but yeah, I went through all that, and he didn’t show! He stood me up.”
“Wait. Why did you have to skip dinner to have sex?”
Callum froze mid-bite, holding a piece of pizza at his lips, then lowered it slowly. “Oops. I guess I forgot who I was speaking to for a moment. This conversation is now over. How’s the…weather.”
“You were just in it. Why are you changing the subject? That’s not like you.” A low voice deep inside me reminded me how much I liked that I knew him.
He looked unsure, but said, “If you think about it, you’ll figure it out. And I don’t have to skip my meal. I was being proactive, and this is not the conversation we should be having over dinner. My fault, but I’d like to fix that now.”
The truth slammed into me like a battering ram, at first making me feel stupid for not putting two and two together, and then I was fidgeting in my seat because…well, because that’s not something I’ve ever had to think about.
“Oh my God! You shifted!”
“I didn’t shift,” I replied even though I obviously did.
“Don’t worry. Your butt is safe around me. It feels pretty fucking good, I’ll have you know. Please don’t get all bottom-shamey or weird.”
He stood and walked away, looking out the window with his back to me. I could tell I’d struck a nerve without meaning to.
“I shouldn’t have said anything. I don’t know why I did. I was just frustrated, and we’re friends, and I don’t know anyone else here the way I do you.”
My heart was beating like crazy then, like I was running a marathon while all these random thoughts collided in my head. That I was talking sex with Callum. That I felt…weird at the thought of him having sex with someone, and not because it was with a man; just that he was having it with someone, anyone. That he trusted me and felt comfortable with me. It was all making my brain spin, and I didn’t know what to focus on, so I chose him. “I would never shame you, bottom or otherwise. And I know my butt is safe with you.” That was something I’d never imagined myself saying. He chuckled softly but didn’t turn to look at me.
I walked over, stood behind him. He smelled like rain and wildflowers on a spring day—something uniquely him. It was a scent I recognized, a scent I knew, and I had never realized it was something I was familiar with until that moment. It was mixed with the soft musk of a cologne he didn’t usually wear, but maybe now did because he’d been meeting someone to have sex with.
“Hey,” I said. When he still didn’t turn around, I said it again, softer, with an unexpected plea in my voice. “Hey.”
Callum turned. He leaned against the counter, but he was still close, so fucking close. I hadn’t noticed I’d moved so near to him. “I would never shame you, and I didn’t mean to make you feel like I’m uncomfortable with your sex life. It’s just not something I’ve ever thought about that way, and it threw me. But you’re my friend, and you can talk to me about anything. Hell, you’ve listened to me enough.”
His eyes glistened slightly.
“Did I say something wrong?”
“No.” He shook his head, swiped at his eyes to dry them. “No, not at all. You’re a good friend, Knox. And like I told you before, you’re better at talking than you realize. It was just…a strange day. I had a much needed conversation with my mom, and then the whole preparing to meet up with someone only to be stood up. I’m being stupid. We’re fine. Let’s finish eating.”
He tried to walk around me, but I reached out, put a hand on his waist. Callum’s breath hitched, and I thought maybe I held mine. “You’re not being stupid, but yes, I want to feed you. I can’t believe you missed dinner for that asshole.” He looked up at me, and I winked.
“Fucking tops. They just don’t get it.” His voice was lighter then, more playful, but it didn’t sound real.
“Sit. Eat. And tell me what happened with your mom.”
So that’s what we did. We went back to the table, and he told me about their past—about when she found out he was gay. “And today was nice. We worked in the yard together. I swear this town is trying to kill me. But for