“Look, making peace is a skill I’ve never had. I rut and pout, until the time for healing has gone and the wounds become permanent scars that keep me awake at night. Until they morph into shadows and haunt my dreams as well.”
He nods, knowing what I’m talking about, but he has enough grace to stay silent, probably at the sight of my watery eyes.
“Don’t follow my limping footsteps. Happiness comes from you. You’re the architect of your own. It took you a while to heal, and you partly did, at least physically, but now it’s time you face your fears and tell them to sod off. Don’t waste your life like this, Sully-doo.”
His trembling smile is not very convincing, but I see something new in his eyes. Hopefully determination.
“Where’s Brad tonight? And did he move in here?” I ask him, since it feels like we both need a change of topic. Plus, I don’t like Brad in my room. He used some of my body cream and moisturizer.
“School away game.” He shrugs. “He didn’t move in. It’s just temporary. His father is renovating their house.”
“Aren’t they gazillionaires? Can’t he go to a five star hotel?”
“He could, but you know Brad.” Sully’s lips turn into an affectionate smile. “He hates all that fake, pretentious luxury.”
“And he loves his Sully-doo!” I boop his nose. “Have you fucked yet?”
“What?” Sully’s head snaps up so fast his glasses bump against his forearm sliding all the way down his nose. The temple tips avoid the fall remaining miraculously behind his ears. “Ech!” he makes a revolted sound while pushing his glasses back up.
“Why not? Brad is Thor-hot…in a sweet, loyal, himbo kind of way.” I really like Brad. Physically, he’s Sully’s opposite: tall, brawny, long blond hair and smiley blue eyes. And his personality is very different as well; he’s cheerful and easy to befriend, there’s no cloud shadowing his thoughts. Perfect for a first time.
“Don’t see anything wrong in starting to explore with a friend.”
“Are you telling me you and…Ollie?” He makes a disgusted face.
“Come off it! If that was the case, I’d have reminded him every chance I got. ‘Oh, Ollie, pass the cheese, and do remember that time I smashed you?’”
“You smashing him?”
“Hey, I can be vers if I feel like it.” I make thrusting movements with my hips, causing him to wince.
“Brad is like a brother to me. No smashing there unless he does it on a football field. Plus, I’m not sure he’s into boys.” He makes a pondering face.
Sully doesn’t know if his bestie likes the chimichanga? That’s odd. I know almost everything about Ollie and vice versa. Although, every friendship has its own boundaries and precious little peculiarities.
“Ren Wright just arrived.” Serena’s voice coming from the front door intercom stops our conversation, making Sully jerk back, almost pushing the bag of chips out of my hand.
“Easy,” I tell him in a soothing tone. The alarm system Rami installed is very cool and sort of creepy, but Sully has turned a tad jumpy since what he went through.
A few seconds later, the door opens and in comes Ren, one of Hunter’s triplets.
“Hey, if it’s not Offspring Two from the Scooby Gang,” I joke, alluding to the way he and his brothers call Rami, Velma.
He makes a clicking sound with his tongue, staring at my loose t-shirt that reaches my knees—it’s hippie-fabulous. His mirrored glasses are, as usual, covering his eyes, sandy blond hair waving around his temples, and a small smirk on his lips. But it’s his clothes that make my eyes widen with horror.
“The atrocious ensemble you’re wearing is a crime against eyesight.” I cover my eyes, not wanting to look at his prison-orange t-shirt and blue cargo shorts anymore. What happened to his no-brainer, polo-and-jeans look?
When I lower my hand, I notice that my statement doesn’t seem to have affected him. So, either he doesn’t care—which is impossible because I know he’s the only one among his bros who has taste—or…
“It’s a walk of shame! You shagged someone,” I yell.
He nods, and after stealing the forgotten bag of chips from my hand, drops himself on the black armchair to my left.
“Did they tear off your clothes with their teeth? That’s hot!” I wiggle my eyebrows at him suggestively.
“You look as annoying as usual. So, why did I have to take care of Wednesday?” Ren completely ignores my question and instead complains around a mouthful of chips.
“Is she okay?”
