“If you keep lying about silly things I’ll start thinking everything you say is a lie, Aaron Archer.” I tell him—still very mad that hewonthe game of Monopoly! He groans.
“Alright fine, I totally did that.” He drops to his knees in front of me after I sit on the edge of our bed, staring up at me with a pleading gaze. “But I was desperate. I would have stolenone milliondollars if it meant you’d put your dick in my mouth.” I’m trying so hard not to laugh—to not get hard, but it’s incredibly difficult. “Look at me, Button. I’m starving.” Aaron pouts—resting his cheek on my thigh as he stares up at me. His black hair laying over his temple, curls resting over his ear. Green eyes so mischievous and enticing. All muscle and sex.
“You’re such a little manipulator.” I tell him, standing up to unbutton my jeans. Aaron just grins up at me. He always wins—fuckingasshole.
The past year—give or take—has been just like this. Suspiciously peaceful. I guess that’s a given when Ronnie is probably petrified of Aaron—so I haven’t seen him since the day he got his ass beat. But outside of that everything else is going so smoothly. Too smoothly. Yet—I’ve not had thatfeelingthat you get—the one that tells you the shoe will be dropping now. My stomach has just been… settled.
Living with Aaron is great. He’s very organized and clean so we never have any issues in that department. We’re both pretty busy too—so if we won’t be home for dinner or have to cancel a plan at the last minute, we make sure to communicate that way both of us can adjust accordingly. It’s comfortable—but I expected that. We did basically live together for years before college. It was just a different… environment?
Aaron started interning at a publishing house in town—one that handles the newspaper and the local news page. He’s in his last year so it’s that time when you get really serious and spread yourself way too thin. It does make me miss him, especially when I have to fall asleep alone.
But I finally decided on a career path, which is very exciting. I never really gave it much thought before. Back when Felix decided on Computer Sciences, I just jotted down Environmental Science. It was the first thing I could think of. I don’t even know if that’s an actual career path. But now—after everything that’s happened in the past few years—I’ve decided to pursue a degree in Psychology. I imagine I’d make a good therapist as someone who’s lived through some shit—right? Anyway, this new career path has given me motivation as well.
We spend time with our friends when we can—have date nights with Felix and Kayla and visit the Archer house. And spenda lotof time in bed. If it hits the two-day mark Aaron will drag me right back to it—ready to tear me in two. He’s not very patient.
Like now—as he’s trying to convince me to go home early from whatever event it is Felix has invited us to.
“Benjamin—I’m being very serious with you. I will explode.” I roll my eyes, standing under the tree we were told to wait under. There are people here I don’t know and a bunch of our friends. When I see Greg and Tina pull up, I’m completely sure of what’s happening.
“I think Fe is proposing.”
“What?! No way—he would have told us.” I think otherwise. Aaron stands behind me and pulls me against him—his bulge pressing into my ass. “Button, your pants are so flattering it’s driving me crazy. Hey—wanna have my kids? I can fuck so far into you we have twins.” I choke out a laugh, looking up at him over my shoulder.
“Aaron!” His face tells me he’s completely serious.
“We could figure it out. Our babies would be so cute we’d have to lock them up.” He’s staring down at me with so much intensity I just know he’s picturing it in his head. Every moment—including locking up the babies.
“It’s probably best that we can’t have children then.” I laugh. His eyes narrow—fingers digging into my hips.
“How fucking dare you. Those are ourchildren.” He’s always doing this—talking like we’re already settled down. Joking about babies and mortgages. I think he has some weird kink about it. Luckily—Felix saves me from this spiraling conversation.
“I fucking told you. Look!”
Felix is in a well-fitted white suit with no blazer. His hair is left down—the curls smooth and tamed and falling to his collarbones. He looks so nervous as he goes to stand under a tree not that far from us. Fairy lights turn on, lighting up the branches.
Felix’s eyes find us and then he’s grinning at me. I give him a big thumbs-up and lean back against Aaron—soaking in his warmth. Fuck. My best friend is proposing to his high-school girlfriend. Am I getting old?
Kayla comes walking down the path to this secluded section of the park—clearly dolled up but still shocked about this turn of events. Her hands over her mouth as she cries—a beautiful silk—navy-bluedress hugging her figure. Her long ginger hair is hanging down her back in big loose curls. Everyone cheers until she reaches Felix—then it’s silent.
“Kay—” Felix starts, grabbing her waist and staring down at her. “I’ve known I wanted to marry you since I was seventeen years old. I would have chased you all the way across the globe if that’s what you had wanted. But you chose to stick with me instead. And unless I’m nuts, I think that means you like me too.” Kayla laughs, wiping under her eyes. “You’re so incredibly smart—so beautiful. You are my perfect counterbalance. We were made to be together. So, I beg you—Kayla Anderson—” Felix drops to one knee—pulling out a ring from his back pocket. “Marry me.”
“YES!” She tackles him to the ground, and everyone screams and claps. I may be crying. They’re laying there kissing and talking and kissing again so we mind our business for a minute. I turn to Aaron.
“Of course Felix would be the one tobeginstead of ask during a proposal.” When I look up at Aaron he’s staring at his brother with a very confused, hurt expression. “Aaron?” I cup his jaw. His eyes are darting between the two lovebirds—lips tilted into a frown.
“What?” His attention snaps to me—startled. “What’d you say?”
“Are you okay?” Aaron says nothing—nods once and goes back to staring at his brother. Silent sign forI’ll tell you later. Message received, captain.
Eventually Felix and Kayla make their way down the line of guests to us—smiling and giddy.
“Damn Fe—you never got me such a cute ring.” I complain, holding Kayla’s hand and grinning at her.
“It’s still in the mail.” He winks.
“Congrats you two. Seriously—this is so awesome. Kayla, you look beautiful.”
“Thanks, BearBear.” She hugs me.
