“It’s not the only thing that’s big.”
I groaned.
“That was a bad one, huh?”
“You think?”
He laughed and tossed his arm over my hip. Logic told me I should pull away, to retreat from his closeness. Instead, I moved closer...or he pulled me closer. Either way, our bodies nearly touched.
“Can’t grow a beard. The face mask wouldn’t seal.”
I nodded, remembering the facemasks firefighters wore. The mask had to seal against their skin, and facial hair got in the way.
“But I grow a hell of a mustache during No Shave November.”
“Oh God, please not those hideous things. Corey usually grows one during that time of the year too.”
His mouth gaped open. “Excuse you, nobody sports a mustache like the men of Rescue Four. Hell, for you, this year, I might grow it long enough to curl the edges up. Put a little gel on the tips to make it stand just right.”
“Get outta here.” I pushed him away, laughing.
His laughter blew through my chest like a cool breeze I’d been desperately waiting for on a hot summer night. It calmed my insides.
“I saw Corey tonight,” I said after our laughter died down, my voice barely above a whisper. “He’s okay physically. Well, as okay as can be expected given his new body.”
“He’s still not taking my calls.”
“I figured,” I said. “Mama says he needs more time to adjust, but it’s been over eight months. I see him. He’s still alive but I miss him. It’s selfish of me, I know. To want the old Corey back.” Don’s hold on me tightened. “I basically told my mom she babies him.”
I wanted to suck the words back in as soon as they left my mouth.
I dipped my head, embarrassed by the slight feeling of envy that coursed through me.
“You told me that before.”
Peering up, I wrinkled my brows, trying to recall what he referred to.
“DeniseGamerChick.”
“I talk too much on that damn video game.”
He kissed my forehead. For half a second, I stopped breathing. My heartbeat kicked up a notch, and I wanted to angle my face up to encourage him to go lower until our lips met.
He pulled back. “You talk just enough.”
Only to you.
That was the truth. I hadn’t talked to nearly as many other players while playing video games.
“I leave messages with him at least three times a week,” he said. “I know he listens to them, or maybe he’s just deleting them. I tried visiting on a few occasions but he either told your mom to send me away or, he was at an appointment.”
“What kind of messages do you leave him?”
“Bullshit, mostly.” He lifted and lowered his shoulder. “Basic gossip happening at the station. Types of calls we get. Cursing him out for not answering the phone.”
Relief flooded my body. I’d hoped Don hadn’t mentioned anything about what was happening between him and me.
“I got angry with my mother because it felt like she did the same thing with my father.” I paused. “She made excuses for him too. I know it’s a different situation with Corey. But my father…”
