“Of course. Alexei’s place?”
I think about it – I’ve never had anyone but Alexei and Jamie over to my place, never wanted to. But if I’m going to build a support system here – and I am – then I think it’s time to start.
“Nah, we’ll go to mine.”
We headto the parking lot, and Jamie comes to a stop next to his Subaru.
“Have a nice dinner, ok?”
The confusion must show on my face.
“Aren’t you coming?”
He bites his lower lip; it’s cute as fuck and makes me want to do the same.
“I, uh, wasn’t sure if I was invited.”
I roll my eyes, the only possible response to this.
“Babe. You’realwaysinvited. Besides, why would Sutter and Matty want to hang out with me?”
He blushes at the term of endearment, which only makes me want to use them more.
“I just…I talked with Avery about our friendship, and how I really started blowing it as a friend once we started fucking, and I want to make sure you don’t do that with Alexei.”
I press my lips together. We’d spoken briefly about his conversations with Avery, but it’s clear he’s still hurting.
“Is that gonna be ok? With Avery?”
He looks at his feet.
“Yeah, I think so. He agreed to come visit in a couple weeks. I, uh, told him I’d make him the priority while he’s here. That’s…ok, right?”
I gently hold his chin, lifting it so he’ll look in my eyes.
“Ofcoursethat’s ok. And you’re right – Ishouldmake sure to spend more one-on-one time with Alexei. When we weren’t talking, I realized how little he and I had spoken since fall.”
He nods his head.
“Although, Avery does want to meet you…or interrogate you. I’m not sure which.”
I cringe slightly, sure thatinterrogateis the closer choice.
“Well, don’t you thinkmybest friend also wants to meetyou?”
He shrugs slightly at this.
“What about Sutter and Matty?”
“You told me they’d been good to you. That you wish you could have told them more. So let’s tell them more.”
He goes pale.
“Tonight?”
I shrug. I probably should have run this by him, but it just made sense in the moment.
“I figure we don’t have totellthem, necessarily, we can just…notnottell them. You know?”
