Page 47 of Make Me Dream of You

“You don’t have to.” He hands me the toothpaste. “I like you wearing it,” he says, quieter.

I don’t respond, vigorously brushing my teeth instead, and he leaves.

Son of a bitch. I told myself I wasn’t going to let him frazzle me anymore. I had another guy’s tongue in my mouth tonight, for Christ’s sake.

I flop onto the bed. It’s almost two in the morning and I’m wide awake. I check my phone. I have a message from Anthony saying he had a nice night. I’ll reply tomorrow.

Going into the app, I look for a message from him, and there it is, from earlier tonight.

2Horned:

Are you around tonight? I’m a bit lonely

I find myself smiling at his message. I don’t know why, but he’s the only person I want to talk to right now. Maybe because I don’t have to be the Livvy everyone thinks I am or expects me to be with him. I can just…be. And I don’t have to worry about my reputation or how I’m perceived. I can be sad or stressed or say dirty jokes or straight up ask him to call me his whore and he never judges.

ANG3L:

Hey, I just saw this. I know it’s late but I’m here now. I could use some company too.

Are you still up?

2Horned:

Hey, you. Yeah, I’m up

ANG3L:

Can’t sleep still? The nightmares?

2Horned:

They’ve been not as bad. No, tonight I sort of fucked up with a friend and now she’s mad at me. It’s going to keep me up

ANG3L:

I’m sorry. I’ve had a weird night too. I’m sure she’ll forgive you if you apologize sincerely

2Horned: