“What do I do?” I ask, voice trembling. “I don’t want to lose him. I can’t.”
“You won’t,” she assures me, though I don’t believe her. “When you find true love, nothing will stop you from keeping it.”
Not even the destruction of your own family?
It think, for once, my best friend is wrong.
This is a disaster.
Eric
Things are fucked up.
Having our parents show up the other day was a wake-up call neither of us wanted. I can feel both of us trying to put distance between the other. It sucks ass.
Despite the strangeness during the days, we seem to end up naked and making love in the middle of every night. I come inside her and make whispered promises I have no business making. We love each other in those dark moments like it’s the realest, most normal thing on the planet.
But the days, man.
Ugh.
“Scootch your bootch,” Yolanda says as she opens her oven. “You okay, honey?”
I nod as I brown the sausage. I’ve been at our parents’ house since the butt crack of dawn this morning. Tonight is the big party and we have so much to do. Clara is supposed to come by after work to lend a hand. As much as I want to see her, I’m not sure if I’ll be able to handle the weirdness of us being in our childhood home knowing we have such a horrible secret.
Horrible?
It’s actually the most amazing thing that’s ever happened to me. I hate that it has to be kept a secret. One day, we might have to squash it altogether.
Then why do you keep having unprotected sex with your stepsister, dumbass?
“I’m fine,” I lie with a grunt. “Just thinking about what Dad said.”
Yolanda closes the oven and then rests her hip on the counter near me to study me up close. “You know he means well, but sometimes oversteps. If you’ve got the savings, take time to find what you want to do. Don’t let him rush you.”
“I wish I could do this with you,” I tease, grinning at her. “Bake shit and listen to music.”
She chuckles and smacks my arm. “Don’t tease an old woman. It’s mean.”
We fall into a comfortable routine, making a shit ton of stuff from her list. It’s nearing five when we stop for a break. I suck down a bottle of water while my mind drifts to Clara.
I miss her.
I can’t go a day without her, apparently, without physically aching for her. She has me so fucked in the head.
“Hey guys,” a sweet voice calls out. “Did I miss out on all the fun?”
My chest tightens at the sound of Clara entering the house. She waltzes into the kitchen, a bag over her shoulder and a smile on her face. I track her, feeling the pull to go to her, as she hugs her mom. Then, she gives me a quick hug. I wish I could crush her to me and keep her there.
“We’re mostly done,” Yolanda says, stroking her hand down Clara’s back. “We need to get ready, of course, but it’s just about ready.”
“I can keep an eye on the oven,” I tell Yolanda, “if you want to go get dressed. It’ll only take me a couple of minutes to get ready.”
She gives me a grateful smile and hurries out of the kitchen. Clara sets her bag on the floor and peeks at me under her dark lashes. It’s dangerous being in this kitchen alone with her.
“How was work?” I ask, voice gruff. “Busy?”
I hate small talk. And yet…
