Colt huffs down the line.
“Joseph is in a relationship with anotherman. Babe, Joseph is gay.”
There’s silence on the other end of the line, and we all look at each other and wonder what’s happening.
“Well, that explains a lot,” Colt replies, sounding like he’s trying to suppress a laugh.
“Wait! Why does that explain a lot?” Joseph asks.
“Well, for starters, look at how you dress, dude. I mean, what straight guy wears a sweater around their neck? And I’m pretty sure you were checking me out in the rose garden, now I think about it,” Colt points out with a chuckle.
“Yeah, I was checking you out, but don’t tell Danny I said that.”
I shake my head in disbelief at the two of them.
“Who’s Danny?” Colt asks.
“My amazing boyfriend,” Joseph replies.
This is sofreaking weird—my current and ex-boyfriend are conversing without me, and I look at Anna, who’s smirking, obviously thinking the same as me.
“Oh, cool, congrats, man. Also, I want to thank you. I know Dee stayed with you while I was, well, being a dick, and I thought you were trying to get her back. But now I see you only looked out for her, so thank you. I really appreciate it,” Colt’s tone is much more upbeat.
“Anytime! But please, don’t make a habit of breaking her heart. I don’t think she could handle it again,” Joseph says.
“Message received loud and clear. And trust me, I’ll never leave that beautiful woman again. She’s stuck with me, isn’t that right, baby?”
“Sure is.” Hesitantly, I ask, “Colt?”
“Yeah, baby?”
“Thanks… for understanding. Joseph’s been amazing support, and Danny too, and you reaching out with an olive branch makes me happy,” I say.
“Well, I’m glad because I want to make you happy, Dee. I’ve been told I can be hot-headed, jump to the wrong conclusions, and react before thinking. But I’m working on that. I know I reacted to Joseph before knowing the full story. I trust you, so I don’t even know why I went off. Damn jealousy took hold, and Iam averyjealous man when it comes toyou. I miss you, baby,” he says.
“I’m glad you’re getting all the help you need. I can’t wait to see you next week,” I say, smiling at the thought.
“I’m allowed to make calls now, so I’ll call you as often as possible, okay?”
“Yes, all the yeses.”
“Well, chatting with you all was great, but I have to get going. Baby, can you take me off speaker so I can talk with you about something privately?” Colt asks.
“Ah, yeah, sure, say goodbye, everyone.” I hold my cell up.
“Bye,” everyone calls out.
I leave the room, taking the cell off speaker and placing it to my ear. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, everything’s fine, baby. I wanted to find out what you’re wearing?” he asks with a slight chuckle. My eyes widen, and I can’t help the giggle that escapes my lips.
“Seriously?” I ask, and he laughs.
“Yeah, it’s been so long since I was last with you, and I’m dying over here. Every time I close my eyes, all I can see is you naked, and it’s doing my damn head in.”
I look behind me to ensure no one’s in the room or nearby, and I lower my voice so they can’t hear me. “I’m wearing a black lace corset and a lace thong, suspenders, and stockings, and I’m bent over the lounge waiting for you,” I say sultrily.
“Fuck, baby, you gave me an instant hard-on. I wish you were here. I’m gonna have to jerk off in the shower to that image now,” he says, and I laugh.
