“It’s a morning thing.”
“I know. It happens to me too.”
“Oh, yeah, of course.”
I kiss him on the lips. “I’m going to have a shower.”
“Is that your way of tactfully leaving me alone to masturbate?”
“Partly. But I do need a shower.”
He scrunches his face up. “But you’re about to get in a pool, and I know you’ll shower after.”
“That doesn’t mean I want to stink out the bus on my way to the pool.”
“You love water.”
“Guilty as charged. I’ll see you later, okay?”
“Say bye before you go?”
“Okay.”
I remember to turn the snooze function off so the alarm doesn’t disturb Em, and then go to the door.
I pause. “Open or closed?”
He’s lying on his back now. He tucks his hands under his head, purses his lips, and stares at the ceiling for a few seconds. “Closed. I’ll open it again before you go, so you know it’s okay to say bye.” His cheeks go a pretty shade of pink, which is a vast improvement on the violent shade of red they went last night. “Casey.”
“Yeah?”
“We did an okay job of figuring it out, didn’t we?”
“Yeah, we did.”
“Don’t forget we’re having a film night with Auggie tonight.”
“I won’t. I’m looking forward to it.” Even though he’s likely to pick a movie he’s already made me watch at least a dozen times. I’d watch it a hundred more if it made him happy.
I close the door and go to the bathroom. I have a spring in my step. I always thought that was metaphorical, but no, it’s not. My gait is bouncier than normal, and I can’t stop grinning. It’s going to be a good day.
19
AUGGIE
Emory is being freaking adorable. We’ve spent the last hour making out on his sofa, but now he’s getting ready for our film night by getting extra cushions and making two flavours of popcorn.
“Do you prefer salt or sweet?”
“Sweet.”
“Me too. Casey prefers salted popcorn.”
“Don’t get me wrong. There are some things I do like salty, like cum. But when it comes to popcorn, I prefer sweet.”
Emory’s skin fills with colour from his hairline all the way down until it disappears beneath the collar of his T-shirt. I’d love to take his T-shirt off to find out how far down his blush goes.
“Do you want me to do anything?” I ask casually as though I haven’t embarrassed the heck out of him.
