She turns her body so that she’s on her side, looking at me. I feel the ice blue of her eyes boring into the side of my face. I don’t move. “I don’t like how you spoke to me at school this morning.”
“Mia—” I start.
“I know you were acting like that because you were in protective big brother mode, but it wasn’t cool.”Oh, is that why I was acting like that? It had nothing to do with seeing you in what I thought was another guy’s shirt?
I clear my throat. “I’m sorry. That was really uncalled for,” I say to the ceiling. It takes all of my strength to turn on my side and face her. “I really was… worried.”About your safety and also that you were sucking strange dick that wasn’t mine.Fuck. “Especially when you didn’t come home,” I finish instead.
She hums. I have the sudden urge to trace the skin on her cheek, wondering if it’s as soft as it looks smooth. “I tried to talk to a guy but then I got really nervous and stuttered and then took a bunch of shots,” she says.
“Not quite man-eating behavior,” I say to her pillowy mouth.
“I need your help,” she whispers.
I squeeze my eyes shut. “It’s not a good idea,” I force out. “Leo will kill me. He doesn’t think I’m the… best with women?—”
“Fuck that,” she says. “You’re hot, charming, and irresistible, which makes you the perfect person to help me.”
“Sorry, can you say that again? I didn’t hear you the first time,” I can’t help but cut in, grinning ear to ear.
She pokes my Dimple. “Based on the Blonde Parade you’ve had in and out of your room since high school, yes. I’d say most, if not all women think you are hot, charming, and irresistible.”
My grin drops.
“What, am I wrong?” Mia scoffs.
“I guess not,” I mutter.
“So will you help me?” she asks earnestly.
“Mia—” I close my eyes, hoping I disappear or that she goes away.
“I can still see you, Elias. Please.” I feel her delicate fingers lock with mine. “We don’t have to tell Leo.”
My eyes fly open, and I rip my hand away. “You were the one who spilled the fucking beans to him, Mia! With barely any prompting at all!”
“I know. I’m sorry. I swear on my life it won’t happen again. Last night made me realize how desperately I need you. I can’t do this on my own.”
I feel like she’s staring into my fucking soul, and for the second or maybe third time this week, I realize I will never say no to her.What the hell is your fucking problem? After jacking off to the feeling of herthong, for fuck’s sake, you’re going to do this?!“Fine. But just through this weekend, Mia. I’ll help you or give you pointers or help you practice or whatever in New Orleans, but it ends when we get back to New York.”
“But—”
“No ‘buts’. Those are my terms. I’m not having that shit spill over to Leo again. We’re not taking it home. Take it or leave it.”
She huffs. “Fine.” She turns onto her back, and I do the same.
This is a familiar feeling, a safe one, sitting or lying around on couches, or beds, or basement or living room or forest floors. Staring at the ceiling, at the sky, thinking about everything and nothing all at once.
“How much does it bother you when your parents talk to you like that?” I finally ask, unable to ignore that cringy feeling from their earlier conversation.
She laughs without humor. “I’m used to it. I’ve been getting it my whole life.”
“From Leo, too?”
“Yep. Why do you think I was so pissed off after breakfast this weekend? I’m always being dismissed. Fucking always second best. Nothing I do matters enough.”
I think about this. “Were you pissed that I was putting you second to Leo?”
She shrugs. “Yeah, but you’re his best friend.” The nonchalance in her voice doesn’t match her body language. This makes me want to take her hand. I reach over, and I do. “I love you just as much as I love Leo,” I make sure to tell her.
