The more time I spend with Wade, the more I realize that he’s not mean at all. Maybe he is still grumpy, but most of all, he’s guarded.
And can I blame him? Not at all.
After everything he’s dealt with, I can’t say I wouldn’t be the same way. He’s bitter after living life as a chicken, all thanks to something his grandparents did. I’d be angry at the world too. Being forced to endure a punishment for something you had nothing to do with? It’s unfair. I just wish he understood that I want to help and I’m trying my best.
“Well, good night,” I say.
“Night,” Rhett says as he closes his eyes and settles onto the couch.
Wade stays silent.
I watch them a moment longer before switching off the light and heading upstairs, where Gus is waiting.
Sharing a bed with a man in Grannie’s house is… weird. That’s the best word I can come up with to describe it. She’d have had a heart attack before allowing anything like this, yet… here I am.
Gus is lying on the side closest to the wall, his arms behind his head, staring up at the ceiling. He looks over at me and smiles when I step into the room. I close the door most of the way before sliding into bed. Gus turns on his side, resting his head on his hand, his elbow digging into the pillow.
“How are they?”
“They’re good,” I say with a warm smile.
Being in bed with Gus isn’t awkward at all. It feels normal. Like we’ve been doing it for years.
“How do you think the morning will go?” I ask, getting comfortable.
“I think they’re going to be very upset to wake up as… chick… ens.” He lets out a slow breath, and smiles. “Gets easier every time.”
I huff a laugh. “What do you think it is? Why do you think it worked for you?”
Sighing, he turns onto his back, chewing on the inside of his cheek. “I’ve been going over and over in my head aboutthat. I want to help them, I want to give them the answer, but I’m not sure it’s as simple as that.”
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t know how to explain it.”
“Try.”
He nods, taking a moment to gather his words before saying, “Sleeping inside with you, I felt truly happy for the first time in a long time. I was happy to meet you, to be with you… I mean, you’re so pretty.” He glances at me and smirks.
My cheeks heat.
“Stop it,” I say, giving him a little shove.
“But really,” he continues. “I was just happy to be here with you. Talking with you. For once, I wasn’tobsessedwith trying to leave ornotturning into a… chi… cken.”
“So, you think it’s your mind? Like the way you think?”
“Does that sound stupid?” he asks, looking vulnerable.
“No, Gus. Of course not. I think it makes a lot of sense, actually. Your mind is a very powerful thing.”
Nodding, he turns his attention back on the ceiling. “I’m afraid if I explain that to them, it won’t work because they want it to work. I don’t know… it’s confusing.”
I lean in and kiss his cheek. He turns to me with a smile. “What was that for?”
I shrug. “Just because I wanted to.”
His smile turns into a grin, as his hand comes up to cup my cheek. His eyes flick to my mouth, and he leans in to kiss me, just a soft, press of his lips.
