally get to gohome.
I’m not the only one who’s been feeling it, either. You can justfeelit in the air tonight; we’resoclose to the finish line, and people are just itching to go back to their loved ones. The energy is fucking electric tonight. People are louder, grinning wider, dancing harder, like they’re trying to squeeze every last drop out of the chaos before it ends.
