Caleb signs something again, slower this time, but still too much for me to understand. Marcus picks up on my confusion and interprets for him, “C says he wishes we could offer you a place to stay with us, but between us and all the in-laws, we’re a pretty packed house.”
“Thanks anyway,” I mutter, “but I’d probably just be all Grinchy on you and be a total Christmas buzzkill.”
Marcus gasps, feigning a clutch to his heart. “And steal Gordy’s thunder? You wouldn’tdare…”
I chuckle. “Lay off him, he’s going through some shit. I may or may not have brought on this latest round of his wrath on myself. I’m just giving him space.”
See? Mature. Still a work in progress, but hey, I’m still plugging away at it. Bonus points for me putting some distance between myself and my infatuation with a guy who clearly doesn’t reciprocate, since he lets me bare my soul to him, yet all he can give me is a small chip from his armor. No, what I need to do is shut whateverthatwas down.
“Aw, look at you all sticking up for him!” Marcus teases me, then turns to Caleb, “I’m putting up another twenty on that crush being legit.”
Caleb shakes his head, points to Marcus, kisses his hand, and slaps his own ass. I’m no expert, but I’m choosing to interpret that as Marcus can kiss his ass on that bet.
“I am not crushing onGordy, Jesus. This isn’t middle school, and he’s the last person I should mess around with. My brother would lose his shit. So, you know what? You both are assholes, and you can both kissmyass! How about that?”
Marcus chuckles. “No can do, boss man. I kiss enough ass as it is.”
Caleb winks and finger-guns Marcus, clicking his tongue.
“You guys ever use those dating apps at all?”
“Used to. We obviously don’t really need to anymore…” Marcus interprets for Caleb.
“Maybe, once everything settles down after the holidays, you guys could help me set a profile up? Since, you know, I’m anewbie.”
Both guys chuckle, then Caleb nods. “We can do that, Cap,” Marcus adds.
We’re only a couple miles out from land, when my phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out, and when I see who the text is from, my heart stutters.
Croot
Why is all your shit gone?
I snort. And everyone thinksI’mthe town dumbass.
Me
Because it would be uncouth of me to depart your residence without all my clothing. O’Reilly’s got enough on his plate without needing to pinch me for indecent exposure.
Besides, it’s fuckin’ winter. Unsure if you know this or not, but that’s when it gets coldin Maine. I prefer to wear my balls on the outside, thanks.
I watch with a smirk as three dots appear, disappear, then reappear again several times.
Croot
In simpler terms, you moved out?
Me
Affirmative.
Croot
Why?
Me
I reckon it’s because you told me to.
