I chuckle. “Told you people go to jail when they hang out with them. But nah, they’re keeping their boxers on. No public nudity. Not here. We do have standards.”
Whit presses his cold lips to my temple. Not quite a kiss, but more like a brush of his lips against me. Iloveit.
“You can join them. If you want.”
I look up at him. “I see what you’re doing, yeah? You want to watch me strip. Dive under a wave and walk out wet. Probably a fantasy of yours.”
Whit huffs. “I just don’t want to hold you back, Caleb.”
“Nah. You aren’t. I’m fine right here. With you.”
It's late afternoon when we arrive home, and I’m exhausted. Had too much fun.
Flopping down on the couch, I unbutton my jeans and kick off my boots. My legs are sprawled out in front of me when Whit steps between them.
“What?” I ask, seeing the serious look on his face.
He seemed thoughtful after our time on the beach. The drive home had been quieter than usual, as if he was contemplating something. I didn’t pry either, even though I wanted to. Just let him have his silence.
“I like you,” he blurts and then tucks his hair behind his ear, his cheeks red.
“Aw. I like you too, Whit,” I say with a wide smile.
“You…you force me out of my comfort zone in more ways than one.”
“Good.”
“I just,” he sighs. “I’m gay.”
“I got that.”
“And you’re….”
“Didn’t we just discuss this? I don’t know what I am. I just know that I like being with you.”
Whit rubs a hand across the back of his neck and then shoves his hands in his jeans.
“I don’t let people in. Ever.”
“I got that.”
“I never meant to go so far with you, but…it got out of hand. You’re just irresistible. It’s obnoxious, really.”
“Thanks?” I say, biting back a smile. Whit ignores me, just barrels on. Like he’s rehearsed this. Probably had while we were driving home earlier. To be a fly on the wall of his brain.
“When we first met and you decided to move in, I thought it would be the perfect arrangement. You were straight and someone I’d never be interested in. You were messy and too masculine for my tastes.”
My brows furrow at that. “Okay…”
“But then you just…grew on me. And I couldn’t look away.”
He stops and sucks his lips into his mouth. The pause is so long that I wonder if he’s said all he wants, but he inhales and continues.
“I have issues. My family is one of them. There are other things as well.”
“Like?” I press, and he meets my gaze.
“I had a…cold, unconventional upbringing. I spent most of my life struggling with things like my sexuality and the fact that my parents…they didn’t love me. They still don’t.”