“Library clerk,” Abel supplies.
“And the hunky mechanic,” Elsbeth leans in.
Carol simply nods. “Did good kid.”
“Had nothing to do with me,” I say.
“You sure?” Carol says as she peruses the boas on the wall. “Fate has a funny way of partnering people with exactly who they need in their life.”
“I think that might be true for us,” Abel says surprising the absolute glitter out of me.
Bette takes his hand. “Perry is the very best at making people feel like they’re amazing dancers. Even when we know he’s a liar, we love him anyway.”
I snort. “You don’t give yourselves enough credit. You’re improving every week.”
“We’ll just take your word on it. I’m ready to get my freak on,” Bette says. She leads her friends to the classroom and I stop Buckle and Abel from following.
“Ready?” I ask.
Abel nods, there’s a look of determination in his face. “I’m not going to panic. At least that’s what I’m going to tell myself.”
I drop my hands to his shoulders. “Do you know what safe words are and how to use them?”
“Not really.”
Buckle comes up behind Abel, and his hands join mine on Abel’s shoulders.
“They’re to help you maintain your mental health. Having a safe word is like asking for a time out.” I meet Buckle’s eyes and he nods. “If you need space, you can safe word. I usually use stoplight colors. Green for good to go, yellow for slow down. We can stop and talk things through and either go again or stop altogether. Then red is stop immediately. But we don’t have to use them.”
“They’re easy to remember,” Abel says.
“They are. How about we implement them? Tonight in class and whenever you need them. Do you think that will help?”
Abel nods. “I think so.”
“Good. Now. Let’s go dance with the Beta Bitches.”
“I’m glad it’s them,” Abel says. “They’re always fun when they come to the library for one of their weekly card games or whatever it is they do.”
I’m glad he’s comfortable enough to say it. I smack Buckle’s ass when he sashays in front of us. Abel giggles and I’m mesmerized by the way Buckle’s ass jiggles in the shorts. They fit him and I don’t doubt my costumes to stay in place, but I don’t think I’m going to be the only one that hopes for a bit of a show.
