“I’ll have Remi send you the video.”
He snorts. “Want me to come over? While you tell them?”
“No,” I say, although I appreciate the offer. “I’ve got it. Was just washing up first.”
He hums. “Miss you, you know.”
My chest squeezes so fast it takes me a second to breathe past it. “Already?”
“Doesn’t take long. You coming home after?”
Home.
“’Course I am,” I answer. “Where else would I go?”
“I dunno. To your other boyfriend’s?”
“Other?” I question. “You really think I could handle two of you?”
Oakley laughs. “Actually, yeah, I think you could wrangle us just fine.”
“There’s no one else, and you know it,” I grumble in mock-affront.
He huffs another small laugh, but his voice turns serious. “Is that all right? Calling you my boyfriend? Or would you prefer something else to signify our together but…not-dating status?”
I let out my own soft huff. “Boyfriend is fine. Partner. I’m not picky.”
“Youarepicky, actually. About a lot of things. That’s why I’m asking.”
“And I’m telling you I don’t mind one way or another. So choose.”
“Oh my God,” he says, amusement heavy in his tone. “Are we arguing about this? Really?”
“Of course we are, Oak. We argue about everything. You’re the only goddamn person I argue with.”
“And why is that?” he asks, sounding endlessly fond if not a little curious.
“Because I care about you too damn much not to fight for what’s important.”
My conversation with my dad floats into my mind. I guess I’m a lot more like my parents than I maybe want to admit.
“What’s important,” Oakley repeats, his voice softer than before. “Which would be?”
“You need me to say it?”
“I kinda do.”
I blow out a breath, even as my chest warms. “You, Oak. You’re what’s important.”
“Huh.”
“Huh?”
“I think you, Lawson Darling, might really like me.”
I chuckle, even as my smile slowly slips away. I’ve never said it, have I? I’ve never actually spoken the words.
Oakley knows, though. Doesn’t he?
