Charlie: You all suck.
“Are you sure you’re up to coming with tonight?” I turn towards Kip as we approach Fae and Tommy’s apartment.
“Yeah, baby, it’s fine. Work was rough with Bryant smashing his foot, but I think this’ll be good. I could use some fun. The only thing I will object to is playingMonopoly. There is no way that game could be calledfun.”
“Psshttt…maybe you haven’t playedMonopolythe right way then.” I counter.
“The only way it could be fun is if you added nudity…and based onyour earlier reaction to my suggestion of strip poker…I’m gonna guess you don’t play stripMonopolyeither.”
“How about this, tonight when we’re alone, we can play strip whatever you want.”
Kip hums, a dirty smirk on his face. “I like the sound of that. I’m gonna hold you to it.”
“Deal.”
Before I can even raise my fist to knock on the front door, it swings open to reveal Fae with a sadistic smile.
“Why, hello there Charlie and Charlie’s soulmate.” She says sweetly.
“Oh, he told you of my soulmate status, did he?” Kip’s eyes light up as they dart between me and Fae. “I’m honored.”
I roll my eyes. “I did no such thing.”
“Oof, that hurts, baby. Are you saying I’m not your soulmate? Your one and only? The love of your life?” Kip glowers.
“Yeah, Charlie? Is that what you’re saying?” Fae pipes up.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake.” I make to grab Kip’s bicep. “Alright, princess, time to go. This was a bad idea.”
“Princess?” Fae says at the same time that Kip says “No, baby please, I’m just teasing!”
“Fae, are you bothering the poor lovebirds?” Tommy appears in the doorway.
“You’re going to scare him away!” And there’s Lukas. “Charlie’s never had a real boyfriend before. Don’t scare him off!”
I groan. “Why did I think this would be a good idea?”
“I’m having a good time.” Kip chirps.
I shoot him a look, before turning to my friends to glare at them. “Alright, you bitches, you better behave or I’m never bringing Kip around again. Got it?”
“Yes, sir!” Fae salutes.
“I’ll keep her in line, I swear.” Says Tommy.
“We’ll be so good, I promise.” Lukas chimes in.
I sigh, and against my better judgement, pull Kip inside the apartment behind me.
We just finished a round ofMansions of Madness,Lukas is refilling our drinks, and things seem to be going alright. Despite theinitial discomfort caused by Fae and her comments. I know my friends were just teasing, but Kip and I haven’t even said ‘I love you’ yet, let alone had a talk about being soulmates. Even if I do believe he might be mine.
“Soooooo, Kipper. What are your intentions with our Charlie?” Fae crosses her arms.
Oh fuck, here we go again.
“Well, I’m like one hundred percent sure he’s it for me.” Kip doesn’t even think before answering. “He’s literally perfect. So I guess my intention is to date him until he deems it appropriate for us to get married and live happily ever after?”
I’m in the midst of taking a sip of my newly open cider when he responds, and I choke.
