“Eh… sometimes. Most of the time, I guess.” I laugh a little. “It can be overwhelming at times, especially when my grandparents get into their feisty moods, but I love my family. They’ve supported me my whole career.”
“Mine have too. I’ve considered moving closer to them, but I like my space and privacy.”
“I’d go crazy if I was alone. Probably the biggest reason why I haven’t left.”
“Nothing wrong with that,” he says.
“So, have you never thought of settling down with someone?” I ask.
He doesn’t respond right away, and I’m not sure if he’s going to. I realize that’s a very personal question, but that’s never stopped me before.
“I’ve thought about it,” he says slowly. “And I’ve decided that if there is someone I can stand to be around, to have in my space, then they’re the person I should be with.”
“That is a good point. Smart.”
“Yeah, except I can’t stand most people for more than a hockey game,” he adds, laughing a little.
“You hang out with me a lot,” I note as we come to stop under a streetlight, a bench not too far off.
He looks from me to the bench, then gestures at it. We go to sit. It’s relatively private over here, especially at this time of night.
“I like being around you. You have a calming presence.”
“Really?” I blurt out. “Never heard that one before.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, usually I get told that I’m too cocky and I talk too much.”
“I like your confidence.”
“And the talking part?”
He smiles, looking down at his feet. “You don’t talk too much.”
I bump him with my shoulder. He looks up at me, his green eyes glinting in the light.
“You sure?”
“Yeah, I’m sure,” he says, his voice raspy. His gaze goes to my lips again and I can’t help but lick them. His part, and I so badly want to kiss this man right now. But I can be impulsive, so I don’t. “What else do you do at home?” he asks. “Tell me something I can’t read about online.”
“Something you can’t read about online? Wow. That’s an impressive question.”
He smiles, ducking his head again.
“Let me see,” I say, rocking my head back and forth as I think. “I like staying up late because the house is quiet. I like it because it’s silent, and I can think, but there’s still people around, so I don’t feel lonely. Oh, and… this is so bad. It’s embarrassing actually.”
“What is it?”
“You have to promise not to tell anyone. Ever. Like… ever.”
“Promise I won’t.”
“My guilty pleasure movie?” I look around, then lean closer. “Blades of Glory.”
His eyes widen and he chuckles. “No way.”
“Yeah, it’s so sad, I know. But it’s hilarious. I mean, it’s so cheesy that it’s good.”
