"Don't."
That pulls me up short. His tone cuts and instead of breaking thetension it seems to multiply it.
"Just–" He pulls a hand through his hair. "I'm sorry, I just can't believe you didn't warn me about the party tonight! A little heads up would have been nice."
"Warn you? What do you mean? I invited you over while my friends were waiting for me in the lobby. You saw us all together tonight. How was I supposed to know you'd be mad about it?"
"You're right, you wouldn't have a way to know. Just, next time, give me a heads up."
"Fine." My arms cross as I concede. But our argument doesn't feel finished. "What else?" I demand.
He sighs. "I showed up in sweats, Duncan."
"I changed when I saw you!" I throw my arms out wide indicating my comfy clothes.
"You’re right. It’s fine." He saysfinelike I did a moment ago when things were not fine at all.
Fuck, this is so frustrating.
"You know what, sorry I totally bungled blending the friends with the benefits part. I thought you’d appreciate hanging out with the group but," I turn on my smoulder "if you’re really just interested in having me all to yourself, I can’t argue with that."
Rhys looks away from me as he runs his hand through his hair. "Yes. You bungled it. We bungled it. I did too. Because I don't want to be your friend."
"Ouch."
"No, I want to be yourboyfriend. I can't be just friends anymore. I like you Duncan, I miss you when you're on the road. Tonight I wanted you for myself. I wasn’t prepared to share you, share your attention, your joy, when all I wanted was to curl up in sweats and watch a movie with you."
My body turns as Rhys paces like a sunflower chasing the sun.
"You wanted to Hulu and Do You tonight?" I ask because he makes it almost too easy.
"Yeah." He huffs as he shakes his head.
"Oh."
"I had to be on all night." He twists the toe of his sneaker into the carpet.
"C'mon." I say as I slide a hand onto his waist. His body moves easily towards me and I turn so he can perch on the edge of the sofa.
Once he’s seated I drop to my knees in front of him. "Duncan, no, I want totalk."
I only stare up at him as my fingers begin to unlace his shoes.
The movement, the position, has me imagining what it would be like to have Rhys out on the ice with me for family skates. Hockey skates on his feet not fucking roller skates.
"What do you want to talk about?" I ask as I slide one shoe off and start on the other.
"Well, any response to me telling you I wanted to be your boyfriend?"
"Honestly?" I ask as I pause my fingers.
"Always."
"I think I’m into it. I mean, how hard could it be?" The words fall easily from my lips.
He doesn’t need to respond, he just smiles down at me as I place his second shoe next to the other.
I stand and, with his hand in mine, lead Rhys to my bedroom. Once inside I let go of his hand and start to undress.
