“No, but if you’re going to be rude to me, then I’m going to point it out.”
“I’m not being rude. Christ, stop being so sensitive.”
“Me, sensitive?” I ask, pointing at my chest. “How am I being sensitive? You’re the one whose mood swings like goddamn Tarzan on a vine. For Christ’s sake, I can’t keep up with you. Just moments ago, we were cool, and now you’re being mean. Is this because I can’t go with you to the ball? Newsflash, JP, people need some notice.”
“Don’t flatter yourself,” he says and turns toward his bedroom.
“Why are you like this?”
“Like what?”
“We were having a nice time. We had a great lunch, we were communicating well, and now you’re dismissing me.”
“How do you want me to act? Do you want me to gush over your date?”
I want him to be normal.
I want him to not push me away.
I want him to... to... God, I’m so irritated that I can’t think straight.
I just want to make him understand. When I don’t answer, he starts to walk away again, but nope, that’s not a choice I’ll give him.
Wewillbe talking about this.
And we’ll be talking about this now.
I toss my book on the coffee table in front of me and walk up to him. I grab his hand, pull him to the couch, and force him to sit down.
“What the hell are you doing?”
No answers. He doesn’t deserve them. I push him back against the cushion of the couch, straddle his lap, and take a seat.
“Uh, Kelsey...”
“I’m not getting up until you change your attitude.” There, deal with that!
“Is this another attempt to trap me again?”
“Yes. And don’t get any funny ideas. I’m not trying to do anything... sexual, but knowing you, this position is satisfactory to you, therefore, this is where I’ll sit, on your lap, until you can talk to me without a sarcastic tone in your voice.”
“Might take a bit,” he says, sipping water from his glass.
I steal the glass from him and set it on the end table. I push him back on the couch with my other hand.
“Man, I didn’t know you were a dominatrix. That’s a hidden gem.”
“Shut up,” I say. “God, you’re so annoying.”
“And yet, you choose to be in my company.”
“I choose peace and that means getting you to stop being a dick. So... tell me something about you.”
“What?” he asks, a question on his brow.
“Tell me something, anything. We’re getting to know each other right now. Call it a company get-to-know-you. Oh, hey, okay... how about two truths and a lie. You know, that ice breaker game.”
“Does it look like I’m the type of guy who plays that sort of game?”
