Page 39 of Grant’s Blaze

“So do it, goddammit. Set yourself free, Grant.”

“I don’t think it will be that easy this time.”

Now Elijah took a turn at the laughter, though it was more subdued than my sci-fi bad guy indulgence. “Bro, since when do we do things the easy way?”

“This is true. But I don’t think putting it out into the universe is going to make it disappear.”

“Try,” he encouraged. “I mean, what do you have to lose? It’s not like you’re going to get more tense, right?”

I’d been waiting for an excuse for my own side-eye fun. Here it was. “Why are you so invested in this?” I groused. “Don’t get me wrong. I’m lucky to have a friend so concerned about my well-being and stability.”

Elijah shrugged. “I’d like to think you would do the same for me. Holy shit, this traffic is out of control.” He slammed on the brakes as traffic grinded to a halt near the T-section at Santa Monica Boulevard. As the momentum of the car settled, he took advantage of the chance to meet the full intention of my stare.

“You wouldn’t even have to think twice about it,” I declared. “I’d be there for you.”

We bumped fists and then shook them out like our hands were burned from the contact. So immature, but we nodded in approval of our antics.

“Okay, before I miss a crucial turn, where are you staying tonight?”

“Would you mind if I stayed at your place? I realize I’m just inviting myself. If Shawna’s coming over, just take me—”

“Nah, she’s not coming over. At least, I haven’t invited her. To be honest, I should’ve never started with her.”

I snorted. “I seriously didn’t want to say anything, but—”

“You should’ve said something,” he bit out.

I winced. “Maybe I was hoping she’d mellowed about the obsessive stuff.”

He groaned while glancing between the road and me. “The sub frenzy is strong in this one, Anakin.”

“Yes!” I raised one finger in the air quickly like I was asking for the check at a restaurant. Just as fast, I dropped it. “Wait. How am I Anakin?”

“Don’t get me wrong,” he went on, deliberately sidelining my gibe. “The girl’s a wild fuck, and sometimes that’s exactly what I’m in the mood for. But I don’t appreciate people just dropping by unannounced.”

“Nope. You never have. Not even Bas or me.”

“That’s right. But like we were just saying, you know I’ll always have your back. I just want to have it on my terms. Does that make me sound like a giant dick?”

“You are a giant dick.”

“Pffft. But fair enough,” he said through a laugh.

“Speaking of your giant dick, though…”

“Sorry, honey. You’ll never taste that goodness.”

“Okay, now you’re just pitching this down the center of the plate, asshole,” I cracked. “But I was going to say, that’s probably why she’s sleeping in her car out in front of your house.”

Thankfully, traffic jammed again. The guy flung a stunned gawk in his moment of navigational freedom. “She’s doing what?”

“Hey, once you give them a ride on that freak-of-nature cock, they go all marry-me-eyes on you.” I fanned the air in front of my eyes while batting my lashes. “Oh, Mr. Baaanks! What a beautiful, giant cock you have!”

“The better to fuck you with, my dear.”

I tossed my head back in laughter.

Elijah joined in but sobered after a good half minute of our sophomoric antics. “Wow. That was some solid topic changing, Twombley. Good to know you haven’t lost your game. You never were one to be pressured into talking about something you didn’t want to.”