He’s huge with big shoulders in a perfectly tailored suit. I’m about to gun it out of the parking lot when he stops well in front of my car so I can see him through the windshield and a sigh escapes me.
It’s Lex.
What’s he doing here?
“Hey, rabbit. Are you alright?”
“Yeah. I was just going to get some coffee.”
“I’m glad that I ran into you.”
“You are?”
“Yeah, I was out and needed some coffee. This was the closest spot, but I don’t know what’s good. Maybe you can tell me.”
“I can! My bestie works here, so I know all of the best drinks.”
“Perfect. Will you come in with me?”
“Okay.” Lex is safe, so I roll up the window, turn off the car, and unbuckle. He opens the door for me like a gentleman, and I swoon, but then feel slightly embarrassed when he sees S’mores buckled in the passenger’s seat.
“Looks like you’re taking very good care of my gift.”
He seems pleased, but I’m still embarrassed.
“She’s very soft.” I reach back into the car. “Oh! And I happen to have your gift.”
“Thank you. Should I open it now or wait?”
I shrug and look down at the ground. I hope he doesn’t think it’s stupid. It took me a long time to get it right. I sketched the picture he liked of me with the lantern at the park, and I shaded it with pastels in muted colors.
He doesn’t say anything for a moment and just stares at the picture.
Maybe I fucked up. What grown-ass straight man wants a picture of a messed-up gay boy?
“You don’t have to hang it up or anything. You said it was your favorite,” I defend but then rush to assure him. “But that doesn’t mean you want a picture of me?—”
“Thank you, rabbit.” He pulls me into a hug. I freeze and then relax into him. He feels safe, and his smell reminds me of sweet cream. “I love it.”
“Really?!” I ask excitedly, and his gaze drops to my lips. They are really good lips, I get many compliments on them.
“I’ll put it on my desk at work.”
That’s makes my heart flutter, but also reminds me. “What do you do for work?”
He points to the coffee shop. “Why don’t we go in and order and I’ll tell you.”
11
LEX
Getting into Mitch’s place is just as easy as it was into Tanner’s. You think he would have gotten more security, or at least better locks.
Idiots.
I make it upstairs into his room, and he’s sleeping with the TV on. He wakes up when I shut the door, and I wasn’t expecting that, but this will be fine too.
He blinks a few times before his eyes widen, and he scurries back, falling off of his bed and into the corner.
