“No, they’re suggesting things that have happened to them to put them off someone,” Levis says.
“Oh.” I look between Haze and Honey Bee, incredibly bothered that I didn’t realize they’d had those experiences. “No. Nothing like that. It has to do with Voss but… not really.”
“Clear as mud,” Oakley says.
“I said I didn’t want to talk about it,” I point out.
“We’ll drop it,” Briar says.
“Where’s Emmy?” I ask.
“With Noaz. They’ll drop Emmy off with us in a bit.”
“Promise that he’s not—” Honey Bee starts.
“Stop,” I demand. “I changed the subject already. I’mnottalking about this, so stop trying to force me to.”
She frowns at me but doesn’t comment again.
“Iamfine, okay? Just let me work through this on my own, and when I’m ready, I’ll talk about it.”
“All right,” she agrees. “Sorry. You’ve been in a better mood for the past six months, and I really don’t want to see something bother you so much that you’re a jerk again.”
“Fair,” I agree. “I’ll try not to let that happen.”
“I’m going to say this, and it might come off as pressuring you, but it’s a reminder,” Levis says. “Sometimes talking things over with those you trust can help more than struggling through it on your own. Keep that in mind.”
I nod. “I know. Thanks for the reminder.”
“Okay, cool.” Levis looks at Honey Bee for a minute, a silent command that she let it go too. Then he turns to Oakley. “How’s the baby making coming?”
It’s a good thing I didn’t have something in my mouth. I feel like I’m choking on water I wasn’t drinking at the question.
I’m not the only one, though. Briar coughs as if he also choked on invisible water.
Oakley bursts out laughing. “Oh, the baby-making process is fucking fun!”
I scrunch my face.
“Really, though. Where are you with that?” Levis asks.
Last year, Oakley announced that he and Loren were discussing babies. We’ve all been concerned with this decision because Loren is a damn sociopath. He’s also obsessive about Oakley’s time. I’m willing to bet he’s just beyond the doors where he can see Oakley right now. None of us can imagine him sharing Oakley’s time and attention with children.
Except Oakley.
“Still discussing,” Oakley says. “We’re looking at surrogacy options and have agreed that we want our children to have our DNA.”
Hmm, even I’m scientifically fluent enough to understand that’s not possible between two men.
“Uh, honey,” Honey Bee begins.
Oakley grins. “We’re planning to ask an egg-bearing Van Doren to donate eggs and then my swimmers.”
“Ah,” Briar says. “I was getting a little concerned about your understanding of biology.”
“Nah. We get it. Loren would really like to change it, but I think I’ve convinced him that no matter how much money we throw at that particular scientific advancement, it’s not possible right now. He’s coming around to the Van Doren egg donor thing.”
“So, one kid?” I ask.
