Chet cleared his throat noisily. “Um…okay. Would you believe I was home-schooled during high school?”
“Oh, yeah? Who taught you? I thought your folks were scientists like you.”
“They hired a tutor. I spent a lot of time in Mammoth then. My sister had already gone to college, so I was usually alone or with whatever parent wasn’t traveling for work. Thankfully I liked my tutor. He was a funny old man who’d worked for NASA in the seventies.”
“Huh. But I don’t like that you were alone. Why would they leave you?”
He smiled. “I was perfectly fine. In fact, I was probably safer here than at school. The bully situation was bad and—”
“Bully? Who bullied you?” I glowered, ready to kick ass for a fifteen-year-old offense.
Chet waved dismissively. “The usual suspects. Mostly lug-headed jocks and ruffians. It was the typical scenario. I was too smart and looked like a skinnier version of my current self…with braces. Supposedly, I dressed funny too. And let’s not forget that I’m gay and I’ve been out my whole life. I couldn’t have been a bigger target if I tried. I couldn’t fit in. It didn’t matter what I did, I simply didn’t understand teenage social cues. I never really learned how to talk about popular music or cool television shows. I just tried to be nice and hope for the best. It never worked out well.”
“Those fucking fucktards,” I growled.
“It was a long time ago,” he replied, setting his hand over mine as if comforting me for his pain. “I think that’s why I get nervous around kids and teenagers. Lincoln is great, of course, but we have a common interest.”
“Me.”
Chet chuckled. “Science. But yes…we have you too. For now.”
I studied his features in the glow from the fire. This man was stronger than he seemed. Mentally tough and unlike me, he’d never let the BS life dealt him harden his heart. He went out of his way to be kind and thoughtful…even when it scared him.
He humbled me. He made me believe there was good in the world beyond Linc and the insular bubble I’d created.
I didn’t know how to voice my awe or admiration. I was a novice at this sort of thing.
So I took the easy way out and changed the subject, reaching for the set of cards on the shelf under the coffee table.
“Want to play a game?”
He put his bowl down and shifted to face me. “Sure. What is it?”
“Cards Against Humanity. It’s the ultimate naughty icebreaker game. I played this with some college friends recently. It’s hysterical.”
“We can’t play this one. It’s for three or more people.”
“We’ll make our own rules. We’ll deal the cards and each lay down the best response. The funniest one wins.”
Chet pulled the deck out and examined the cards. His facial twitches were comedy gold. “This looks rather crude. I saw a checkerboard in the—”
“Let’s try this. If you hate it, we’ll move on to checkers. I’ll go first.” I cleared my throat loudly and read, “I’m in the prime of my life and filled with…blank.”
He bit his bottom lip as he chose a card. “Just one?”
“Yep.” I set mine down as I leaned in to read his. “Rainbows? Really?”
“And yours says…a big dick?”
“I win this round,” I declared, raising the card triumphantly.
“I don’t think so,” he huffed.
“My answer makes the most sense. You can literally be filled with a big dick, but can you be filled with rainbows?”
“No, that’s why I should win. Rainbows is a silly reply.”
“But which response is funnier?” I hummed thoughtfully, doing my damnedest not to laugh at his serious expression. “Gotta go with a big dick.”
“I disagree. Rainbows is a funnier answer. I win.”
“Fine.”
He reached for another card and frowned. He returned it to the back of the box and pulled out a second card, then a third. “These are…highly provocative.”
“That’s the point.”
Chet gaped in shock. “This one says, ‘My Growing Collection of Anal Sex Toys.’ ”
I cackled like a loon and held out my hand, wordlessly requesting the card. “You’re not supposed to read it yet, science guy.”
“Oh. Sorry. Um…” He raised his hand slightly. “I have a probing and somewhat libertine inquiry.”
“You mean you have a dirty question?”
Chet nodded. “Yes.”
I bit the inside of my cheek before giving in to my impulse to lean in and kiss him. “Go for it.”
“Have you ever used a plug or a dildo or…that kind of thing?”
I creased my brow as if mulling over a life-or-death query. “Yes, and it was fun. You?”
“Dildo, yes. I’ve never tried a plug, though. I’m not sure why.”
“Note to self. Buy an anal plug for Chet this Christmas,” I singsonged.
“Please don’t,” he chuckled.
“What do you want for Christmas?”
Chet cocked his head. “I haven’t really thought about it.”
“How can that be? You love the holidays.”
“Yes, but I don’t think about gifts for me. I don’t need anything.”